Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:07 am Post subject: Inherited a parrot - need advice
A distant relative recently passed away and left me her pet parrot in her will. I hardly knew the woman but she knew I liked birds (I keep budgies), so here I am with her beloved parrot with not much of an idea how to handle him and look after him. Another distant family member who'd been looking after him, brought the bird and his stand round yesterday evening and left me to it, telling me that 'he likes walnuts and brazil nuts'.
I'm not even sure what sort of parrot it is. He's very big, blue, has a long tail, a black beak and yellow skin on his face. He looks like he's been plucking at his chest feathers too (a few bald spots). Some kind of Macaw?
He's been sat around on his T-stand all day today looking a bit sullen. I've given him water and a bowl of sunflower seeds and I've been feeding him walnuts and brazil nuts on and off. I just gave him half an apple, that he seemed to like (picked it up with his foot and pecked away).
I'm not a novice when it comes to budgies but a parrot is completely new to me. I do intend to keep him and look after him as I've fallen in love with him already and have plenty of space for him. I just need some tips on what exactly I need to be doing and looking out for.
I'm going to take him down the vets on Monday for a checkup and buy some parrot books when I'm in town. Any advice you can give me in the meantime would be greatly appreciated.
At the moment, he's chained by the leg to his stand (apparently how my great aunt used to keep him when he wasn't flying around) and I'm not sure if I should unlock him and let him come down until he's gotten used to a change in surroundings - I don't want him crashing into a window or hitting the ceiling in panic or anything like that. I've been trying to disturb him as little as possible as I know that the move must be stressful for him. He does seem to be fairly tame though (if I hold a brazil nut in my fingers, he'll take it from me).
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
On Sat, 13 May 2006 19:07:12 +0100, Ricky K. <nospam@please> wrote:
Quote:
A distant relative recently passed away and left me her pet parrot in her will. I hardly knew the woman but she knew I liked birds (I keep budgies), so here I am with her beloved parrot with not much of an idea how to handle him and look after him. Another distant family member who'd been looking after him, brought the bird and his stand round yesterday evening and left me to it, telling me that 'he likes walnuts and brazil nuts'. I'm not even sure what sort of parrot it is. He's very big, blue, has a long tail, a black beak and yellow skin on his face. He looks like he's been plucking at his chest feathers too (a few bald spots). Some kind of Macaw?
Yellow on his face or by his lower beak? Does he/she have a yellow circle around its eyes?
Quote:
He's been sat around on his T-stand all day today looking a bit sullen. I've given him water and a bowl of sunflower seeds and I've ----snipped--- >8
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:24 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
On Sat, 13 May 2006 18:07:12 UTC, Ricky K. <nospam@please> wrote:
Quote:
A distant relative recently passed away and left me her pet parrot in her will. I hardly knew the woman but she knew I liked birds (I keep budgies), so here I am with her beloved parrot with not much of an idea how to handle him and look after him. Another distant family member who'd been looking after him, brought the bird and his stand round yesterday evening and left me to it, telling me that 'he likes walnuts and brazil nuts'. I'm not even sure what sort of parrot it is. He's very big, blue, has a long tail, a black beak and yellow skin on his face. He looks like he's been plucking at his chest feathers too (a few bald spots). Some kind of Macaw? That's a Hyacinth Macaw, the largest of all parrots. They are quite
expensive and actually do like brazil nuts. I'm not a macaw person, so let's see what others say.
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
Well first of your going to have to get that chain off his leg. If he thrashes around or falls he could easily break his leg. He needs a very large macaw cage to sleep in and hang out in and the stand is used to take him from room to room. He should get off the sunflower seed, too much fat for his system. The brazilian nuts and walnuts are fine. Besides that he needs a diet of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables for that is very healthy for him. It is good you got a vet appointment already, he probably needs bloodwork and it might be an idea to get him dna tested to find out if you got a boy or girl on your hands. From your description is sure sounds like a hyacinth. If it is they are the gentlest of all the large macaws. Your vet will give you good tips on feeding and caring. But again, that chain has to go, they do need their freedom of movement and getting him into a cage will be best for him and for you. Good Luck and congrats on your new addition to your flock.
