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biteable
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
13 Posts |
 Posted - 06/27/2005 : 10:54:12
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hi every1 im new to the forum and new to having a macaw.I already own a h/r cag and in time planned to get a baby h/r g/w but my other half decided to surprise me last weekend and get me an adult bird.He is apparently 3 yrs old and parent reared and never been out of his cage as the previous owners were scared of him.Hes not wild as we can stroke his tongue through the bars but then he lunges he will come out of the cage but has to be towelled to get back in.Ive tried to get him to step up on a perch but he realy doesnt have a clue he just attacks it.Yesterday as he was coming out of the cage he was eyeing up my arm and i got the distinct impression he either wanted to bite me or step onto my arm as i was only in a vest top i put my thickest coat on and allowed him i got a few bites 1 hard enuff to feel and the others were soft im just wondering do you think he was just feeling as surely he would have done damage if he wanted to,please help i long for him to be tame like my grey but unfortunetly his beak does scare me,also are they well known clowns everytime i feed or water him he tips the bowl over and wears it on his head any help or advice would be greatly appreciated thank you
allison
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spddy
Top Gold Member
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2005 : 21:14:23
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Use your other bird to show him what to do.
when you get you cag out make sure that you have a playstand or perch close enough for your greenwing can see through his cage.Be doing your step up commands to your grey and then try it with your gw. He'll pick it up after a while with time and patience.
phillip |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2005 : 01:30:18
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Allison,
FIRST WELCOME!!! I just love to hear from bird owners who are taking in these wonderful birds and giving them loving homes. GOOD FOR YOU! A HUGE WELCOME TO YOU!!!!
I agree with Phillip about letting your new GW see your Grey in action. These guys do learn by example, after all their "parronts" are the ones who teach them everything they need to know in order to survive. Now that you're the new parent, it's up to you! Use your Grey (from a safe distance) to help educate your GW.
Yes, the GW's beak is very powerful, I know. LOL. But don't fear it, just respect it. :) The problem with wearing heavy garments and/or gloves is that it often makes them even more eager to bite out of curiosity alone. They want to test the fabric, see how heavy it is and see what the reaction is when they bite it. Once you take it off, they may bite just as hard as they did when you had it on, expecting you to react just as calmly as you did in your coat. Ouch!
It sounds like you are going to need to start from scratch here, teaching the basic step-ups.
When I am handling birds that are new to me, I use a biting deflection tool. The "tool" is simply a toy or a colorful long piece of wood that the bird can easily bite, grab and hold.
The tool should not be anything that looks frightening or that causes the bird to want to attack it, it should be something fun!
While it's fun for the bird it actually protects me from being injured. I hold the tool in my left hand while stepping the bird up with my right.
I place the tool right under the bird's beak and sort of use the tool to guide the bird to where ever I am going to put him.
If the bird attempts to bite me, I simply block the bite with the tool, allowing the bird to bite it all he wants while I am still in control. I make it sound like it's a game, "Is this your toy? Are you playing with your toy? Let's go over here so you can play with your toy."
Using this method I can walk around with the bird without problems or injury. I will sometimes stop and talk for a few seconds but if the bird seems a bit too aggressive, I just guide him to a play stand (for example) and set him down.
Next, I ALWAYS give him the tool to play with. I believe this helps him understand that the tool is nothing to fear and nothing to question or panic about when he sees it. To him, it's just another toy. I don't always use the same tool and sometimes I have had to just grab something quickly and simply make it work. Again, talking and making it sound like a game takes the pressure off of us both.
Whatever you do, do not let your GW climb on you. I strongly agree with your hesitation to do so. If I'm not careful, my GW will attempt to jump on me and that's where the play biting can turn into a problem because he just gets so darn excited!
I will hold my GW and I'll scratch him and play with him and even let him sit on my lap but if he attempts to climb on me, I stop him. I need to be able to manage him so neither of us gets hurt. I will tell him, "Momma is not a tree. If you want to climb on something let's go climb on a tree instead." 
