New Severe Macaw

[Billysgal]

Well now I am a proud owner of a severe macaw-his name is Cash and is 21/2 years old. My husband really thinks I am a basket case as we have 2-Cockatoos 2-Amazons--2-lovebirds--a cag-a quacker and now a macaw!!! I enjoy all my birds as they are all a joy to have around. But he thinks I have flipped because I got anoither one!!! We just built a bird room so they are all out of their cages and have ropes and chaines to climb on. They have only been in there own room for 3 weeks so they are just now getting used to it. Cash is still in the living room for awhile or at least until the vet sees him and he gets a clean bill of health!!!! The bird is still very shy around me so I am taking my time with him --he does like to bite as I found out!!(the hard way)so he can have the space he needs for awhile!! Any help in getting him settled in will really be helpful--Thanks Kathy

[MiniMacMum]

Kathy,
Hi, can you add more about how Cash came into your home? Is he only shy around you? Was he tame & friendly before he came to live with you?
One of my Severes was given back to me about 2 yrs. after this couple purchased him. They had a baby & just didn't have the time for him any longer. They couldn't understand why he screamed so much. They got to be afraid to let him out of his cage. They said he bit too much & screamed too much. Of course I took him back. He sure remembered me!!! To this day he doesn't scream. He screams at himself to shutup all the time even though he is only talking to himself. He used to like my hubby but now he won't let Rick hold him, but will play with him & bite a bit. He still tends to be nippy at times even though he's been here now for almost 2 yrs. But he is a sweety. I love this guy. Tells everyone "Hello" just not everyone can hold him. Severes mostly become 1 person birds. There are some Severes out there who will go to anyone. My Severes will go to both my hubby & me. Well one of my females won't she is my bird only. My daughter who is 18 can hold Dudley my older male. He loves her. It may take some time for Cash to come around but it is worth the wait when he does. I just wanted to know more on his back ground.
Pam

[Billysgal]

I got Cash from a young man who no longer wanted to take care of him --he said he didn't have the time for all his needs, Today he seemed to be better at least he /she let me pick it up and pet it for some time. He will go to my granddaughter(18)but she has a way with animals--she works at a vets office to bad he doesen't take care of birds though--lol-anyway Cash(which I am not crazy about his name and might be changed somewhere down the line)is 21/2 years old and looks to be very well taken care of he has really pretty feathers --the green on him just shimmers!!! He will go to the vet this next week for a check and some tests.Cash has only been here for 3 days so I am not pushing him to do anything-I am very pleased that he did step up for me and let me pet him-seemed like that was a good step!! I do know he does need his beak trimmed but I will not try that--his wing feather are long but he can't fly yet--will have them trimmed also-seems he takes good care of his nails as they are not to long nor sharp. That is about all I know about him --he did say Hello but the man said he had not said that in quite some time-so guess we will have a learning lesson on how to talk--lol. Will keep you posted on how he does and when I figure out how to post pictures I will post some of all my birds.
Kathy

[MiniMacMum]

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Kathy,
Sounds like it's going good so far. All my Severes like to play peek-a-boo. They all say it too. They also like to chew a lot, so I suggest you get plenty of wood toys. Keeps their beaks in good shape. It would be great to see some pics of all your birds. Yes, stepping up was a giant step for Cash. Keep us posted. :icon_smil

[MiniMacMum]

ok, so how does the font stuff work???? I am computer illiterate.

[Franciscus]

Kathy,

I would nor wait too long to start working with him as he may have unwanted behaviors (such as the biting) There is a window when a bird moves to a new home where new patterns in behavior can be established. Always reward good behavior, never punish. If he does something he should not he should be told a firm NO. When handling him it may be a good idea to have a foot toy, small piese of wood, or food items (such as green beans) in your hand to put in his beak if he starts to get a little beaky.

Originally Posted by MiniMacMum

One of my Severes was given back to me about 2 yrs. after this couple purchased him. They had a baby & just didn't have the time for him any longer.
Pam

Good for you to take him back. It just burns me when people get rid of a bird (or any other companion animal) when they have a child. What are they planning to do when they have another baby, give up the first one 'cause they don't have enough time?

I'm going to go to my birds and remind them again that they are with me forever...well, untill I'm no longer of this earth anyway.

[kp_in_scott]

Originally Posted by MiniMacMum

{FONT=Comic Sans MS}xxx{FONT}{COLOR-DarkGreen}xxx{/COLOR}
Kathy,
Sounds like it's going good so far. All my Severes like to play peek-a-boo. They all say it too. They also like to chew a lot, so I suggest you get plenty of wood toys. Keeps their beaks in good shape. It would be great to see some pics of all your birds. Yes, stepping up was a giant step for Cash. Keep us posted. :icon_smil

Pam,
Type your message. Then highlight the Whole thing. Then select your color. If you want to change the font and the color. You do one, then highlight the WHOLE thing again and select the next thing. If you miss highlighting just 1 little letter, it messes up and you have to start all over. Hope this helps.

[MiniMacMum]

Ok, I'm going to give this a try. Thank-you so much Kim for explaining the font & color stuff.

[Winged_Victory]

Here is a picture of our Severe "Kashi". He is a little shy but really a sweet bird and talks in a whisper. He is best friends with our Caninde "Mango" Your little guy seems to be doing real good!

[MiniMacMum]

Hope this works. Here is a pic of Shilo the Severe that I got back after the couple had a baby. He is a bit over 4 yrs. old & was hatched on Halloween. His feathers were even rougher looking after I first got him back.