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:43 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
On Sat, 13 May 2006 13:24:26 -0500, "Mark Klebanoff" <maxikins@os2bbs.com.NOSPLAM> wrote:
Quote:
On Sat, 13 May 2006 18:07:12 UTC, Ricky K. <nospam@please> wrote: A distant relative recently passed away and left me her pet parrot in her will. I hardly knew the woman but she knew I liked birds (I keep budgies), so here I am with her beloved parrot with not much of an idea how to handle him and look after him. Another distant family member who'd been looking after him, brought the bird and his stand round yesterday evening and left me to it, telling me that 'he likes walnuts and brazil nuts'. I'm not even sure what sort of parrot it is. He's very big, blue, has a long tail, a black beak and yellow skin on his face. He looks like he's been plucking at his chest feathers too (a few bald spots). Some kind of Macaw? That's a Hyacinth Macaw, the largest of all parrots. They are quite ----snipped--- >8
Thanks. I've just Googled for "Hyacinth Macaw" - that's definitely what I have. He's certainly a magnificent bird. I just discovered tonight that he really likes TV. He perked right up when I was watching Dr Who and started running up and down his stand and squawking excitedly.
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
You surely have a Hyacinth Macaw. Their diets are pretty specialized. They shouldn't be given the usual seed mix given to other parrots. I believe they also eat Macadamia nuts as well. Do some searching online for diet information and you might try to get the bird to an avian vet.
Quote:
That's a Hyacinth Macaw, the largest of all parrots. They are quite expensive and actually do like brazil nuts. I'm not a macaw person, so let's see what others say.
On Sat, 13 May 2006 19:07:12 +0100, Ricky K. <nospam@please> wrote: A distant relative recently passed away and left me her pet parrot in her will. I hardly knew the woman but she knew I liked birds (I keep budgies), so here I am with her beloved parrot with not much of an idea how to handle him and look after him. Another distant family member who'd been looking after him, brought the bird and his stand round yesterday evening and left me to it, telling me that 'he likes walnuts and brazil nuts'. I'm not even sure what sort of parrot it is. He's very big, blue, has a long tail, a black beak and yellow skin on his face. He looks like he's been plucking at his chest feathers too (a few bald spots). Some kind of Macaw? Yellow on his face or by his lower beak? Does he/she have a yellow circle around its eyes?
Yellow around his lower beak and around his eyes. He's definitely a hyacinth macaw.
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
Ricky K. wrote:
Quote:
A distant relative recently passed away and left me her pet parrot in her will. I hardly knew the woman but she knew I liked birds (I keep budgies), so here I am with her beloved parrot with not much of an idea how to handle him and look after him. Another distant family member who'd been looking after him, brought the bird and his stand round yesterday evening and left me to it, telling me that 'he likes walnuts and brazil nuts'. I'm not even sure what sort of parrot it is. He's very big, blue, has a long tail, a black beak and yellow skin on his face. He looks like he's been plucking at his chest feathers too (a few bald spots). Some kind of Macaw? He's been sat around on his T-stand all day today looking a bit sullen. I've given him water and a bowl of sunflower seeds and I've been feeding him walnuts and brazil nuts on and off. I just gave him half an apple, that he seemed to like (picked it up with his foot and pecked away). ----snipped--- >8
I didn't really want him at first, but he won me over. I didn't realize what a wonderful pet a bird can be. He will miss his former owner for a while. They bond very tightly with their "mate." It took three months for my bird to adjust to his new home. There was some good advice above. Get him to a good avian vet for a good look over. Find a good bird store to advise you. Read some books, like "A Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot." Get your new friend on a healthy diet. Find out what NOT to feed him. Some common things are very bad. It takes a lot of patience at first. He misses his old home. Good luck with him. Keep us informed.
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
On 13 May 2006 13:37:17 -0700, "Terri" <Stormy0208@yahoo.com.NOSPLAM> wrote:
Quote:
Well first of your going to have to get that chain off his leg. If he thrashes around or falls he could easily break his leg. He needs a very large macaw cage to sleep in and hang out in and the stand is used to take him from room to room. He should get off the sunflower seed, too much fat for his system. The brazilian nuts and walnuts are fine. Besides that he needs a diet of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables for that is very healthy for him. It is good you got a vet appointment already, he probably needs bloodwork and it might be an idea to get him dna tested to find out if you got a boy or girl on your hands. From your description is sure sounds like a hyacinth. If it is they are the gentlest of all the large macaws. Your vet will give you good tips on feeding and caring. But again, that chain has to go, they do need their freedom of movement and getting him into a cage will be best for him and for you. Good Luck and congrats on your new addition to your flock.
As far as I know, he's been used to sleeping on his stand with his foot chained to it at night and going where he pleases during the day for 30+ years. Won't putting him in a cage really freak him out?
