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I need help. I was contacted several months ago by a rescue organization to retrieve 2 B&G Macaws from a horrible situation. The female macaw was plucked and only had a few down feathers left. The birds are around 7 years old and had never had a perch in their cage. They would hang on to the bars of this make-shift cage they where in. I have had the for a bout 9 months and after nmany trips to the vet and lots of TLC and thr right foods they are very healthy and happy. the only problem is they still hang on the side of their cage. i have many perches of differnet shapes and sizes in their cage but they just hang on the sides. Although they are not tame I try to get them to perch on a play gym but they always jump to the floor and run away. To get from one side of the cage to the other they climb across the top hanging upside down. Does anyone have any suggestions??

4 B&G macaws
1 Scarlet Macaw
1 Congo Grey
2 Military Macaws
2 Alexandrines
2 ringnecks
2 Blue crown conures
1 budgie[/b]

We have a B&G rescue that was 2 yrs old and never had a toy, and only had a 1 inch pvc pipe to perch upon. He has a deformed toe and it took him a while to adjust. I think maybe in time they will use the perches, but they will do what has been natural for them and thats hang on cage. Other than to hang toys along cage walls to encourage perch use- Im at a loss. Mickey has been with us for about as long as you have had yours, and it is still a trust earning adventure. I accept that he/she is safe and well cared for but may never be a petting bird and We are okay with that. Isnt it a amazing what people do to parrots.... Sad

You could try putting a nut on the perch so they have to get on the perch to get it. Even if falls or they knock it off trying to get to it, it's worth a try. If they do get on the perch for that nut and it falls you should have one handy in your hand to give to them right away. Then praise what a good bird they are.

They wont sit on the perches because they are afraid of them... they are new to the birds thus it would be like putting a cat into a bird cage. They don't realise that the perches wont do them any harm, and besides, they are already used to things as they were.

If either are tame by any measures, it may be easier to show them that the perches are not harmful... such as handling the perches themselves, stroking them, loving on them.... or even having another bird (macaw would be best, but any would do) do ladder on two perches.

Consider the different types of perches as well... wooden dowls, natural SAFE tree branches, sand covered, concrete, rope, etc.. If you've tried all types of perches without any luck, you may want to look into some "hanging shelves" so to speak... you can see what I mean here...
http://www.windycityparrot.com/page/Win ... cstainless

Also, another idea... think about the perches that have a treat cup at the end of them... thus one must sit on the perch to get the desired treat. Or, you could even try hanging treats from the perches... making some visible, and others hidden...
http://www.avianweb.com/foraging.html

Thanks for all the support and advice.. I'll try all of your suggestions. I have several perches of different sizes and textures in their cage. They will take nuts and fruit from my hands but they run when you pet or touch any part of their body. They have all of their toes and when my vet trimmed there nails they seemed to be perfect. Their nails where grosely overgrown when I brought them home. But they are beautiful birds now. The birds have found a forever home even if they never perch or I can never pet them.

I think in time they will relax and become comfortable in their surroundings- i wouldnt push the perches, but thats me- and I dont push any of birds- they are what they are, if they dont want to be man handled we dont- we respect them and will give them best of care. I grew up its not what can be done for you but what you can do.

Hi How are you doing.I have a T-stand that has feeder bowls on it .They screw onto a bolt that goes through the perch. Maybe you could get one of these types of feed bowl and put it in the middle of the perch,to feed the birds would have to walk on the perch and might get use to it faster. Just another idea. Mark

Thanks guys, I previously tried a T-stand with feeder cups attached they would jump to the floor and run. I think they will come around in time. One thing I found out from the neighbors of the people that I rescued them from was that at one time both birds where tame and where purchased shortly after being weaned. They are now 7 years old.

Forcing will just just add more to the list of what to have to fix. Again Im old school and it works, just let them come around, it takes time but in the long run- so worth the wait, these days we tend to put a rush on everything and cause more problems, than just taking time and not causing any new ones. Im glad they found HOME finally.