catalina macaw

[DebraB]

]My friend just bought a 3 mos Catalina and is wondering if the bobbing of the head is a normal expression? I personally have a double yellow and he never exibited that behavior as a baby any info as to different actions of a baby would be appreciated.

[The Outlaw]

A three month old baby macaw isn't weaned. Its a sign of a hungry baby bird. I hope that your friend knows how to handfeed. If not, it MUST go back to the breeder or handfeeder.

[DebraB]

The breeder apparently sold it to the pet store and that is where she bought it. I have been around this bird and she/he is absolutely precous. I had a feeling it was a baby action. No need to worry about this bird it will have the best of everything. She did contact the breeder and he supplied her with the proper food but she is doing just fine. For fyi purposes what is the proper schedule for feedings?

[The Outlaw]

Has your friend been taught HOW to handfeed? Its more complicated than you might think. Most folks use a special spoon or feeding syringe. If you don't know what you are doing, you can easily kill a baby bird. You have to know which side to feed from.

Macaws require a special feeding formula. It is higher in fat that normal bird formula. I used Kaytee Exact for Macaws. You need a good digital scale (gram scale) to check the baby bird's weight daily. As for how often to feed, I have to know the baby's age in days, not weeks. That is how you determine proper feeding schedules. Most of the larger baby macaws (BG, Scarlet, GW, etc) take about 5 months to fully wean. Some wean early at 4 months, but they aren't reliably weaned then. If you are correct about this baby's age, it has another month to go before you can even expect it to be fully weaned. Watch out for breeders who tell you to just feed without showing you the proper way to feed. Frankly, its unethical and very upsetting to me. Its possible that this baby has fully weaned, but not very likely. Even weaned baby birds often regress when they go to their first home.

Please provide the age in days and I'll look up the feeding schedule for you.

[Lori L]

VERY upsetting! Thank goodness she is in a good home and you fully understand the magnatude of this situation. You also MUST know that whoever your friend got this bird from, is either VERY unknowledgeable or VERY unethical and just out to make a buck. There are bills that are trying to be passed to make it illegal to sell an unweaned bird.

[DebraB]

Thanks for all your input and I totally agree, I was upset that she bought the bird, not that she isnt capable but that it was an impulse. She has always wanted a bird but I feel she should have researched before she bought. Since she purchased Tequila she has started to read everything she can find. Tequila is eating many things besides her baby gruel which she is only getting twice a day, I can not stress enough that this bird will be a very lucky bird to have chosen such lady to raise. Thanks again for all your concern.