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
On Sun, 14 May 2006 00:19:22 GMT, Jim <jim@hotmail.com.NOSPLAM> wrote:
Quote:
Ricky K. wrote: I had a similar experience. I inherited a Sun Conure. I didn't really want him at first, but he won me over. I didn't realize what a wonderful pet a bird can be. He will miss his former owner for a while. They bond very tightly with their "mate." It took three months for my bird to adjust to his new home. There was some good advice above. Get him to a good avian vet for a good look over. Find a good bird store to advise you. Read some books, like "A Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot." Get your new friend on a healthy diet. Find out what NOT to feed him. Some common things are very bad. It takes a lot of patience at first. He misses his old home. ----snipped--- >8
I unhooked his chain for a bit to see what would happen tonight. He fluttered down onto the floor (HUGE wingspan on that lad), had a bit of a wander round, looked under and around the things in the room (staying away from me), tapped a few things with his beak and then went back to sit on his stand, seemingly satisfied with his exploring for now. I gave him another half an apple which he ate messily, then he started looking sleepy, so I put the chain back on and turned the lights down. Haven't heard a peep from him for a couple of hours now.
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
Ricky K. wrote:
Quote:
On Sun, 14 May 2006 00:19:22 GMT, Jim <jim@hotmail.com.NOSPLAM> wrote: Ricky K. wrote: I had a similar experience. I inherited a Sun Conure. I didn't really want him at first, but he won me over. I didn't realize what a wonderful pet a bird can be. He will miss his former owner for a while. They bond very tightly with their "mate." It took three months for my bird to adjust to his new home. There was some good advice above. Get him to a good avian vet for a good look over. Find a good bird store to advise you. Read some books, like "A Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot." Get your new friend on a healthy diet. Find out what NOT to feed him. Some common things are very bad. ----snipped--- >8
I know he's used to the chain, but, it's a really bad idea. My parrot has fallen off the top of the cage several times. If he had his leg chained to the cage, he probably would have gotten hurt. A broken leg can't be good. Get rid of the chain, have his wings trimmed, and find a good bird store for some advice on your new room mate. When you are as low on the food chain as they are, security is high on the list. They like to sleep in a covered cage. They are from the tropics, 12 hours of sleep a night. They love routine. My bird craps in a trash can next to the cage. I didn't train him, it was his idea. He NEVER goes on people of the furniture. Don't know how he knows, but, he knows. My bird loves carrots, corn, lettuce, asparagus. . . almost everything. Bread, whatever i am eating, I give him a piece. NO tomatoes, avocado, or chocolate. These things are poisonous. They are curious, and very intelligent. 30 might not be very old for that type of bird. Find out all you can.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 5:16 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
On Sun, 14 May 2006 02:44:13 +0100, Ricky K. wrote:
Quote:
As far as I know, he's been used to sleeping on his stand with his foot chained to it at night and going where he pleases during the day for 30+ years. Won't putting him in a cage really freak him out?
Firstly, best of luck with your new bird. Secondly, yes he/she probably won't like the cage at first. (Also you will, as I'm sure you realise, need to get a VERY large and strong cage for this bird - it's going to cost you a fair bit). If you have the time to let him out all or most of the day, I'd consider a cage just for him to sleep in. Although he's used to being chained to his stand, if something spooked him during the night then he would try to fly away from it - possibly with dire consequences if he's chained up. He would be much safer in a cage... .... the hard part will be getting him to agree! I'm ready to be corrected here, but my suggestion would be: 1. Obtain largest cage you can and introduce it into his environment. Put in some foods that you know he particularly likes. DON'T try to get him to go in though - he will eventually do so of his own accord. 2. Leave cage and stand together for as long as it takes. He will eventually get curious enough to want to explore the cage (which he may well have been afraid of to begin with). 3. Still leave his stand available, and let him go in and out of the cage as he pleases. Don't try to shut him in it. 4. After a time he will get used to having the cage around and may try to settle down in it for a rest. Moment of truth - time to close the door. Try to time this for when he usually settles for the night if you can. He will probably be p***ed off to start with, but unless he is getting REALLy agitated I would leave him to it. I'd still keep the stand in place for him to use in the daytime and for moving from room to room (without the chain). As I say, not an expert (I have two red lories, bit different in size from a hyacinth macaw!), and so stand ready to be corrected. Best of luck , and please keep us posted with how you get on. Regards Graham
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:13 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
On Sat, 13 May 2006 19:07:12 +0100, Ricky K. <nospam@please> wrote:
Quote:
