Re-Homed Macaw - Need Help. . .

[CGBirdRescue]

Hello Everybody.

I re-homed a macaw - Blue and Gold - banded on the left leg. She is very sweet if you have food, are filling her dishes or giving her a treat. However, she is 17 years old and has only been out of her cage once in that 17 years (when she was young - like 1 year old young). (I say she cause I think she acts female like). She does not let you touch her, pet her and is deathly afraid of many household objects. She was not abused by the people I re-homed her from but I know nothing of the owners before that.

My question is - since I have not re-homed a macaw before - how do I start the trust process with such a large bird since she is deathly afraid of gloves, towels and such - mind you we DO have three coclatiels here and 2 cats.

My 2nd question is what is an appropriate way to introduce new food to this fid who is currently on a majorly limited diet. She wont eat anything new. I have tried birdie bread with stuff (veggies) mixed in, I tried veggies straight and also fresh fruits and such. Any help appreciated.

Thanks so much! Cynthia of C&G Bird Rescue

[amesoto]

Hi Cynthia...regarding food, Lambert is very similar. I put Lambert at the table with us at dinner and he gets very curious and will try new things. Lots of quiet talking and singing and treats will help build trust. Good luck!

[Valo's Moirana]

regarding the diet - i would just continuously offer fresh food or birdie bread or other alternatives. just give it to her, let her check it out.... but watch her, if she doesn't eat, give her some of the food she's used to - you can also mix it up. i'd be persistent, but make sure she eats and keeps her weight. you might also be successful by offering her fresh veggies and fruit as treats or toys (string up in the cage or use a kabob stick).

regarding the taming - i'm not sure i have the time to list all the suggestions. i also have to admit that my experience with macaws is limited. here's one though - just yesterday i talked to somebody from the gabriel foundation about nino, my shy peach-front. and though he made progress over the last 3 months, we're still not approaching the state where he would step up - i don't even expect him to be touchable. she recommended getting the dvd by barbara heidenreich (her first dvd includes demos of how to use positive reinforcement for taming). the girl i talked to is very experienced with macaws (she owns 4, and works with lots and lots at the foundation). she highly values the approach and told me that she found it extremely effective....

just to clarify : i'm not trying to run an advertisement show here as i don't benefit at all... this is what i was told, and i'm gonna give it a try (ordered the dvd yesterday, but you can also download selected clips from the website for a smaller amount)

maybe this helps..... good luck, and i think it's wonderful that you're giving his birdie another chance!

[texbird]

First, it CAN be done. One of my rescues is sitting on my arm as I type this. It took about 6 months to get her used to being handled.

But it takes patience and will probably take months of very gradual progress.
You need to check out some of the books and dvds available. A not here is not sufficient to cover all you need to know.

The general idea is to take micro-steps that very gradually get closer and closer to the contact you want. The steps are so small that the bird doesnt notice the change and so remains calm.

good luck

[texbird]

p.s. I think a fearful bird is actually easier to train than an aggressive one because you the trainer can more easily remain calm which is what is needed.

[KimM]

I agree on the food introductions. If you eat or pretend to eat what you want her to try, she'll be more likely to take a taste. This always works for my macaw. They're curious - especially about food - and they'll want to see and/or taste what you have. This may also build the trust in general.

As far as what she is afraid of, let her watch you touch whatever she is afraid of and tell her in a soft soothing voice that it's ok and it won't hurt her. I tried this with Newton on toweling and would put the towel to my face and say "Awww" . Now he does the same thing...LOL. They copy their flock in the wild, so if you do it, she'll figure out its ok for her too.

[birdsnreps]

i got one tip for ya, never, ever show any fear of the bird, even if you get lunged at and bitten. their beaks may be very large, but usually you just get pinched and its not bad at all.

[KellyA]

Cynthia,
How wonderful of you to have given the B&G a new home !! I too have just adopted and B&G this past Sunday. Gizmo is 11 years old, he (well, that's what we think he is, a guy ..hahaa) Not really sure, he never has had a DNA done. I have told several friends how old he is and everyone has said.."why didn't ya get a baby?" I just tell them..cause we didn't want a baby. People that say things that dumb really get on my nerves. Older birds need love and homes too. Gizmo's previous person had gotten really sick and could no longer car for her birds. She had Gizmo, two cockatoos, a scarlet, & green winged macaws and a caique. (how awful for her to have had to give them all up). Anyway.... I'm sure it will take Gizmo time to get to know us, we have already heard him say, "I love you" and "Hello", and he lets us open the cage door and rub his head, which I was very surprised he lets us even do that. Hopefully your new sweetie will come around.

[Flockof10]

I rescued Bo, my scarlet macaw almost 3 years ago from a store. When I went to pick her up, she would not come out of her cage, I had to dismantle her cage around her. It took about 8 month before she reliably would step up out of her cage. She is a good eater though. I can only tell that it takes a lot of time and patience to rehome a macaw. I think macaws are more stubborn then other birds.

[ljhassell]

All of our Macaws are rehomes. I wont buy a baby- too many on the market, that need homes and patient, forever people willing to go the complete distance with them. I dont regret any of what we have done, it is always for the individual birds best well being at the foremost importance. We have paid out of pocket for bird- vetted, provided all needs and have many times turned around 6 months- to a year(s) once tame/ managable and placed with people we thought were best suited- at our loss, but for the birds gain. We go on the birds pace and never ever push- They all deserve respect and unconditional love.