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Hi,
I'm new to this forum and to my very large and wonderful new baby.
I have owned a cockatiel and a love bird and both have been hand fed and weaned when I got them. I am now owned by a wondorous and glorious blue and gold baby. It's birthday is Feb 7, 2008. I bought him/her when he was one month old and watched how she grew. While she stayed at the pet store, I read approximately 9 books on parrots and all the back issues of Bird Talk I could get my hands on, which was a lot. I am a plethora of knowledge not only on B & G but many other breeds. Unfortunately, an individual bird is like having an exception to the rule. I find that I still have many questions. I look to you for more idea and answers since I don't have as much experience as I would like.
1. When will the bird stop to squack. Mine seems to chirp on every exhale. She did this since I've known her. When she is settleds her noice is softer, but it is constant. I was told that this is like a baby cooing noise, any comments?
2. When will she really get into speach. She is not 6 months and has said hello in a very parrot like voice and never on cue. My daughters told me that she also laughed when they laughed yesterday. I missed that :?
3. She is now full time at home with me. I have started feeding her only once, as I have been giving her two feeding until recently. There is no need to tell me how dangerous feeding a chick is, I have been doing this for months and feel very comfortable with it. I practiced a lot at the pet store and did not take her home until I was sure I could do it. But now the bird is 6 months and still eats approx 150 cc's (4 syringes) of formula. She also eats seeds, nuts, fruits and vegetables. I have been completely spoiling her. Everyone, my other pets and my children are jelous of my bird, but that is another post left for another day.
4. Cleo, that's my bird, takes baths (shower) with me at times. She shivers after. Is this normal. I have been blow drying her lately and she seems to love it. The question is, is shivering a sign that she is cold and especially in bad weather, do I need to dry her after?
5. One of very few complaints I have is that she can be beaky. I am calling them "love nips" and learning not to make a big deal of them, but a few days ago, she really got my 13 year old good. For several seconds she held on to her finger. She did not break the skin but frightened all of us. Of course, we did what we were not supposed to do, Sarah screamed, I yelled at Cleo and then put her in the cage. When I came down, I took her out of the cage. I also told Sarah that from now on, Sarah will be the one letting the bird out from the cage. That way Cleo learns that to have freedom and to be with the family, she has to be nice to Sarah. Sarah calls Cleo the deamon bird :twisted: The last few days Cleo has seemed to calm down and has not tried to strike Sarah as she used to with a hiss. Any other ideas I should keep in mind to bring order in my family.
6. So, at 6 months, Cleo can step up, step down, knows breakfast, come here, and bath, can say hello and laugh, but not on cue, What should I be working with her on next?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

1. When will the bird stop to squack.

It's been so many years since I had a baby macaw that I hope others will have a good answer to this first question. The general rule is to acknowledge the bird's call by responding in a reassuring way: "Here I am!" or a whistle you'll enjoy hearing your bird make for the rest of your life. Wild macaws stay with their parents for a couple of years, so your baby is probably just wanting to be sure she hasn't been abandoned, that dinner will be served. She can hear you in the house but you're not in her sight, and she's eager to see you and that syringe!

2. When will she really get into speach. She is not 6 months and has said hello in a very parrot like voice and never on cue. My daughters told me that she also laughed when they laughed yesterday. I missed that

Seems she already has! Her voice quality and vocabulary will improve as she practices.

4. ... is shivering a sign that she is cold and especially in bad weather, do I need to dry her after?

What looks to us like shivering is how birds shake their feathers to separate them so they'll dry. Please don't dry her unless there's no time for her to dry naturally before bedtime. The hair dryer dries out her skin, counteracting all the beneficial effects of the shower.

5. ... she can be beaky. ... from now on, Sarah will be the one letting the bird out from the cage. That way Cleo learns that to have freedom and to be with the family, she has to be nice to Sarah...

Macaws are beaky birds, no doubt about that! Your strategy with Sarah is almost right, but not quite. Birds are most likely to bite when someone invades their territory, their cage. Don't set Sarah up to be bitten. The LAST thing you want to do is teach Cleo to bite her! You want Cleo to WANT to be nice to Sarah because Sarah is FUN, her friend. Not just the bribery of release from the cage, but true enjoyment. A great book that will help you is Barbara Heidenreich's The Parrot Problem Solution. You can get used copies cheap from Amazon.com. There are wonderful online articles at http://www.naturalencounters.com under Training and at http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/html/friedman.htm.

