Posted by Joanne Abramson (63.193.14.253--cacheflow.mcn.org) on February 24, 2000 (or so) at 08:46:33:
In Reply to: Smell( odor) from scarlet Macaw posted by Jacob M Mwanzia on February 24, 2000 (or so) at 08:04:33:
: Dear Sir/ Madam
: I have a friend who recently acquired a Sacrlet Macaw as a pet bird and he his keeping it indoors however he says it has a charactersitic smell and he can not stand. My questions are as follows:
: is the smell/odor normal in macaws?
: And if it is normal what can be done to reduce or eliminate it?
: Are there products in the market like shampoos and fragrances that help
: Thanks
: Jacob Mwanzia
Never use shampoos or fragrances on a bird. Mist them with warm water only.
Macaws are not known to put out an odor. However, some pellet diets cause their fecal matter to make an odor.
I would suggest that if the bird smells when away from the cage, a light misting with warm water. if the smell occurs near the cage that the diet be changed to a mor enatural seed, nut, fruit and vegetable one which could help the bird and the owner significantly.