I'm a proud new Mom!

[Mom's Animal Preserve]

I'm so excited! I attended Phoenix Landing's Parrot Luau Adoption Event this morning in Alexandria, VA and I came home with my new foster-to-be-adopted Severe Macaw, Calvin. I've really had an empty spot in my heart since I had to let Niblet go and I had been wanting to take in a rescue bird, so I went up to the event to see if there was anyone there that melted my heart. This little guy did! He did great on the ride home and was talking and whistling to me in the car from his travelling cage.

His little chest looks like a plucked chicken, but I think he's beautiful. He's quite the charmer too. He's already talking for us. He says "Calvin", "Hello", "Oh Crap!" (yes, he did say that when I spilled some of his water), "I Love You" and "Step Up". The rescue said that they think he's about 2 years old.

He's been eating since I got him home and now he's napping, so I guess those are all good signs that he feels comfortable. We haven't had him out of the cage yet, I thought I would give him some time to get acclimated tonight and then take him out tomorrow.

I'm hoping that he hasn't permanently damaged his follicles and that some or all of his feathers will come back in. It looks like there are some getting ready to poke through, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. I would love to get some info on the "plucking" remedies that you all have tried and what your thoughts are on the different kinds. Even though he's only my foster right now, after six months, I will be able to adopt him and I want to do all I can for him.

I will post some photos once we've had him out of the cage so you can see my little beauty.

[malcomb88]

PICS PICS MORE PICS! lol. im so happy for you. you also have quite a little zoo.

[Tom Lawless]

I can't wait to see pictures of Calvin. Those Severe Macaws are great birds. I hope it works out for both of you. I have not had to use the stuff but I've heard people say good things about "Pluck No More". The Kings Cages people make it. Other than that I don't have any worthwhile advice. Good luck and have fun.

[Mom's Animal Preserve]

I am very happy to say that our first half of a day with Calvin has been really good. I was worried that he wouldn't feel comfortable, but he seems to be doing great. Every time I walk back in the room where he is he says "Hello". I LOVE that little voice greeting me! He gets up to the top of the cage and hangs from one foot while flapping his wings (they aren't spread, he just flaps his "elbows" against his body) and while he does this he says "I love you", "I love you". OHMIGOD! I am absolutely in LOVE!

My family and I went out for dinner and when we came back he said hello and then kept repeating "Calvin Step Up", "Calvin Step Up". His previous foster parents said that he does this when he wants to come out of the cage, so I opened the door and he kept saying "sTep Up" until he got out of the door and then stepped up onto my hand. He hung out on the top of the cage for a bit and stepped up onto me a few times. My hubby and I fed him some of his favorite treat - sunflower seeds - from our hands to get him used to us and he was GREAT. He didn't want to step up for my Hubby yet, but he wouldn't step up for me at the Adoption Fair either. I guess he just needs some time to get used to us both. I really think it's great that he feels at home so quickly. It's certainly better than I expected on the first day. We also finally got to hear him screetch a bit. He did it a few times when i left the room. I wonder if he's already chosen me as his person. Are the Severe macaws "one-person" birds? I'd love for him to be comfortable with both my husband and me. At least enough the my hubby can take him out and put him back in the cage if I'm not home. Calvin did take sunflower seeds from my hubby, but backed away when he tried to get Calvin to step up on his hand.

Oh, and when I went to cover him up for bed, I told him "Nite Nite Calvin" and he said "NIte!"

OH MY GOSH! Can you tell I'm happy? I just hope it stays this way. :)

[ndeben]

Wow! at story with a happy ending.. aaaawwwwwwwwwwwww

[kellywess]

I have had to use the "Pluck No More" with my Severe, "Marvin" who is currently still on it... "yes" it does work. Congrats to you and Calvin. Severes are a bit of a handful but very sweet to the person they attach themselves to. Yes, they tend to be one-person birds. We have had Marvin since he was just a few weeks old, we hand fed him, weaned him... the whole bit. He tolerates my husband and has good and bad days with him but basically hes mommas bird.

[papayamama]

Glad to hear he's doing well. You have a big heart! Can't wait to see pics.

[Mom's Animal Preserve]

Originally Posted by papayamama

Glad to hear he's doing well. You have a big heart! Can't wait to see pics.

Aw schucks.... you made me blush!

I'm going to check into the "Pluck No More" today.

Photos to come soon.....

[KimM]

Oh I can't wait to see him. I love the name Calvin. How cute! Sounds like quite a little character. Too funny he said OH Crap when you dropped his water.

[Mom's Animal Preserve]

Here they are! Isn't he beautiful? I can hardly noticed that he's plucked a bit.