I'm getting a Severe Macaw!

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

This is my first post. I have a Pigeon, 2 Parakeets (can't touch them), A Sun Conure (my little Princess), & will have my Severe Macaw in about a week or so. He's still hand feeding. He's being stubborn about weaning. I have heard alot of people say never let them on sit your shoulder, why? I have been going to see Romeo (thats what I named him) ever week so he will know me & I always let him sit where ever he wants. Is that a bad idea? Hes very sweet. He never bites, not yet anyway. lol As you can see, I've never had a Macaw so any pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Crystal

[Captain Jack]

Welcome to Birdboard Crystal! Congrats on Romeo. I let our large macaws on my shoulder from time to time. I think it is personal preference, primarily pertaining to whether you want to take the risk of a bite near your face, eyes and ears etc...Especially since you can't see them up there, so you don't know what they are doing!

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Thanks for responding. I guess I don't worry about it right now cause he's so sweet & don't bite but I know that may change with age. He's still little. My Conure (Bonita is her name) likes to pick at my ear rings & necklace. I'm gonna have to start taking them off cause she has picked 2 of the diamonds out of my necklace already. She is molting right now & has become a brat. She keeps biting my ears, my neck, my nose, & whatever else she can get a hold of. She has a new thing about putting little holes in my shirt. Everyone says its cause of she's molting. She still plays & talks just as much as she used to thats for sure. Once I figure out how to post pics, I will. Crystal

P.S. I see alot of people have their animals listed at the bottom of their post or reply, how do they do that? I did enter what animals I have under the fids part in my profile.

[stepht25]

Originally Posted by Conure & Macaw Mom

P.S. I see alot of people have their animals listed at the bottom of their post or reply, how do they do that? I did enter what animals I have under the fids part in my profile.

I know this! (cause I just did mine today! ) Click on UserCP and then click on edit signature!

[radiogirl995]

Welcome to BirdBoard!!!
Congrats on Romeo...we'd love to see pictures when you take some. We're picture fanatics!

As for the names of your fids you can go into "User CP" up top there and change your signature to add your babies' names. For a custom avatar, you have to buy a subscription. (Well worth it! )


I do think allowing your bird on your shoulder is a personal choice. My grey, Tuki, is also just a baby still and you can see in my avatar that I let him up there for now.

From what I understand (maybe more than the molting) you have to beware of when your bird begins to get hormonal and begins wanting a little *love*
They could get a little rough on your face or ear.

Tuki loves picking holes in my shirts too...and I have stopped wearing all jewelry when I let him climb on me!!!

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Thanks to all. We are not 100% sure the Conure is a girl. But she just started the biting thing. Well, its more like pinching. She acts like she's a wild dog & I'm food. It hurts like h*ll. I don't know when they start to get hormonal, she was a yr old Aug. 25th. So she's still young. She loves to be loved on though. I was going to get a Grey but the breeder that I got my Conure from didn't have any. The eggs weren't fertile. She told me that she had a Yellow Collar but he was a rescue & still needed some work on manners. I went with the Severe. When I went to see him, it was love at first site. He even whispered LUV U in my ear when I visited with him on Sunday. It was so sweet. Does anyone know how to post photo's? I'm not the brightest when it comes to computer. lol

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

I did the signature thing. I'm checking to see if it worked. Crystal

[Big_Blues]

Changing any behavior once the bird gets into a routine, like sitting on your shoulder is difficult. A baby bird may not bite, but if they get scared or go though a teenage or hormonal phase, they can bite no matter how much they love you and it only takes once and when you least expect it. Of course it is personal preference, but my recommendation is to have a "safe" routine so there is less chance of future problems kinda like wearing a seat belt!

[Monica]

Another thing is that some birds become really cocky while up on the shoulder.... which includes biting of the face or head area, screaming in the ear, refusing to come off the shoulder once up there, etc. A bird who displays ANY of these behavoirs should not be allowed up on the shoulder UNLESS they play fairly and obey commands. It's a real issue though when you have a medium to large bird sittin on your shoulder and it doesn't plan on going ANYWHERE!

As for photos, I'm workin on it! In the meantime, you can view these two links!
Posting Photos
IrfanView Photo Editing/Signature Creation

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Thanks You have a very good point. I know my Conure can give a good bite when she wants to. Mostly when its time to go back into the cage & she doesn't want to. lol I can only imagine how Romeo's big beak would feel if he bit me. Ouch. Everytime I go to see him, he always tries to climb on my head for some reason or another. He actually made it the last time I was there. He just sat up there like he was a king or something. I took him down of course but it was cute. I work 6 days a week but only in the evening. I take my Conure out durning the day & usually at night before bedtime. SHe has a large cage. Its 5 ft high x 3ft long x 2 1/2 ft wide. She looks so small in it. lol I have a large cage for my Severe also, as soon as he can come home. It's over 6ft high x 4ft long x 3 1/2 ft wide. It has a playgym on top also. I'm only 5'5 so I have to stand on a foot stool to reach the playgym. lol I have all his toys in there already. Rope toys, swings w/ bells, chew toys, cuttle bone, etc. I'm going crazy. I have everything ready & no baby. lol I do go to see him every week but of course thats not the same as everyday