When I am holding them on my hand I keep birds from attempting to climb up my arm by holding on to their feet fairly tightly. They can struggle if they want, leaning any direction they want but they are not able to climb around on me. If necessary, I'll keep my arm extended further out, to prevent them from trying to grab me with their beak. Again, most of the time this is just fun to them but for me it's just too risky especially when dealing with new birds.
I would just take this very slowly and earn your bird's trust. It's a two way street. Does he have a play area? Trees, gyms? Remember that GW's love to play and have a great deal of energy to burn so keep him as busy as possible!
We have members here who have taken in mature Macaws so you have come to the right place for help and support so please do not hesitate asking questions or just kicking around some ideas.
Congratulations and thank you for opening your heart and home to one of these birds!!!
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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biteable
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
13 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2005 : 06:07:13
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Thank you ever so much for your replys,yes i will try using chalky to teach willl to step up.I did actualy have a break through last night he was out of his cage and i got some valuable play time with him in which i manged to stroke his back and under his wings i presumed he liked it as he was purring at me maybe hes picked that up of my cats but i tend to purr at him.He will now imitate blowing a kiss to me as i do this frequently to him.Yes he does have a stand but a gym im off looking for at the w/end he doesnt tend to use his stand tho he was sat on the windowsill last night when i tried with him.Still no joy with the step ups last night again he just bit the perch but i think he thought it was a game as hed throw it and id pick it back up,he did raise his foot once to grip my hand i rewarded him for it but i dnt no if he was trying to grip me to bite me,dnt get me wrong he turned his head a couple of times but either he didnt want to bite or i was to quick.Hes learnt i try to blackmail him to go in his cage so that fails now i did attempt twice to pick him up but it didnt work but i think that was mainly my fault,in the end i towelled him then treated him once he was back locked up(poor thing)But a definate improvement like you said its a two way street but i feel both our confidence is growing daily thanks again for your help
allison |
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Toy
Top Gold Member
USA
390 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2005 : 11:37:55
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Allison:
My B&G, JaJaBinks, came to me at the age of 2 years old. She had spent most of her life stuck in a small cage, no toys, etc. The owners could NOT handle her period. She didn't know how to step up. She was fully flighted. She lunged like crazy & ACKED so much I thought my ears would bleed, LOL. So I sat & watched her. I studied her body language, sounds, etc. I soon realized she would learn to trust me quicker if I gave her FREEDOM. So out of her crate she'd come in the morning & spend ALL day, until bed time, on a playgym. She loved it. Since she had also had been kept in the dark most of the time I sat the gym in front of a window with the curtains pulled back. Her cage now sits there & she can see the back yard, the main street, our neighbors, etc. Your parrot must feel like it's cage is it's safe place. Cages should not be used as punishment. JaJaBinks puts herself to bed each night around 8:30. Depends on the time of year, etc. I can let the door open 24 x 7 & hse stays in or on her cage 99% of the time. Only time she gets off it is to come looking for me at meal time. She has food on the brain, LOL.
The most important thing I have learned is to 1. Respect them for what they are. They are one of the creators most beautiful & intelligent creatures who need to feel respected. 2. EXPLAIN everything to them. They need to know the why/what/how/etc of everything to feel safe. So tell the bird why you want it to come out of it's cage or go in. Why you want it to sit on the playgym, why it needs a shower, etc. Introduce things to it like the sofa, chairs, table, frig, playgym, etc, by taking it on SLOW walks thru the house & explaining as you go. Touch everything so it knows it won't hurt it. Parrots learn these things from their parents. Since they can not be there to teach it what is safe & what is not you have too.
Also you must always approach the bird with full confidence otherwise it will sense your fear & act out in aggression/fear. Lunging is a parrots way of saying..."you're invading my space & scaring me go away!". Do NOT go away. Stand your ground & just talk to the bird. Let it know it's in a safe place, etc. Once it realizes you aren't going away & it is in a safe place it will slowly start to accept new things. There are times JaJaBinks still tests me. If she lunges, etc I say "oh stop it" & just ignore her. She knows I'm not afraid of her.
Acting silly, singing, dancing, using a up-beat voice, playing on the floor with toys, eating in front of the bird or sharing food all helps to earn the birds trust. Once you do there's no turning back. Life with a Macaw is beyond words.
