Brand new to Birds

[HeatherT]

And I am in with both feet. A neighbor passed away and I have adopted her 3 birds. All older souls. A 40 plus male Macaw, a 33 year old male African Gray and a grumpy fat little Amazon. All 3 have come from a REALLY unhealthy situation (the neighbor was very elderly and although she LOVED her birds, she was unable to keep them safe from rats which were swarming in the house. She was hospitalized and I was feeding them (very badly as it turned out) as there was no one else to do it. The Gray must have seen the writing on the wall, and set out to charm me (which he did) I figured I could take the two smaller birds and help place the Macaw, as I could not imagine him fitting in my house (he fits.....) anyway, We have been getting to know one another and things are going ok. I handle both small birds everyday and they are finally allowed out time The Macaw is standoffish but will take treats from my hand, but he also does some lunging at the bars which I do not react to. Yesterday, I sat on the floor in front of his cage he came down and he was shredding paper behind me and pulling on my sweater. I ignored him and just spoke sopftly. I know I must not push him, but would love to know if there are signs that I am on the right track. Clyde has been through so much. He lost his mate and his person one year apart. I will be fine with as far as he wants to go, I did not bring them home for myself, but to be sure they would be well taken care of. #wildlearningcurve. The other thing is he eats very very little. I have ALOT to learn in that department. Currently cannot get them to eat pellets, (only used as addition to fresh veg and sprouted grain from EDen Prairie none of which they seemed thrilled with) (found in fridge of their former home with a good expiration date) So there it his. Not quite in over my head, but def outside my comfort zone haha. ANY advice would be welcome.
!. how to smooth out relationship with Macaw
2. Need help finding stuff he will eat (besides bananas and squash!)
Thanks for you time. Looking forward to hearing from those "in the know"
Heather

 

[KiMa27]

Welcome, Heather!!!

You have taken on a BIG job but it sounds like you are on the right track!! You have a good heart! I only have small parrots so I can't help with Macaw questions but I think it's good that you're letting Clyde the Macaw get comfortable with you on his own terms.

I'm guessing you will have many challenges as well as great rewards on your new journey. There is loads of good information here on the forum posted by wonderful, knowledgeable users that can help guide you.

I would say if one of the birds isn't eating enough that's it more important to keep their weight up for now and focus on the best nutrition later. Maybe your new friends might try Zupreem fruit blend pellets. They have more sugar then the high quality pellets but I have had great success transitioning parrots to pellets using these.

Ps. Do you have pics of you new birds? We love photos around here!!!

 

[KiMa27]

Ps. Although too many nuts can be harmful, Clyde would probably enjoy cracking open some walnuts and almonds to eat. Both of these are pretty healthy options.

 

[HeatherT]

Welcome, Heather!!!

You have taken on a BIG job but it sounds like you are on the right track!! You have a good heart! I only have small parrots so I can't help with Macaw questions but I think it's good that you're letting Clyde the Macaw get comfortable with you on his own terms.

I'm guessing you will have many challenges as well as great rewards on your new journey. There is loads of good information here on the forum posted by wonderful, knowledgeable users that can help guide you.

I would say if one of the birds isn't eating enough that's it more important to keep their weight up for now and focus on the best nutrition later. Maybe your new friends might try Zupreem fruit blend pellets. They have more sugar then the high quality pellets but I have had great success transitioning parrots to pellets using these.

Ps. Do you have pics of you new birds? We love photos around here!!!

Haha yes I do! but whether or not I can post them? That is another issue. Not very tech savvy here but will give it a go! Thanks! and thanks for the suggestion of something tasty over organic. You are spot on as far as getting the chow in!

 

[Emma&pico]

Definitely jumped in deep end but I am so glad you helped them

 

[HeatherT]

 

[Emma&pico]

View attachment 466742

Beautiful love greys

 

[HeatherT]

Ps. Although too many nuts can be harmful, Clyde would probably enjoy cracking open some walnuts and almonds to eat. Both of these are pretty healthy options.

Walnuts are a go in this house. Both Gogo and Clyde love them. Nuts are really what they like the most but I worry as they contain so much fat. But yes, excellent suggestion

 

[HeatherT]

Definitely jumped in deep end but I am so glad you helped them

Had to. I was joking with a friend today that I have a penchant for adopting things that bite. ( other thing is an Irish Wolfhound that also had their owner pass and was "unadaptable". BS on that . Quinn. loves that birds. When he comes in Gogo seems to know how to talk to a dog. Does the correct whistling and everything.

