scarlet vs blue and gold Macaw

[Tamk]

Hi,

I am new to this list and I joined because I need some help. I have been looking for a blue and gold macaw for a while now. I want to get one that needs a good home not get one from a pet store. I thought I found one. The people that rescued him don't know if he is going to be ok or not. He eats well but will not get off the bottom of the cage. They said he seamed ok when they first got him but with in a weeks time he starting acting strange. He does not move around very much but like I said he is eating good.
They said they did blood work and it all came back good. They had him teated for worms and treated. They beleve that he is a young bird about 2 - 3 years old. Any ideas what might be wrong?
The reason this post said scarlet vs blue and gold is because I wanted a blue and gold because I have heard so many good things about them. Since they can not figure out what is wrong with the blue and gold they have they have offered me a scarlet macaw that they have that needs a home. he/she they have not sexed it yet - is in need of a home because the woman that had him did not have enough time for him and now he is plucking himself bald. I have heard that the scarlets tend to have a bad tempermant. What I want to know is that true. How would you compare a scarlet to a blue and gold in terms of being a good pet? I have had large birds before but this would be my first macaw. I have a lot of time that I will be able to spend with it so that will not be a problem. I want a bird that will want and need to be handled. I want to make sure that I do not jump into anything. I want what is best for the bird and me.

Tam

[Tamk]

I posted a few pictures of the blue and gold. They are listed as - sick? I don't know if you can tell anything from those pictures or not. The white on him is from the other bird they have him with going on him.

Tam

[Tamk]

I do not have the blue and gold. I have been trying to get the people that have him to give him to me. I told them I have a good bird vet that is willing to take a look at it. They said that they have been rescuing large bird for a long time and that they feel that the bird is acting this way because of the fact that it was moved. They seem to think that the stress of a bird going to a new place is what is causing this but I feel it has been going on way too long for that to be the problem. What I don't know is how I can convince them to give me the bird now. They said I can have him when he is better but I know that without seeing a vet that will not happen. That is why I asked for some help with what might be wrong with it. I am already in love with this bird but how can I help it if they won't let me have it!!!!!!!!!!!???????????

[Jan in MD]

As hard as it sounds to do, I would walk away from this bird. You are setting yourself up for heartache. I don't mean to be harsh, but this is not your bird, and the people that have it are going to do what they want. It obviously is ill since it is not perching. What can you do? Are these people supposed to be a "rescue" organization? If so, they seem a little shady to me. But, if the bird has been seen by their vet and they are trying to get it well, only time will tell.

You have done your best by trying to get advice here. Go and find a healthy bird to bring into your home as a pet.