Dear Cleo's owner,

First of all I agree with everything Bluebird said in the previous reply. I have been actively breeding and raising Macaws for over 50 years. There are a few things I could interject here into the discussion. But they are just that, suggestions, which in no way can be understood as the only reason or cause in any of your problems or concerns.

My comments are gathered by not only raising these species but also having had the wonderful opportunity of visiting these wonderful birds in the wild. I too have read many other books and papers from so called "specialists" and you really have to take some of them with a grain of salt so to speak. Be flexible and learn to adjust your techniques with each individual bird. Just like there is no "standard manual" in raising children (human) there is none for every case with the Macaw. You have to remember this species is over 80 million years old and has adapted to many circumstances over that time but has remained in basically the same DNA state as the first recorded Macaw back in the pre-historic days.

There will always be a give and take or tug of war so to speak when you occupy the same space as this majestic creature. Use your keen human mind and you will never go wrong. Learn the "signs" that your bird gives off and teach the fellow humans in the same space what you have learned. Spend time and talk with all of them and discuss the things that you find and explore your bird together as a family. It will not only serve to bring you all together, but gives way for some great conservation and a shared passion in one "unique" thing. Always keep in mind that this bird (a direct ancestor of,) flew during the time of dinosaurs and much larger "toothed" birds and it survived all that nature had to offer. Your family, friends, and others will now be able to share in this wonderful experience.


1. When will the bird stop squawking?. Mine seems to chirp on every exhale. She did this since I've known her. When she is settled her noise is softer, but it is constant. I was told that this is like a baby cooing noise, any comments?

Macaw's sound off, or make flock calls regularly in the morning and evening. They do this to tell other Macaw's where they are and it is safe to fly here. Some Macaws sound off for fear, but you will definitely learn the different sounds that your bird makes. I can see that you are starting this process and understand that there is a difference between these sounds. But to answer your question directly, there is no time that your bird will stop making these sounds. It is very difficult to house a Macaw on account of the noise they make. I would make friends with my neighbors and bring your bird out (on a harness) and introduce them to your new parrot and let them see for themselves what is making all the racket, and most do in fact become amiable to your situation.

I am weaning a 10 week old Scarlet right now and she gave off such an ear piercing squawk my ear drums almost burst. Thing is she is only 10 weeks old.... ha ha ha. I can imagine how much she will improve on her vocals when she matures. I recall floating through the Panama Canal (on the US Marine Landing Force Ship- USS Iwo Jima) and we heard a flock of Blue and Yellow's (Blue and Gold's) over 6 miles away from us at the time. I was inside the ship and masked by all the noise that the 07 made and still in fact I heard the flock that far off and knew right away what it was. I went up to the Command and Control bridge and saw on radar there location because we had to stand down on flight operations with this flock so close by.


2. When will she really get into speech ?

Don't rush this about her! She will speak in her own due time. Speech done in a Macaw is imitating her flocks noise and she will, when she feels comfortable. I always tell people do not get those tapes that force your bird to talk. You will not like the consequences that this provokes.


3. The bird is 6 months and still eats approx 150 cc's of formula. She also eats seeds, nuts, fruits and vegetables?

Never feed a Macaw more than 140cc's at one time. You do not want to stretch out her crop more than that. Rule of thumb here is 10% of her body weight until 140cc's and then start to reduce the amounts (times of the day, 4x on down) of feeding. The weaning process is bad enough but when you try and wean an overweight bird then you got problems. With the reduced feedings you start to offer solid foods for the bird to make up her diet intake, herself. She will be hungry but this initiates the weaning process. Regular weighing in (every morning) tells you that she is not loosing weight by doing this, always keep good records DAILY. Weight is the key here! When she starts to fledge she will also loose a tremendous amount of weight because she "wants to fly!" Also this additional exercise takes weight off. Don't be alarmed. By the time she is fully fledged she should be totally weaned. But there is always exceptions to the rule. Give her "warm" water in her syringe instead of formula to break her of the bottle "habit."


4. Cleo shivers after the bath. Is this normal. I have been blow drying her, do I need to dry her after?

You are using too hot of water on her in the shower. Macaw's generally like cooler water in the shower for their baths! Do not blow dry your bird! After her shower if she is cold she will let out squawking to beat the band. Believe me she will let you know if she is cold!