 

[Emma&pico]

Had to. I was joking with a friend today that I have a penchant for adopting things that bite. ( other thing is an Irish Wolfhound that also had their owner pass and was "unadaptable". BS on that . Quinn. loves that birds. When he comes in Gogo seems to know how to talk to a dog. Does the correct whistling and everything.

You sound like a super sweet person

 

[LozBin]

Immense respect for taking on such a big task!

I am certain you will have some happy, healthy birbs in no time - all the while you scale a tremendous learning curve, of course

 

[KiMa27]

Walnuts are a go in this house. Both Gogo and Clyde love them. Nuts are really what they like the most but I worry as they contain so much fat. But yes, excellent suggestion

Clyde is a cutie!!! Such a friendly face.

 

[Toy]

You sure did jump in with both feet! I rescued a B&G Macaw years ago that had been abused. Owners couldn't even handle her. She turned into an amazing companion. Sadly I lost her to kidney disease in 2020. I currently have a B&G Macaw, African Grey & a Umbrella Cockatoo.

I'd try frozen mixed veggies. Sweet potatoes cut in chunks (must be cooked) usually go over well. Once you get them eating mixed veggies you can add different ones & see what they like & will eat. The best pellet is the one they'll eat. Zuprem has a veggie flavor & also fruit flavor pellet. It may take time to get them to eat pellets if they never did before. A couple walnuts or almonds per day for the macaw. One for the Amazon & Grey.

My birds love Nutriberries. This site has them for "senior" birds, as well as pellets, etc. Lafeber Senior Bird Nutri-Berries | Revival Animal Health

I'd suggest wet foods in the morning & dry foods at night. Remove wet foods/veggies/fruit after 2-3 hours as bacteria starts to grown then. Also you may need to eat or fake eat foods to show them they are safe to eat. You eat some & then offer them a bite. Make mmmm good sounds.

Parrots like silly, so sing dance, play upbeat music, etc. Explain everything to them. They like to know the what, why, where, etc., of everything. Example: you ask them to step up, so let them know why, lets go for a walk. Bird steps up, say good bird. You can use a small treat if needed.

The B&G lunging is because he is scared. It will take time for him to settle in, as everything in his world has changed. It may takes weeks or months. Just keep talking to him. Watch, listen & learn their movements & sounds. B&G macaws tend to be forgiving once you win their trust.

Macaws love to swing so if he does have a swing I'd suggest you get him one.

 

[KiMa27]

You sure did jump in with both feet! I rescued a B&G Macaw years ago that had been abused. Owners couldn't even handle her. She turned into an amazing companion. Sadly I lost her to kidney disease in 2020. I currently have a B&G Macaw, African Grey & a Umbrella Cockatoo.

I'd try frozen mixed veggies. Sweet potatoes cut in chunks (must be cooked) usually go over well. Once you get them eating mixed veggies you can add different ones & see what they like & will eat. The best pellet is the one they'll eat. Zuprem has a veggie flavor & also fruit flavor pellet. It may take time to get them to eat pellets if they never did before. A couple walnuts or almonds per day for the macaw. One for the Amazon & Grey.

My birds love Nutriberries. This site has them for "senior" birds, as well as pellets, etc. Lafeber Senior Bird Nutri-Berries | Revival Animal Health

I'd suggest wet foods in the morning & dry foods at night. Remove wet foods/veggies/fruit after 2-3 hours as bacteria starts to grown then. Also you may need to eat or fake eat foods to show them they are safe to eat. You eat some & then offer them a bite. Make mmmm good sounds.

Parrots like silly, so sing dance, play upbeat music, etc. Explain everything to them. They like to know the what, why, where, etc., of everything. Example: you ask them to step up, so let them know why, lets go for a walk. Bird steps up, say good bird. You can use a small treat if needed.

The B&G lunging is because he is scared. It will take time for him to settle in, as everything in his world has changed. It may takes weeks or months. Just keep talking to him. Watch, listen & learn their movements & sounds. B&G macaws tend to be forgiving once you win their trust.

