HELP!!!! New Green Winged Macaw.

jlhill7 · #1 08-24-2005, 12:24 AM

Hi Everyone. I would appreciate any feedback.

Recently a friend of mine new someone who had a green winged macaw that she needed to get rid of. I said I would take it. I love birds but have never had a parrot. Here is some of the problems and questions. Julie(macaw) is approx. 30 years old and is not hand tamed. When I went to get her she actually took a walnut from me. But since I got her home she is very aggressive and tries to bite you now. Also she is in need of a bath very badly. The lady told me that you use listerine in a spray bottle to bathe her. Is this correct? She had no toys or sand grit or a cuttlebone or a perch for her. Well I guess she had a wood perch. Her beak and claws are very long and her wings have not been clipped. Does anyone have any suggestions as to try and get her tame? I went today and purchased a perch to help the claws. Like I said I would appreciate any feedback. I dont know anything about macaws.

Mygala · #2 08-24-2005, 06:38 AM

Wow..

You have made a quite a committment there. I hope you are ready for some challenges, because it's going to get difficult before it gets easy. Anytime you get a new bird there are surprises.

But your lack of bird experience means just about everything will be a surprise.

At this point let me point out that you are going to have to adapt to some new costs in your life. This bird will take an enormous amount of time to tame and train to make a good pet. It will also cost a LOT of money to take care of this bird properly.

If you aren't up to these, I'd suggest that right off the bat ...it would be better for everyone involved ...ESPECIALLY the bird, if you were to find a good bird sanctuary and let them assess it and possibly rehome it with an experienced owner.

If you want to "give it shot", be prepared. It won't be easy or inexpensive (notice I've mentioned this twice now ... I really mean it!). And it might be painful.. If this bird bites you out of anger, he can send you to the hospital with broken bones, or in need of stitches!

Greenwings are the second largest of the macaws, and one of the loudest! A wild one like you describe, is a "handful". Possible one of the biggest challenges a bird owner could ask for... with some of the best rewards at the end ..if you have the patience.

At thirty, this could be an imported/wild-caught bird. That, or the previous owners lack of expertise would help explain the aggressiveness. It may never be a cuddly, friendly bird.

Give the bird about two weeks to get used to the new situation. Don't try bathing the bird, just give them their usual diet ...and try to act normally around it.

You want the bird to become accustomed to the new enviroment ...the new sounds, schedules, people, etc. Talk to it in a friendly manner, offer treats when you can, but if it refuses ...walk away. Giving more attention to "bad" behaviours just rewards those behaviours.

Your FIRST order of business: You need to find a good AVIAN vet (this is a specialty among vets). The bird needs a checkup right off the bat. Overgrown nails and beak are going to need attending to. They can be indicators of other problems (liver dysfunction for example). ..Problems that can only be detected by bloodwork and an exam. You aren't going to be able to deal with the nails and beak yourself.

A good vet ..one you are comfortable with, it essential to every bird owner. From what I've just read of the previous owner ...I'm not thinking they they took this bird to the vet very often.

Be prepared. An avian vet visit is expensive. A good. thorough checkup ...which is what the bird needs, is going to cost well over a hundrd dollars, maybe a good deal more. ...but remember, this bird is worh thouands of dollars. It's not that much by comparison.

What's more, a good vet can help with all the problems you are about to experience. He/she can advise on diet, caging, behaviour and other issues like proper bathing.

I can't emphasize enough how important the vet is to a birds welfare ...especially in your case, as you lack the experience to recognize the early onset of some of the problems you may face.

You have made a serious committment. These birds live for up to a century.

I've had bird for almost twenty years, and greenwings are a bird I've never owned (but wanted to) ...the oppurtunity has just never been right ... I envy you ..a bit.

Good luck,

And we'll be here if we can help.

Bob

Jodi · #3 08-24-2005, 08:01 AM

To be perfectly honest, I would never suggest an inexperienced bird owner take in a 30 yr old untamed Greenwing Macaw. It can be difficult for an experienced bird owner to tame and correctly care for a GW much less a newbie. Please be sure you're ready for all that this will entail.

Your first vet visit will cost about $300 or so. You will need to get a full blood screen and exam. The vet can also trim the birds nails, beak and wings. It's very important that you find an avian vet that has worked with big birds like macaws.

Bob covered a lot of what I would say... it's a huge commitment. But like he said, they can also be very rewarding. With a 30 yr old bird that is aggressive, it will take a lot of time, work & patience.

I have a large macaw (he's half Greenwing) and he's a handful... and mine is tame.

As far as a bath, since you're unable to handle the bird it's doubtful that you'll be able to give him a proper bath/shower. Please do NOT use listerine on your bird!! If your bird is a plucker, you can use an aloe mix in with the water but I would never use listerine.
If you want to try spraying your bird, don't do it quite yet... give him some time to settle in first.

What kind of diet is the bird on?

Please feel free to take a look at my website: www.ParrotTimes.com
I have some sections on diet, cage, grooming, etc.

thebigwoodgie · #4 08-24-2005, 02:32 PM

Hi,
I am new to this forum, but not new to parrots. I am owned by 25 parrots of all kinds :-) First, let me answer the question about bathing. DO NOT spray your bird with Listerine, That is ridiculous and unfortunately the person who gave you that advice was mis-informed. Simply mist your bird with luke warm water by using a spray bottle. At this point, evetry two to three days would be frequent enough.

The other advice that I've seen given by Bob and Jodi is EXCELLENT !! Step ONE is to get the bird vet checked. Please Note that they suggested an AVIAN VET. That is Extremely good advice! It is sometimes difficult to find a vet that is familiar with birds and it makes a great deal of difference.