5. One of very few complaints I have is that she can give "love nips"

Her beak is her third appendage! We as humans have two hands and two legs. She has two legs and one hand (so to speak) and that is her beak. She will pinch to measure things like we do when we squeeze hands in a hand shake. If she bites (draws blood) I would suggests cyan pepper powder mixed with water and spray on your hands and arms. She will not bite anymore and it is humane. Make sure you have plenty of chew toys (I use 2 X 4's cut up into pieces and strung on a stainless steel cable for my birds) to chew on. And of course 2 X 4 perches are always the best because you can change them out regularly. No Pre-Treated (green lumber) and do not use a glove or stick to perch train your bird, you'll be sorry about that one too! Use a jean jacket as a arm covering and only your bare hand. I know sometimes you have to pay the price to own a Macaw, but remember your skin will heal.

6. So, at 6 months, Cleo can step up, step down, knows breakfast, come here, and bath, can say hello and laugh, but not on cue, What should I be working with her on next?

She should be fledging right now. Practice with her and get another family member to help out. She should be flying from one arm to another across the room. She should know how to make soft landings and flair at the appropriate time in flight. If you have a big room she could become agile enough to make circle flights around it. She should have her favorite spot to land and perch for most of the day. At the very minimum she should be out of her cage at least 45 minutes and spend quality one on one time with the family. Tricks can be introduced at 6 months but don't expect wonders at this age. Remember she will be acting like a three year old right now and testing all her parameters. Don't over indulge her, or under indulge her, use your best common sense and you'll be just fine!

Dutch

PurpleHeart wrote:... do not use a ... stick to perch train your bird, you'll be sorry about that one too! ...

Would you say more, please? TIA

Thank you so much for letting me know more about my baby. I do want to clarify a few things to make your answers more appropriate to my cituation. The noise I am talking about is not a flock call. I get that one in the evening. I am very pleased that she only does that in the evening when I come home and she is in the cage. BTW, she is out on a perch most of the day. And most of the time she stays right on the perch. If I sit by her, though it's like getting a permission to come and nudge me for a pet. Can be very tedious after the fourth time. So the noise or the sound I am referring to is a very quiet squack. I guess the analogy would be a heavy smocker's wheez at every exhale. I tend to think that this some kind of a baby thing, but she hasn't outgrown it. Anyone knows what I am talking about?
Also, the bird does or has flown. I had her wings clipped. I had a cockatiel who flew everywhere and my drapes showed it. The bigger problem is that I lost him because my husband forgot he was sitting on his shoulder and walked out with him. I never want that to happen again. Also, she seems more kind and cooperative with her wings clipped. I thought that her personallity was "passive aggressive" before the clip. She would not take no for an answer, she is a bit better after.
One more question, her nails. I had them clipped about two months ago and they seem to grow back enough that I feel them. Anything I can use in the cage that can keep them short and blunt. I was thinking may be cover a perch with sand paper, but I am not sure if I read some place that this is a bad idea. I bought a pearch, concrete or something that is supposed to help, but obviously it did not.
Again, you guys are great, thanks for taking the time and sharing your knowledge!

cleo slave wrote:... I had them clipped about two months ago and they seem to grow back enough that I feel them. Anything I can use in the cage that can keep them short and blunt...

You're very welcome. We love birds, yours too. It's so good that you're asking questions while she's still such a baby. Do her nails make you bleed? If so, I agree that they need dulling, but not necessarily shortening. Can you make a habit of using a metal human nail file on them, even a few strokes to one nail daily will eventually take care of them all if you keep it up. Only takes a minute or two while she's in your lap or in her cage with her feet clutching the bars. Barbara Heidenreich's book that I recommended yesterday will tell you more about that and many other useful ways to train her for a happy, healthy life. Please DON'T wrap her perch in sandpaper

Hi How is it going. You were asking about the complaining squawk. Yes it is a baby thing. Its hard to say how long it will last. You were also asking about cliping toe nails. I just file the tips every week while she sits on my lap watching TV. As a baby the vain in the nail goes almost to the end . So its not good to clip. Sometimes my baby get beaky and nips. When she starts chewing on my fingers or gets nipy .I thump her beak with my finger not hard. Just enough to let her know and I tell her easy or stop it. She still gets a little beaky at the age of 3 If she stops I wait a while then praise her. B & G s are very fun loving birds Josie will chase the cat if she can. The cat will get mad and turn around and swat at Josie . She will run away laughing. My wife get Josie on her back and tickle her and Josie laughs and kicks. Well Good luck Mark