Take things slow & go one step at a time. The first thing you need to do is teach the bird to step up. Make a fist, tuck your thumb in & place your arm/wrist in front of the birds feet. Gently nudge & say step up over & over in a firm, but not shouting voice, until the bird does. Make sure you do NOT move your arm until the bird has placed both feet on & is has a firm grip. If he feels unstable then he will fear stepping up. Reward the bird by telling it "good bird". I find phrase works best over food rewards. One note....many macaws prefer to step backwards onto arms, gyms, perches, etc. So if forward doesn't work try placing your arm behind the bird. Try to plan training sessions when you are NOT rushed. Parrots, especially macaws, do not like to be rushed.
Now to the perch/gym....could be there's something on it he is afraid of? If it's new to him he could just be afraid of it. Set it near his cage so he can see it. After a few days he shuld realize it won't hurt him. Also everytime you walk past it reach out & touch it. This shows him you're nto afraid of it too.
Macaws LOVE to swing. So try placing a swing in his cage. Mine has a swing a the high center perch. Actually all 3 of my parrots do & they sleep on them too. I have a boing on the Parrot Tower, a swing/boing/rope/orb & tree in my outside aviary. JaJaBinks will get on any of them & want me to swing her or she swings herself & then yells WEEEEEEEE. She's so silly :).
The "purring" or cooing as I call it is one of the sounds they make when they're content. The also make low growls, and what sounds like rolling "R's". ACK sounds mean they're afrid/scared. There's the play/atack toys scream, warning scream, and several others. Once you learn the sounds & what the bird is trying to tell you then it makes it allot easier to work with the bird. Takes awhile, so be patient.
JaJaBinks was out front this morning watching the contractor bust up the sidewalks with a sledge. She was SOOOOOOO excited. She loves adventure :). Last summer she was right int he middle of the contractors ripping up the street & laying new sewer lines. She got to sit on the front end loaded too, hehe. She goes to the Harley Club, picnics, etc. She behaves extremely well.
Raising & teaching parrots is allot like teaching a 2 year old human child new things. I talk to my parrots like I would a small child. I have taught JaJaBinks to go back to her cage on command (clipped or fully flighted - if clipped she walks back), lift each foot to be wiped with a wet cloth after eating messy foods, wash her beak with a wet cloth, give kisses, Big Bird (wings up & she says the words), dance, etc. If her previous owners could see her now (4 years later) they'd want her back. NOT!! She's mine & she's staying here as long as I'm alive.
Hope I've been able to help some,
Toy
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. |
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biteable
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
13 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2005 : 14:36:50
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hi toy thank you ever so much for your reply i realy appreciate it,Wills likes to spend alot of time in his cage at the moment the door is open all day but today hes chose not to come out i spose i can only respect his wishes.Well done in training your bird i hope i have as much luck like everyone says its just time love and affection but im sure we will get there in the end.Glad you cleared up the purring noise for me like i said i thought he was happy but always better to have a 2nd opion especialy someone with experience like yourself.Will is fully flighted as well not that that bothers me my cag was clipped before i brought her home but once they grow back they will be there to stay.One question i forgot to ask is about moulting like i said my cag is only young and hasnt gone through that.Wills tail feathers are extremely tatty and i can see quite alot of what i would call downy feathers also new ones coming through i presume this is normal anyway thank you ever so much again and i will go on taking each day as it comes bye for now allie
allison |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2005 : 01:08:49
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HI Allison,
Gw's often mess up their tail feathers because they are so darn busy playing that they seem to forget about those long tails following them. :) Yes the molt sounds very normal!!
Hey, just one more thing to add (Toy always gives such great advice) but give that destraction tool a try so that you can have your bird step up on to your hand without having to wonder whether he is attempting to bite or not. With the destraction tool, it will not matter.
Hey, you are doing a wonderful, wonderful job with this bird!!!!! WOW, hugs and scratches already? You are obviously on the right track. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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Toy
Top Gold Member
USA
390 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2005 : 07:55:38
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Allison:
JaJaBinks went thru severe molt last year. She molted out almost ever feather on her body! All her long tail feathers fell out at the same time too. She was rather short in the butt feather department, LOL.