A green-Wing is a heck of a project. I have a lot of experience with retraining tougher birds and it is a lot of work. I must say that there is nothing more rewarding than getting a kiss from a bird that previously would have ripped your face off but it could take years of care and patience to turn a bird around.

Your guy may take only a few weeks to adjust and then be easy to work with. Often though, a bird offers a "window of opportunity" to work with it when it is placed in a new environment. You can sometimes bond quickly and work with a bird sooner than later. It's tough to be sure how your bird will react without actually being there.

If I can help, let me know.

Bill

jlhill7 · #5 08-24-2005, 03:12 PM

Thank you all for your advice. I already have a vet appt next week. We live in a small town and the vet is 1 1/2 hours away. This will be a FUN drive. LOL. I love birds and have 5 children so I have alot of patience. I also found out a little more about the bird. She first was a breeder. Then the lady I got her from got her about 20 years ago. She never really worked with the bird. She has always used listerine to bathe. But I didnt think that sounded good. So I have not gave her a bath yet. Also I have a friend who has a Scarlet and she is coming over tomorrow to look at her and give me some advice. I also asked her if this dont work out would she possibly take her for me. She said yes. She has 15 years experience with macaws. I want it to work out and will give it my best. But somethings are never meant to be. Well it sounds like Im on the right road. Thank you all for your advice. Oh for diet. I have her on Large breed parrot mix that I got at the pet store. I give her fresh fruits and veggie everyday. Also she gets whole walnuts and peanuts. She usually has a little of whatever we had for dinner to. She dont always eat it though. Loves Mac and Cheese and pizza. Had to laugh last night. Gave her some mac and cheese. She ate it all then held up her bowl and screamed come here. So maybe were gaining. Already warned all the kids that they are not to touch her and put there hands in the cage. Also showed them a parrot bite off the internet.

Mygala · #6 08-24-2005, 06:49 PM

Let me just add that in NO WAY should you ever use Listerine on (or in) a bird. ...ever.

I forgot to mention that, and Jodi's post reminded me... (Thanx Jodi!)

First things first, the vet and then after his/her assessment of the birds condition, a trim of nails, beak AND WINGS (you don't want a potentially agressive male flighted ..trust me on this) ...then you can ease into the rest of the stuff.

Be sure to ask the vet about diet. I recommend any good pelleted diet as a base, with a lot of supplementation of veggies and whatnot.

Good Luck..

ob

jlhill7 · #7 08-25-2005, 12:07 AM

Hi again. Some new info. I guess Julie had a companion that passed away 2 yrs ago. Tonight I let her out of her cage for about an hour she just sat on the cage saying "come here" and "hello" and "walnut" so I fed her a walnut. She is gaining trust. But definately to early to really work with her. Her beak could really cause alot of damage.

Mygala · #8 08-25-2005, 06:13 AM

Sounds like you've gotten off on the right foot.

Sorry things seem jumbled in the above posts, it's because of the moderation of your first few posts. I didn't see your second post or the fine post by thebigwoodgie when I made my second post.

Let us know how the vet visit goes. Even though I have pretty strong feelings on diet, I'd wait awhile before changing anything. You need to gain the birds trust ...then you can work on other things. It's likely the vet vistit will be a minor setback in gaining her trust. Just give it time ...sounds like you have the patience for it..

Bob

jlhill7 · #9 08-26-2005, 12:11 PM

Ok all. I am so excitied. My son who is 15 was talking to julie last night. When he got up to go to the other room she yelled at him to come back. Then she would try to find him. When my son came back into the room she said Hello. I felt this was a great opportunity to go the next step with her. So my son actually got to touch her. Then he sat on the couch and she actually got off her cage and went and perched on the couch arm with my son. I think were gaining trust.

thebigwoodgie · #10 08-27-2005, 03:35 PM

Hi
That is Fantastic!! This is the time I was talking about earlier. He is giving you a window of opportunity as we like to call it. He is feeling you out. This is a great time to begin slowly working with him!!
Have Fun,
Bill

jlhill7 · #11 08-27-2005, 05:33 PM

Any suggestions to the next step?

thebigwoodgie · #12 08-28-2005, 03:53 PM

Hi,
See if he will allow any touching or "scrootchin" on the back of the head. What I always do when working with a bird is ask him first. I usually ask "May I give you a scrootch" while holding my hand in front of the bird but far enough away that hje can't get a hold of a finger. The bird may not have a clue what you are doing and to come from behind for a scrootch never works. You have to be confident in your approach, but you must also be mindful of his body language.
The ideal body language and something that would let you know if your guy knows what a scrootch is would be for him to pick up a foot and hold his head in it while cocking it slightly while fluffing his neck feathers. It looks like he's holding his head in his "hand". If he does that, cautiosly scrootch the back of his neck. If he is molting as many birds are this time of year, stroke him lightly with the grain of his feathers. Just like petting a kitten. Just don't go lower than the back of his neck. Don't touch his back that has sexual meaning for a bird and it could illicit a bite if he's not into it :-)
Even if he gives you the "go ahead" to scrootch, be careful of a sudden change in his demeanor which could indicate a bite on the way.
Do all this while talking to him calmly. DO NOT look directly into his eyes. Just glance at him sorta non-chalantly. Actually, you have to look non-chalant but still be cautios at the same time. Looking directly at him will make him nervous. In nature a stare from another bird or animal is taken as an aggressive act.
Anyway, try to approach him and see what he allows.
Let me know,
Bill

fantastic!