upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I recently welcomed a Macaw into our flock. He will be a yr old next month. I know they can challenge their owners, and setting boundaries is very important early on. I've waited 2 yrs before finally committing since bird ownership brings huge responsibilities. After reading some of the posts I do know it's a touchy subject but he is a hybrid. I personally will not breed for hybrids of any kind, and did not out right purchase this boy. I do try to respect everyone's differences despite how different they might be from my own. So with that said I'm basically here seeking advice, and wanting to learn like everyone else with purebred macaws. I researched the Scarlet's, and know since my boy is a produce of a breeding with a Scarlet he has the potential for being nippy. I'm dedicated to giving him a forever home no matter what path we go down together.
My question is this: I'm teaching him the step up command with a perch. He steps up pretty much every time now. He does get a little obnoxious though. He opens his beak and tries to pinch. I'm not having any problems with intimidation by this action. I just move my arm to make him loose balance slightly and tell him a firm No. I reward his good behavior with Almonds which he LOVES plus give him lots of praise for being such a good boy. I don't put him right back into his cage when he does this so was wondering if I should be doing this in addition to the above. Mind you his cage is one big play gym! He's also learning how to play on his own. We haven't had any issues with screaming out of the normal I'm happy to be alive call a couple times a day. I'm wanting him to learn how to play on his own with out demanding my attention 24/7. I hope I'm on the right path with out boy. Which BTW is named Sobe.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The hybrid thing don't faze me. Birds are birds. Not their fault they are here. A pretty little cast off Harlequin lived with me for several years until a bird friend came over and Shadow just FELL IN LOVE with Lori, so now they are a team

The most important thing when getting familiar with a macaw and setting boundaries is to NOT be afraid. If you are hesitant and anxious, they feel it immediately and capitalize on it, i.e., go for the nip. Then again, we have to respect their moods and there are times when they do NOT feel like coming out and they let me know it. I have scars from living and learning, and I still get nipped from time to time from not paying attention or having to be in a hurry. They can always sense when you are either distracted, anxious or apprehensive. They can also sense when you are in control and mean business. You have to be firm and kind and confident. That's the hardest part. And also the bleeding. Not fun. Sometimes my scarlet is just in a foul mood and he does NOT want to play or be scratched or held. Fortunately, he has the luxury of having that option. I just leave him alone and go play with someone else!

It's sort of a sense you develop, an attitude, a confidence that turns into an effortless skill. I can't tell you "how" because I don't remember or know "how" and everyone's "how" is going to be different depending on your personality and your bird's personality. But you do get bit. You also learn how to NOT give them the opportunity to bite and deftly maneuver your way around. No fingers first! Forearm, fingers curled in, thumb tucked in! Move confident, firm, keep your face, eyes and ears out of beak reach. Praise when good! I call it learning a dance. Nobody can teach you the steps, but somehow your feet and body begin to "move to the music" and it flows. Takes time. And band aids. My first macaw I worked with for months. I knew NOTHING, I mean NOTHING about do and don't and somehow Blew and I stumbled through and made it

Congratulations!


Joanne