Hi Mark,
Things are going well/ the same. She is still very beaky and has gotten my younger daughter (13) several times hard enough to upset her. Sarah is learning to be more assertive with her and ask permission to pet. I try to keep a watchful eye. I've tried to see what method works best for her, pretend crying, doing nothing, being stern, moving her beak off. So far, nothing has really made much improvement. A stern "Don't" seems to work best. Her baby squacking has definetely quited down. She has times especially in the morning and evening where all she does is say Hello, hello, hello, hello. She is a very quiet bird and hardly ever makes loud noise. This is a very welcome thing, since I don't like to be woken up and can sleep in late on most days. In fact my lovebird is quiet as well. I'm lucky that way. I noticed that if Cleo is on my lap, she never poops. If she is on my shoulder and thinks she can make the distance, she does. I tried to introduce her to the bird diaper, she was tolerant of it when she was much younger, but now wants nothing to do with it, so I haven't pursued it. She's very good for someone who needs to go every 20 minutes. I was told not to trim her nails myself because she will not like me for it and I could damage her if I don't know what I am doing. I have been triming nails of cats, dogs, ferrets, I feel I can handle a bird, but the pet store owner is adamant and he will do it for free, so I don't fight him on it. I left my bird at his store for labor day week end after her being off the formula for a few days. She was eating seeds, fruit, vegetables, meals prepared every morning. Brian, pet store owner, put her back on formulat (2 syringes, once a day) He said to top her off. So now I am doing it again. I think that she doesn't eat as much of her regular food, but he wants me to do it. She is now seven months and from what I have read, is old enough to be weaned. I have given the formula in a dish to her as well and she loves to eath a think poridge of formula. When I brought her back from 3 days at the pet store, many of her feathers were sticking out and the edge of the wings was all down. I can only guess that she was left in a cage that was too small for her. Brian is typically very good with her and let her out, but I am guessing that her either wasn't there and had someone else take care of the store, or was too busy to let her out. She was not in her best shape. I don't think that I would leave her there if I can help it again. I play with her everyday. I know that there will be times when my schedule will be too hectic, but for now I have daily time to spend with her. She loves being with me but she is nippy.

cleo slave wrote:... I don't think that I would leave her there if I can help it again...

Sounds like a good idea to me Have you been able to get more reading done?

Bluesbird Exotics wrote:

... A great book that will help you is Barbara Heidenreich's The Parrot Problem Solution. You can get used copies cheap from Amazon.com. There are wonderful online articles at http://www.naturalencounters.com under Training and at http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/html/friedman.htm.

I've read back issues of Bird Talk and have subscribed and got two issues so far. I am in the process of reading how to teach your parrot to talk and watched "Training your bird like Alex" several times. I'll get through all the books eventually. Thanks for the information. I'll be sure to look that up.

Bluesbird Exotics wrote:

PurpleHeart wrote:... do not use a ... stick to perch train your bird, you'll be sorry about that one too! ...

Would you say more, please? TIA

There is a school of thought out there that tells owners to pick up a bird using a stick or perch rather than offering the usual hand or arm with which they "step up" on. Also many people resort to using a glove when they handle their birds. These techniques usually follow a biting or nipping bird where the owner has lost confidence in handling their bird the normal way.

If I can not stress it enough, never give up on handling your bird the normal way! That is with your hand or arm. Once the bird gets use to the stick or glove is very hard to revert them back to the normal ways of handling them. By virtue of owning one of these birds we are resigned to the fact that once in a awhile you are going to GIVE BLOOD. I tell people who do not want to get bit that maybe they should own a fish!

Hi Cleo Slave I tried a bird diaper also. Josie also wore it first but as time went on she wouldnt wear it. When we are together. When I first pick her up I ask her to go potty. Then about every 15 min I ask again. WhatIs so funny now is that she will tell me no if she doesnt have to go. Josie was well weand at 6 mon. She started thowing up and not wanting to take fornula but she would eat soft food ,seeds,pellets .so I stopped feeding her. I haised Josie form three days. I always handled her feet and wings. Now at three I can set her in my lap and trim wings and nails as we watch tv. She has to be in the mood.I always praise her for being good. She loves to be praised. You have a young daughter and a young bird. There is a sibling fighting thing between the to . Its like a pecking order. Cleo will always try to get away with what she can with your daughter. I see the same type of thing between my wife and joise.If joise want to be with robin then everything will be fine . I f robin goes in and starts talking and opens the cage to let josie out to hold . Josie some times trys to give her a nip ,to say out of my way or leave me alone. well good luck . If you have any thing else to talk about I will be around . Have a good day. Mark