Some do mess up their tail feathers during play. Cage bars are hard on those long tails. I only have a few toys in her cage & those are placed mostly ont he sides of the cage to allow more room for her tail. Perches are placed so her tail doesn't hit from above. I've been lucky that JaJaBinks takes such good care of hers. Increases in heat will cause them to drop allot of the down feathers at one time too. As Angie said the molt sounds normal.
Wills is staying in his cage because he feels safe there. Keep working with him each day & as time goes on he'll come around. Try to find things to get his curiosity going. Lay a blanket or sheet on the floor & put some toy parts on it. Sit with your back to him & play with them. Act like you're have so much FUN. Macaws can't resist FUN. Since he's never really been handled or played much it may take some time, but once you unlock his curiosity LOOK OUT, LOL. Macaws are clowns in featherd suits & they just love to play, go on adventures & just have fun.
If I grab JaJaBinks beak & kiss the side of her face (love that soft skin) as soon as I let go she laughs :). A happy macaw will show you it's happy by acting silly, laughing, etc.
Also ignore any behavior you consider negative, like screaming, biting, etc. Phrase him big time for any postive behaviour.
Toy
Toy
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. |
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biteable
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
13 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2005 : 17:45:05
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hi toy hi angie well just a quick run down off the last couple of days bought will loads more toys balls baby keys etc but he doesnt seem yo interested with them .I will have to make more of a big deal deal of playing with them myself lol he doesnt seem to be in such a good mood as the other night hes been quite the opposite actualy,hes been out alot on the play stand at night but as soon as i approach him hes been quite aggressive with me do i ignore this behaviour or tell him no in a firm voice?ive basicaly played it his way and left him alone after he lunges for me i dont know if this is right also as soon as i enter the room today a few times hes screamed quite horrificly at me,i spose after having such a good night the other night i got a bit carried away and thought it would get easier maybe hes just testing me to see if he can intiminate me i dont know,anyway its great that i have you here to share these times thanks again.Im off looking for some bowls to screw to his cage tmw as he keeps tipping his food and water over i have seen some on the net but i will try local,i cooked him pulses and rice tonight but hes decided not to eat it although hes eaten his fruit along with his normal food will have to try to get him to eat veggys tho as he doesnt seem to like them either,well its late here now so i will close for tonight and look forward to your replys thanks allie
allison |
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Toy
Top Gold Member
USA
390 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2005 : 23:28:30
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Allison:
To get him to eat veggies remove all in cage foods after he's had his last meal for the night. Let the water in his cage. First thing in the AM place a dish of veggies in his cage & let them there no more than 3 hours. Then remove the veggies (toss them out as they now have started growing bacteria) & replace his normal in cage dry foods. It may take many attempts before he'll look forward o his veggies, so keep trying. I like to place veggies in a dish on the cage grate so my birds have to climb down to eat them. This can also be helpful for future training to get the bird to come down.
>>hes been quite aggressive with me do i ignore this behaviour or tell him no in a firm voice?ive basicaly played it his way and left him alone after he lunges for me i dont know if this is right also as soon as i enter the room today a few times hes screamed quite horrificly at me<<
I'd just ignore this type of behaviour. He's testing you. Also ignore the screaming. If you respond he will assume he's being rewarded for doing it, i.e. he got your attention & you reacted.
Try to work with him each day, several times. Keep your sessions short, no more than 15 minutes. He still needs time to adjust to his new home, surroundings, etc & learn to trust you.
Toy
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. |
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biteable
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
13 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2005 : 18:30:38
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wow i things things are getting better will actualy come to me off his cage tonught where he was lke a proper baby he let me stroke him all over and realy enjoyed it but while i was tickling him he looked like he was regurgitating why do they do this?I think hes finaly realising what no means im not having half as much lunging at me either.Over the last week we have changed his diet and started to give his some supplements so maybe thats helping as well.While playing tonight he kept giving me his foot so maybe this will be the 1st step in his step ups,he did step up on the perch tonight once when i needed to get him off the net curtain but i think it was more accidental than meaning to anyway its a great start so lets hope its the beginning of better things to come anyway just thought id share it with you all as im like a big kid at xmas at the moment im so chuffed
allison |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
 Posted - 07/09/2005 : 00:00:22
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HURRAY GREAT JOB!!! Allison, this is wonderful!!! You are doing SO well with this new bird. Everything you said all points to the fact that your bird is starting to trust you and LOVE you!!!
