So happy avian ave is still around

[Ellie T]

I was on here so many years ago. Now coming back around to see what's new.
I have been working with a rescued macaw for almost five years now. Poor thing was part of a large failed breeder situation, someone had Zero clue what they were doing, just thought these birds should breed like dogs and make them lots of $ during the pandemic. anyways I took him in at 2.5 years, let's just say he hated all humans, wings were 100% atrophied and he was barely 900 grams. He's still terrified of anyone who even remotely looks like his abuser. Attack bird is an understatement. Terrified of water, sticks, loose perches even. It was truly tragic.
Fast forward, we got 1.5 wings working, he's now a healthy 1680 grams, I have scars to show for all his trauma and I can now give him head scritches without losing fingers. I taught him to play with toys and enjoy chewing them up.
Now he sings and talks up a storm at times, Hello, pretty bird, I love you. Gives kisses sound's and blows raspberries.
Its been a very long rough road helping him unpack all he went through his first few years of life. But I quickly learned he had to have come from a loving breeder who had no clue where he ended up, because the moment I said, awwww baby bird, he melted and started baby head bobbing. I tried to find which breeder but the band didn't have much to go on. And its not listed on the database for band #s. if you know who LDC in Ca is, that would be great.
We have come so far from where we started. Trying to figure out next steps since now he has me well trained and not the other way around.
Appreciate all the fellowship if bird lovers here.

 

[MommyBird]

Welcome back!
What a handsome fella, and you are his angel for sure.
What's his name?

 

[Ellie T]

Thank you.
His name is Watson

 

[Clueless]

Way to work with him!

 

[HelenVanessaDavies]

Welcome back! Sounds like you've had your hands full but what a great journey you're on with him

 

[Vittror]

Welcome back to AA!
Sounds like you've come a long way already with Watson!
Glad he was able to land safely with you!

 

[Parront]

Welcome Back.....I too was off of AA for quite a bit, and Have just been able to get back in to the groove. What a beautiful bird! Sounds like you really have come a long way! Kudo's!

 

[maxandco]

I was on here so many years ago. Now coming back around to see what's new.
I have been working with a rescued macaw for almost five years now. Poor thing was part of a large failed breeder situation, someone had Zero clue what they were doing, just thought these birds should breed like dogs and make them lots of $ during the pandemic. anyways I took him in at 2.5 years, let's just say he hated all humans, wings were 100% atrophied and he was barely 900 grams. He's still terrified of anyone who even remotely looks like his abuser. Attack bird is an understatement. Terrified of water, sticks, loose perches even. It was truly tragic.
Fast forward, we got 1.5 wings working, he's now a healthy 1680 grams, I have scars to show for all his trauma and I can now give him head scritches without losing fingers. I taught him to play with toys and enjoy chewing them up.
Now he sings and talks up a storm at times, Hello, pretty bird, I love you. Gives kisses sound's and blows raspberries.
Its been a very long rough road helping him unpack all he went through his first few years of life. But I quickly learned he had to have come from a loving breeder who had no clue where he ended up, because the moment I said, awwww baby bird, he melted and started baby head bobbing. I tried to find which breeder but the band didn't have much to go on. And its not listed on the database for band #s. if you know who LDC in Ca is, that would be great.
We have come so far from where we started. Trying to figure out next steps since now he has me well trained and not the other way around.
Appreciate all the fellowship if bird lovers here.

What a beautiful baby, I'm so glad you two have each other <3

 

[Love My Zons]

Welcome back again! Some of us are still around, many actually. He sounds like a great Macaw, and you have certainly given him a great new beginning.

 

[Ellie T]

Welcome back again! Some of us are still around, many actually. He sounds like a great Macaw, and you have certainly given him a great new beginning.

