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.

[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

[Macaaaw]

I have just one real word of advice for a bird that will not get off of the floor:


Veterinarian.


Blood work (a twenty dollar mail order test) is not what is needed for something that sounds like what you have here. Are the feet attached to the proper bones correctly? For heavens sake!

Get the bird to a vet ASAP.

A downed bird that is offered a twenty dollar test and given a fifteen dollar shot or pills is not being "Rescued."

If you get the bird and take it to a vet with your checkbook, then the bird is rescued.

Today is Sunday. Some vets are open Sunday. At 8am, start calling around. If it were my bird, I would have the problem well in hand way past a test and a wormer.

I guess I should say welcome to the forum. I am talking sternly about this because any bird sitting at the bottom of a cage needs help. Get some help to this bird one way or another. Please.

[RMSacha]

Originally Posted by 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.

I totally agree with the above posts on this matter!

As for the Scarlet, they can be wonderful pets! They're smart, loving, and extremely loyal... perhaps to a fault! They don't have "bad temperments" it's just that people expect them to be like a B & G or a GW...and that is simply not the case!

My recommendation in this—let your first bird be a B&G, they have a lot to offer the first time macaw owner and have so many excellent traits!

Good luck!

[Riley0527]

I have to agree with the above posts.

I have b&gs, scarlets, gw, hybrids, hyacinths and they all have different personalities and traits. I think Bob is right B&G's are great birds and will make a great first time macaw owner.

As for a sick birds...always bring him to the vet.

[Winged_Victory]

This bird needs to be seen by an, "Avian Vet", to determine what is wrong with it and why it is not perching. If this is a physical condition the bird needs a good home with an experienced owner willing to take care of for many years.

Blue and Gold VS Scarlet, we have both and feel a B&G is a better choice for a first bird.

Please make sure the bird in the pictures is seen by an avian vet!!!

[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!!!!!!!!!!!???????????

[ReneeE]

The Blue & Gold is a sick bird. Period. Birds generally do not get worms unless exposed in certain situations and this is on the rare side. My thoughts are this lady took the bird to a vet that mostly deals with dogs and cats. It needs to be seen by an AVIAN vet who knows and deals with birds and not dogs.

The Scarlet has been exposed to who knows what and is at a high risk. I hope when you returned home you did not walk thought your house with your shoes on but stripped before entering the house and immediately washed the clothes and proceded to take a shower. You bleached your shoes also I hope. If you have other birds, they could well be at risk from the exposure and need to be watched carefully. If any show any sort of suttle sign of illness, even weeks later, you need to take them immediately to an AVIAN vet, giving your full history of events. Please remember, birds hide illnesses because in the wild if it is known they are ill they become the next meal for the predator.

Please do not visit other people who have birds or pet shops if you had not decontaminated yourself upon arrival home as you could very well pass something on to other birds which could very well result in death.

[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!!!!!!!!!!!???????????

[Sami]

I cannot believe that the people that own this bird don't get it! Since when does a bird stay on the bottom of a cage? What type of vet are they taking this poor bird to? I own two blue and gold macaws and I can tell you that this bird should NOT be on the bottom of the cage. I also know that blood work does not necessarily mean a thing. I suggest this bird go to an avian vet because something is drastically wrong. I bet this bird doesn't live more longer if they don't get it to someone certified in the avian world.