The regurgitation is the ultimate sign of LOVE. Your bird is letting you know that he feels comfortable around you and thinks of you as part of his family!!!
Now, I do want to ask about the supplements. Are you also feeding pellets? Keep in mind that you don't want to mix the two.
Keep working with him, you are making terrific progress and so FAST!!!
I am so happy for you and your entire flock!!! 
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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biteable
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
13 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2005 : 07:45:52
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hiya couldnt have done it without all your support to keep me going no he isnt on pellets he doesnt seem to like them got him on a mix of good seed some from the website doubledutch and the others from birdline a parrot rescue group here in the uk as well as fresh fruit and veg,will keep you posted of how we go on still not much luck on the step up he just keeps offering his foot but i feel hes going to curl my hand into his mouth then i get a little edgy even tho i try not to
allison |
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Toy
Top Gold Member
USA
390 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2005 : 19:15:37
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Allison:
He needs to feel safe standing on your arm, so if he senses you're unsure he will be too. Just offer your arm & hold very still until he has both feet well planted. Then ever so slowly move your arm. He will need to adjust his balance while you move. After a few times he'll learn how to balance himself. His biggest fear is falling.
I noticed you stated you were from the UK. Is he clipped on one side only? I know that's pretty much how you do wing clips in the UK. It can cause a balance problem, especially in a bird that's never dealt with stepping up/down, as they use their wings for balance. In the USA we clip both wings, so they have less problems balancing themselves. Again keep trying & working with him daily.
If your not feeding him nuts you need too. Parrots, especially Macaws require them daily in their diet. Almonds are the number 1 nut to feed, followed by walnuts, Brazil, Filbert, pecan. Peanuts I really limit as they're really high fat & can contain bacteria. I offer a mix of in shell nuts daily. In shell nuts offer them 3 things. 1)nutrients only found in nuts. 2) foraging. They have to crack them open & get them out to eat them. 3) cracking/chewing the shells open helps to keep the beak worn down.
JaJaBinks gets a few pellets now & then, but she's not crazy about them. Her daily diet is nuts/veggies/dry seed mix/fruits/some table food.
Keep up the good work :)
Toy
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. |
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macawdreams
Forum Admin
610 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2005 : 23:52:43
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Hi Allison and Toy,
I want to make a suggestion here. This is just MY opinion:).
Instead of offering your "arm" so your bird can step up I suggest you offer your hand. The reason I suggest this is because it's much easier to manage your bird. If your bird steps up on your arm, you have no control. He can run up your arm and jump on your shoulder in two seconds. This can be dangerous for the both of you.
So when your bird raises his foot I would step him up on your hand and keep the "tool" I mentioned in your other hand.
I do agree with Toy about the fact that if you feel on edge your bird will feel uncomfortable too. Try and relax. The "tool" will make you feel more secure because, again, you stay in control.:)
wing hugs!
Angie R.
Macaw Dreams Site Owner
"The future of Macaws starts here" |
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biteable
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
13 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2005 : 17:30:00
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hi quick hello before i go to bed havnt had alot of time with will today played but didnt spend serious time together as got both the children ill with tummy bugs,so havnt got to offer him my hand or arm yet but will do,just scared incase i end up needing stiches lol.Hes definetly come on he rarely goes in his cage any more and ike i said loves a tickle can even do under his beak.No he isnt clipped at all a lot of people over here dont believe in clipping but i think its up to the individual our cag was clipped when i bought her but once they grow back fully which will be fairly soon as her flight is getting better she wont be done again,but the too and the macaw are fully flighted.He does have a fair few nuts but trying to get them in there shells here at this time of the year is pretty hard although i have my eye on a hazelnut tree.Right will close for tonight and get some sleep before the children awake again,thank you ever so much again take care
allison |
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greenwing macaw