Macaws love to swing so if he does have a swing I'd suggest you get him one.

Great recommend on the Nutriberries, they are almost always a hit! My whole flock loves them. They get the senior ones as well. Really good for those older birds. I even use them for sneaking in their medicine.

 

[Sparkles99]

 

[Finchbreed]

You are a very good person to take on these birds and the dog before.
Enjoy the journey.

 

[HeatherT]

You sure did jump in with both feet! I rescued a B&G Macaw years ago that had been abused. Owners couldn't even handle her. She turned into an amazing companion. Sadly I lost her to kidney disease in 2020. I currently have a B&G Macaw, African Grey & a Umbrella Cockatoo.

I'd try frozen mixed veggies. Sweet potatoes cut in chunks (must be cooked) usually go over well. Once you get them eating mixed veggies you can add different ones & see what they like & will eat. The best pellet is the one they'll eat. Zuprem has a veggie flavor & also fruit flavor pellet. It may take time to get them to eat pellets if they never did before. A couple walnuts or almonds per day for the macaw. One for the Amazon & Grey.

My birds love Nutriberries. This site has them for "senior" birds, as well as pellets, etc. Lafeber Senior Bird Nutri-Berries | Revival Animal Health

I'd suggest wet foods in the morning & dry foods at night. Remove wet foods/veggies/fruit after 2-3 hours as bacteria starts to grown then. Also you may need to eat or fake eat foods to show them they are safe to eat. You eat some & then offer them a bite. Make mmmm good sounds.

Parrots like silly, so sing dance, play upbeat music, etc. Explain everything to them. They like to know the what, why, where, etc., of everything. Example: you ask them to step up, so let them know why, lets go for a walk. Bird steps up, say good bird. You can use a small treat if needed.

The B&G lunging is because he is scared. It will take time for him to settle in, as everything in his world has changed. It may takes weeks or months. Just keep talking to him. Watch, listen & learn their movements & sounds. B&G macaws tend to be forgiving once you win their trust.

Macaws love to swing so if he does have a swing I'd suggest you get him one.

That all sounds like great advice He drops the Nutriberries, and currently he is dumping everything out of his food bowl. He does like sweet potato but I am hearing the chunks hit the floor as we speak. Will do a little hand feed of the stuff he prefers. Big on banana too. Tonight I had a little warm scrambled egg (I think that is really weird but a vet told me it is good protein) mini orange pepper slices, steamed cauliiflour pieces and some thin mango slices (very little as he gets enough sugar with the banana. The sprouted seeds seem to be a no go, and I will try the Zupreme as nothing Harrisons has to offer is going over well, with the exception of the Amazon as he is a little piglet.

 

[HeatherT]

Immense respect for taking on such a big task!

I am certain you will have some happy, healthy birbs in no time - all the while you scale a tremendous learning curve, of course

so cute, like a little jury!!

 

[MommyBird]

You are their angel and doing a very good job!
Only a couple complaints - no picture of the Amazon!!!!!!
And is Gogo the grey or the Amazon, and what is the third name?
Just trying to get everything straight and figure out what kind of Amazon you have!

You might try giving raw: carrot and celery sticks, halved brussels sprouts, broccoli chunks, and sugar snap peas in the pod.

 

[HeatherT]

You are their angel and doing a very good job!
Only a couple complaints - no picture of the Amazon!!!!!!
And is Gogo the grey or the Amazon, and what is the third name?
Just trying to get everything straight and figure out what kind of Amazon you have!

You might try giving raw: carrot and celery sticks, halved brussels sprouts, broccoli chunks, and sugar snap peas in the pod.

pardon my technical ineptitude, haha. Will try again to post little Moses aka piglet (no feeding issue there except scraping food off his face) have tried all those, the Brussel sprouts just yesterday, those might have gone over as I did not see them in the bowl or on cage floor. carrots raw or lightly steamed are ignored, sugar snaps are also, but I got another bag today to give it another go. Photo is Moses before he came to live with us. Gross perch has been replacaed with nice driftwood perch (that was a fun and lengthy project but paid off immensely. We have moved him lower in his cage and he now has out time, but he is very flappy. He will eventually settle on my shoulder and give me a new hairdo. He is a funny little bird. Togo is formally Goliath, the Gray and Clyde (who is making me work for his affection ) is the Macaw.