Thank you, its great to see a few familar profiles still here.
I was constantly searching the threads/post when I somehow got caught up in rescuing budgies and other small birds that got out/lost and were wandering around hiking trails etc, (my husband still can't believe I manage to catch fully flighted birds without causing any undo stress), its how I got introduced to a local bird Guy who did the big macaw failed breeder rescue.
Honestly I had not planned on having a macaw, but here we are almost 5 years later.
It's been a struggle with also dealing with chronic fatigue/health issues but this big bird needed to be somewhere safe, well fed and loads of time to decompress and just be cared for.
I really wish I could find him a flock with someone who has macaw expertise to take him the rest of the way. But until then I will just keep doing my best to give him all I can. I will never allow him to end up back in a breeder situation. Or somewhere being treated badly.
He's a happy guy. And I do love him so.
I can't get him to stop plucking though for the life of me. He's going to end up a bald chicken.

 

[Dartman]

Name sounds vaguely familiar, glad you rescued the big Lummox and got him mostly happy and healthy again. Took about 5 years to bring Lurch around and I have the scars to prove it too but he's no longer here

 

[Ellie T]

Awww what happened to lurch ?
The scars are worth it, my fault, i got to close as he was drawing me in with his cute come hither sweetness, (after he stopped the lunge attacking business) then chomp. Crazy bird. He wants to hold my fingers in his talon but will suddenly decide to take a bite. He hasn't done that in a while and my last big owwww was about 2.5 yrs ago. But I have to be pretty hyper vigilant , which is exhausting. Now he plays with my fingers with his tongue but I have to be very mindful in case he changes his mind, suddenly .
Now he will scream owwww at his birdie friends videos.

 

[Ellie T]

I did learn a new trick, since he was terrified of any sticks, including a little chop stick, target training was so much easier using one of his own molted feathers. I could scritch him in the head too with it. This lead to being able to give him head scritches with my finger's eventually.

 

[Dartman]

Awww what happened to lurch ?
The scars are worth it, my fault, i got to close as he was drawing me in with his cute come hither sweetness, (after he stopped the lunge attacking business) then chomp. Crazy bird. He wants to hold my fingers in his talon but will suddenly decide to take a bite. He hasn't done that in a while and my last big owwww was about 2.5 yrs ago. But I have to be pretty hyper vigilant , which is exhausting. Now he plays with my fingers with his tongue but I have to be very mindful in case he changes his mind, suddenly .
Now he will scream owwww at his birdie friends videos.

He got out of the door when sister thought it was safe and spent 3 days in a tall fit tree then was chased away by crows, never saw him again. I have Dobby now.

 

[Dartman]

How's the new pionus doing

 

[zoo mom]

Welcome back.

 

[Jayced!!]

Welcome! So glad to have you back!

 

[Ellie T]

Thank you.

 

[expressmailtome]

Welcome and enjoy the site!

 

[Love My Zons]

Thank you, its great to see a few familar profiles still here.
I was constantly searching the threads/post when I somehow got caught up in rescuing budgies and other small birds that got out/lost and were wandering around hiking trails etc, (my husband still can't believe I manage to catch fully flighted birds without causing any undo stress), its how I got introduced to a local bird Guy who did the big macaw failed breeder rescue.
Honestly I had not planned on having a macaw, but here we are almost 5 years later.
It's been a struggle with also dealing with chronic fatigue/health issues but this big bird needed to be somewhere safe, well fed and loads of time to decompress and just be cared for.
I really wish I could find him a flock with someone who has macaw expertise to take him the rest of the way. But until then I will just keep doing my best to give him all I can. I will never allow him to end up back in a breeder situation. Or somewhere being treated badly.
He's a happy guy. And I do love him so.
I can't get him to stop plucking though for the life of me. He's going to end up a bald chicken.

Sometimes we get animals that have lifelong issues behavioral wise. He sounds loved by you! The plucking that can be hormonal and also a habit. A comfort thing I see with our Cockatoo. I know for her it's hormones. Last year I took away any boxes she had access to. And her chest was feathered again, completely. When you give them back for times to be alittle busy the picking starts again.

Maybe for the future start the process of finding a place for this bird when you decide care isn't an option to give. Plenty of rescues are out there. I can give you sone suggestions if you want to know of some. Many have waiting lists.