Guy has a attitude problem

[guy's gal]

I rescued a 5yr old Severe Macaw 6 months ago. We have tried real hard to find the right balance between giving him his own time and space to adjust to us, and handleing him as much as possible so he knows we're no threat to him. He has come around alot since I brought him home, I can now hold him and give him kisses ( when he's in the mood to deal with me ) but he still tends to be very aggressive most of the time. I was wondering if this is something he will overcome in time or should I just expect this to be the norm for him? I also have the chance to be adopted by a 11yr old B&G and am wondering about bringing in a new bird with Guy actting the way he is? Any advise would be GREAT.

Thank You,
Guy's Gal

[Franciscus]

I think it's great you have adopted an older bird, and are thinking of another. All birds have moods and it would be best to read Guy's body language before handling him. He should be stepping up politely and not biting though but as far as the cuddling and giving kisses go, my birds are not always in the mood for that and they were relatively young when they came to live with me. It'd be best to ignore the bad behaviour and praise the good behaviour. When he is out with you and is being good, praise him and give him a small food reward. Also make sure he's getting enough sleep. 10 to 12 hours is what birds should be getting. I know I'm pretty cranky when I don't get enough sleep. I think the relationship will improve with patience and understanding. Parrots are long lived birds and six months is really not that long.

As far as adopting the blue and gold goes, I don't think there would be an issue with your Severe. There is always a possibility of the birds not liking each other but I think most birds do prefer to have another bird around, even of a different species. If the blue and gold is more affectionate with you than it may inspire Guy to be more affectionate also.

[guy's gal]

Thank you to those who replyed. The encouragment helped alot!!!
It's been a real learning experience with Guy but it's been worth every minute ( and drop of blood ) lol. Guy and I have been together for about 9 months now, when I first got him he hated me but tolorated my husband and daughter. Now, Guy and I are pretty close. He still reminds me when he's not in the mood to be messed with but now he let's me kiss him and he'll kiss me back I can even hold him upside down and blow on his belly, this is a HUGE step from the bird who would draw blood if you looked at him wrong. I just can't wait to see how far we'll be able to go in the next year. Anybody reading this who has a mean bird or knows someone with a mean bird, please have patience and don't take the easy way out. There were times when I would just sit and look at him and wonder what the heck I thought I was doing, I should just get rid of him, he's just a bad bird who will never get better at least not with me but then one day he got on my hand and didn't bite for blood. Now we have a real relationship and I love him sooo much.

Thanks again to those who helped me, I couldn't have come this far with him without you guys!

[Carbonproduct]

Originally Posted by guy's gal

I rescued a 5yr old Severe Macaw 6 months ago. We have tried real hard to find the right balance between giving him his own time and space to adjust to us, and handleing him as much as possible so he knows we're no threat to him. He has come around alot since I brought him home, I can now hold him and give him kisses ( when he's in the mood to deal with me ) but he still tends to be very aggressive most of the time. I was wondering if this is something he will overcome in time or should I just expect this to be the norm for him? I also have the chance to be adopted by a 11yr old B&G and am wondering about bringing in a new bird with Guy actting the way he is? Any advise would be GREAT.

Thank You,
Guy's Gal

I'm not a bird guru, far from it, but i read like 89 parrot books before I took my 1year old B&G home. Maybe i learned at least one thing or two. Let's start with the one thing. It seems parrots live a long long time. It seems they take their sweet time about "EVERYTHING" (sort of like a ZEN experience or LIFE IN SLOW MOTION) Maybe 6months to them (a parrot) is like, a minute in human terms. I know my B&G still doesn't seem to recognize me, or doesn't want to let on that he does, and I've had him 8months now. I'm with him 24/7. I'm not exsagerating. Maybe he's sick of the whole thing about being a parrot. I figure, if he's going to live, like, 100 years longer than me, I can wait a little longer for him to accept me as a human companion. Hopefully by the time i'm still lucid. My advise is, take it slow. Slower than even possible to recognize. He will trust you sooner or later, and TRUST is the key word. Trust just seems to take forever in parrot land. Well, i hope that helped. My parrot is giving me a dirty look so i better leave here to tend to his "HIENESS"..Seriously, I feel so used sometime. He-he

[Lungfish]

I have had my Severe "Max" since he was being hand fed. He's now 5 years old. I would say for 3+ of those years he was a very hands off bird with a 'don't mess with me' attitude.

I don't know what changed but the last year or so he has gotten much more people friendly. He loves my 11 yr old son, is almost as fond of me, and now tolerates my wife. At night he gets off his play gym and comes to sit with us on the couch when we watch TV.

I've heard birds go thru a terrible 2's stage. I believe my Severe did but now that he gotten past that age he is a very sweet and lovable bird.

[Lungfish]

I guess Guy didn't work out. I saw him up for sale in the Bird Board Classified section.

[The Outlaw]

I'm gonna say this again. When you have an aggressive or frightened bird that is not making progress, consider the intensive love method. I used it on my Chi Chi when I had him for only a month and he's like an appendage to me now. He will step up so fast I swear you can see little cartoon dust blurbs.

Sometimes a nervous bird just does better when the decisions aren't his to make. I know that sounds crazy, but just like people, sometimes its the control issue that's unnerving.

I simply wrapped Chi Chi in a towel, kicking and screaming and biting all the way, and talked sweetly to him. When he relaxed, I put him close to my chest and he simply let go. I stroked his little head and removed a lot of pins that hadn't been touched. He was estimated to be about 3 or 4 when I got him. He hadn't been handled much, apparently. I only had to resort to toweling 3 times.

By the third time, I dropped the towel in my lap and he simply climbed up on my shoulder (I don't recommend that, but he did). He hasn't refused my company since. In fact, I seem to be his favorite toy. I think that once they realize that you aren't gonna eat them, they can let their "hair" down and enjoy the new relationship.

I hate to see these little guys go from home to home. My Severe is a favorite here at **********. He's talented, funny, very cuddly and just a beautiful little bird. If it weren't for his occasional screech session, I'd have a house full of them. I think that they get a bad rap because they just require a firmer hand than many folks are prepared to deliver. Frankly, if I had to trim my flock down to only a few, he'd make the cut.

As to adding a BG, by all means do. Just understand that they WON'T be buddies. I have YET to meet any other bird that wants to buddy up with a Severe OTHER than another Severe.

THE OUTLAW

[Winged_Victory]

[quote=
As to adding a BG, by all means do. Just understand that they WON'T be buddies. I have YET to meet any other bird that wants to buddy up with a Severe OTHER than another Severe.

THE OUTLAW[/QUOTE]

Now Nancy you know that a Severe can like other birds . Our Severe Kashi, loves one of our Blue and Golds Victory and will do anything to either be caged or on a stand with him for a day. Kashi shares a cage with another blue bird our Caninde Mango. I want to add that has taken us time to get our birds used to each other so they can share housing. Our opinion is birds like other birds and can be with each other if they get along. This does not work for everyone!

Gary

[The Outlaw]

Jodi:

I've watched my Chi Chi happily try to befriend every other bird here. They all start out liking him, but within a few weeks they absolutely despise him. I think he lacks "bird" skills.

THE OUTLAW

[Lungfish]

My Severe will let my Blue Crown Conure near him but he does not like my Hahn's. The Hahn's though is a little demon, full of mischief. Paco will run up to another bird and bite the birds feet.