After a week, here is our update: We upgraded his cage to a macaw cage which was a gift to me so I happily took it. I know the reviews are mixed on the Silverado cage but the cage is new and very sturdy. He's not a large CAG and I do have the resources to replace the cage if this one turns out to be a letdown. He is already using most of it, which makes me happy. He deserves the space. My husband made some platforms for him. He does perch sometimes on his large perch that came with him, since it's beside the bars of his new cage. He likes walking along his new rope perch while holding on to the bars. Honestly, I was so worried about his anxiety and switching cages since he's been in such a tiny cage for so long. He is all over, playing with toys, and eating well. I'm so relieved. I need to work on trust because be bites me. This is a real issue but he's been here about a week, so this will happen over time. I am sewing some fleece to go on his platforms, unless there's a better option? I definitely need to buy more toys because the the cage looks so empty and he has 13 toys in there. Any additional advice is always welcome. He has a huge vocabulary and is a fast learner. In a week, he's already learned "Hey Mom" and the beeping of my husband's bobcat in reverse. He even "sneezes loudly" and says bless you. Anytime a phone rings he says hello. I'd estimate his vocabulary to be over 30 words/noises/phrases. Some aren't so nice. He likes to yell at someone named Richard quite a bit! He's so funny and is such a blessing. Anyway, here he is less than a day after switching cages.
He has definite weakness in it. He has used it briefly once to hold food but mostly eats with his beak. He also plays with toys with his beak. He climbs using both feet but the majority of the work is done with his good leg. It's a clumsy climb. He is scared to be held so we are slowly going to work on that. I haven't felt his leg. I'm lucky he allows me to rub his head. I haven't seen him perch at all on anything. He sits in his bowl, hangs out on the bottom or climbs. He has fallen out of his bowl at night while asleep so I need to get him a cage and platform perches asap. The cage he is in now is too small for platform perches that would be large enough for him. I think his leg has been broken. His plucking is only on his neck area. We are fortunate enough to live within an hour of a large parrot supply store. They sell any kind of parrot food/mix/bread , etc... I have started adding Roudybush, a healthier seed/nut mix and fresh vegetables/fruit to his diet. I am doing this slowly to not upset his stomach. I hope I've answered everything. I haven't had him long. He does have a very large, colorful vocabulary. I was told his name was "Moe" but he doesn't acknowledge it so we may change it. We aren't sure of his sex, but I'm not interested in DNA testing and I'm obviously never going to breed him. I just want him happy and well taken care of. He deserves it.
(I call my birds stinky when they are being bad)
The biting will take time, and so will the potty mouth. When he realizes that he's safe and no more yelling or any other indignities he might have experienced he will be a wonderful boy, I bet!