A distant relative recently passed away and left me her pet parrot in her will. I hardly knew the woman but she knew I liked birds (I keep budgies), so here I am with her beloved parrot with not much of an idea how to handle him and look after him. Another distant family member who'd been looking after him, brought the bird and his stand round yesterday evening and left me to it, telling me that 'he likes walnuts and brazil nuts'. I'm not even sure what sort of parrot it is. He's very big, blue, has a long tail, a black beak and yellow skin on his face. He looks like he's been plucking at his chest feathers too (a few bald spots). Some kind of Macaw? You have a Hyacinth macaw from the description. They are built like a
tank. They tend to make great pets, but are quite capable of destroying your home. They are also exceptionally valuable, and are the largest of the Macaws. Go slow, and you are likely to have a really enjoyable companion for many many years to come. Brazil nuts are favorites, they are designed to run on very high cholesterol diets, and it does them no harm at all.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:17 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
On Sun, 14 May 2006 02:44:13 +0100, Ricky K. <nospam@please> wrote:
Quote:
On 13 May 2006 13:37:17 -0700, "Terri" <Stormy0208@yahoo.com.NOSPLAM> wrote: Well first of your going to have to get that chain off his leg. If he thrashes around or falls he could easily break his leg. He needs a very large macaw cage to sleep in and hang out in and the stand is used to take him from room to room. He should get off the sunflower seed, too much fat for his system. The brazilian nuts and walnuts are fine. Besides that he needs a diet of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables for that is very healthy for him. It is good you got a vet appointment already, he probably needs bloodwork and it might be an idea to get him dna tested to find out if you got a boy or girl on your hands. From your description is sure sounds like a hyacinth. If it is they are the gentlest of all the large macaws. Your vet will give you good tips on feeding and caring. But again, that chain has to go, they do need their freedom of movement and getting him into a cage will be best for him and for you. Good Luck and congrats on your new addition to your flock. ----snipped--- >8
life around the house for a long time. Some birds like the security of a cage, and I have seen even the friendliest macaws get very territorial about the inside of the cage. If you are comfortable with the birds as it is, and the birds is OK with it, I'd say forget the cage. A cage with the necessary strength for a Hyacinth not to destroy it costs almost as much as a car! Many birds are quite happy on T-Stands. My Macaw prefers to sleep on her cage as opposed to in it.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:21 am Post subject: Re: Inherited a parrot - need advice
You don't have to have a cage at all. This bird is probably older than the mischevious age and he's used to a T stand. My advice is that as long as he's happy and well behaved let him continue his life style. I have three macaws in my house, a scarlet, and two B&G's and they're never caged unless they've been really naughty or fighting which is quite rare now that they're all over eight years old. Yes, your parrot probably will chew on some things you rather he didn't when it's daytime and he's unattended. They do need some wood to chew on just to keep their beaks in trim.
I personally don't think a leg chain as any worse for the bird than being caged as long as he has food and water readily available. Actually it's probably less stressful for him if he can be neary you. My macaws would scream their heads off if I tried to chain them, but since yours is used to it and doesn't mind, why not just use it. It only needs to be on when you have to leave the house. There's no point at night. Macaws don't roam around in the dark. They sit on their perches and sleep. For similar reason I wouldn't clip the bird. Your bird will like it best having the feeling of security if his perch is near your bed at night and knowing he can fly to escape danger if it's ever necessary. Macaws don't sleep soundly and stay semi-concious watching for predators. They can sleep better in a flock and you're now the other half of the flock. Your sleeping near him is "quality time" for the bird and he'll bond to you quickly as a new flock member if you let him. Unlike a cage a T stand is very easy to move around. You can spread a drop cloth (plastic & paper used by painters) on the floor which makes cleanup easier than having a cage. Give him more than one sturdy and moderately high stand he can fly between to be near you and he'll give less problems with getting on the furniture. If he can't fly he'll be continually climbing the furniture. Flying is also a birds best execise and very good for them. Macaws climb with both beak and claws which is hard on furniture. Having a large macaw flying in your house can be a bit disconcerting, but I enjoy it. If the're raised flightworthy in a "human cage" (house) they don't run into walls or windows. THey easily understand the concept of glass once they're famliar with it.
When I make a sandwich I usually have one or two B&G's land on my shoulders to share. Occasional food sharing is expected among flock members. Don't freak out the first time your macaw offers you food. Just politely decline.
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