Macaw owners .... advise please..

[Suz Stickville]

I would appreciate some advise on how to approach and handle a 6 month old B&G.....

I will be going beck to pet store either later today or tomorrow ..... my bf wants me to handle/hold the B&G.....

I am TRYING to over come my fear of macaws and any advise would by very helpful.... I can pet this baby but am very leary of holding.....

BF is REALLY interested in the baby .... am trying for both thier sakes...

Suz

[Ringneckmom]

If you are leary of the beak then I would find out what kind of treats the bird likes and try giving them to him with your hand and talking to him. As you get more comfortable trying rubbing on his head or stroking on the back. Then if you are comfortable enough try to have him step up on your arm - it does not have to be long and you don't have to rub him or anything - just step up, sit there until you are ready for him to get down again and leave it at that.
This does not have to be all in one visit - take your time and get to know the bird and let the bird get to know you. It might take several visits before you actually really handle him. Just take it slow and at your comfort level.

Don't let your BF pressure you into something that makes you really uncomfortable. He needs to respect how you feel and let you take it at your own pace.
If you are trying to work with the bird then that should say a lot to him that you are willing to try.
Some people are never really at ease with a large bird like that. That is the beauty of so many different species of birds - there is normally one out there for everybody.