cdsheid
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« on: March 01, 2012, 11:25:01 am » |
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Hi, my name is chris and i just got a 20 year old blue and gold macaw named mac 4 weeks ago this saturday. The lady i got him from was given the bird and had him for 8 months and had to let him go for health reasons. She said she took him out of a bad enviroment. only thing i was told is that the previous owners put cage in laundry room and locked him up and there and he never got any attention. I did research for 9 months on diet, behaviour, diseases, signs on good breeders and what to look for if buying a baby parrot, plucking problems. How they need to be socially and visually stimulated just like any child to have a good dimeanor.
The lady said when she got the bird it took him 8 weeks to warm up to her and step up on her arm. I drove in my car with him in a kennel faced toward me in the passenger seat for the two hour drive back home. i was told he like music so he had to listen to me sing music to him for the 2 hrs. i thought it would be a good way to bond. After getting him home i let him walk out of the kennel, which when he did he climbed up door and stood on top, as he watched me set up his cage and carry it in from outside. after the cage was sat up i sat with him for a half hr and talked to him and then he would step up on my arm. the second day he would step up on command and on the third day he would finally let me scratch and pet the top of his head. Since then he has been the perfect bird. he has only screetched real loud 3 times and the last time was over two weeks ago. he loves his twice weekly showers and his new play perch i just purchased for him. We have grown on each other pretty quick. i live in iowa and it is winter but there has been two 60 degree days were we took walks. He does not know how to fly so he just sits on my shoulder and loves it. we draw alot of attention. people pull over to take pictures and ask questions. It is alot of fun. he can say, hi, hello, hi mac, pretty bird, he laughs in perfect timing to to the tv, even before the audience laughs on tv. its like he can understand the comedic tone in the voice and knows its a joke. but i will ramble on more about him later. I am a member on macaw forum and yoshimike told me about this site. As soon as i figure out how to upload pictures i will do so and alot ask but no i have not had any previous bird experience but did do my research and fully understood the good and the bad i could possilby be getting into.
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Ditty
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« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2012, 12:11:11 pm » |
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Nice to see you here!  you are already doing so great with him!!!  You can tell from the pics how happy he is. (haha everyone I saw pics and you didn't  neener neener ) still want his playstand. You will love these folks here, very knowledgable, and BTW we LIKE rambling here so ramble on...*ditty pulls up a perch* ...waiting. |
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BuffaloParrot
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« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2012, 01:12:05 pm » |
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Welcome to BP |
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BPMar
Mom of our Flock! AKA K&T Mom
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« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2012, 01:22:27 pm » |
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NahhhNahhhh Ditty!  Hello and welcome!!! I applaud you for taking in this parrot, even though not familiar with them and doing the research that you have done!  It sounds like you are doing very well and that is a huge thing to take on for the first time. Your learning and research will always be ongoing at least in my opinion. I couldn't imagine our first parrot being a BG but it sounds like you are dedicated and that counts for a lot. I think you will enjoy yourself here and am sure will get lots of good advice and good times!
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YoshiMike13
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« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2012, 01:30:29 pm » |
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Hey i was hoping you would come :) there is a site called tinypic.com where you just get a pic from your computer and it converts it into a jpg or png link (picture) that you can just copy. When you reply, there sould be something that says img or image, click that and copy and paste the link inside the thing that shows up on your reply. The finished link should look like this: [img]http://www.blahblahblahexampleblahblahblah.jpg[img/]
or if you upload your pictures to photobucket or flicker thats easy too. Tinypic is really easyyou will undestand if u go on it. Im glad to have you here. How is mac?
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cdsheid
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« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2012, 02:36:49 pm » |
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YoshiMike13
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« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2012, 02:45:52 pm » |
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if you copy those links into the middle of what i put there, the pictures will show up on the site. the inset image button is right under the italic button, so it is the second button on the bottom row. (img)(/img) u just have to replace the ( to a [ or it wont let me show you. im on the chat by the way example  |
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« Last Edit: March 01, 2012, 02:50:00 pm by YoshiMike13 »
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Sondra
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« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2012, 02:50:23 pm » |
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Hello and welcome! My word he is gorgeous! Read and ask all the questions you want, we are here to share our knowledge. A word of warning about him not being able to fly when out doors. Unless he is physically unable to fly due to an injury to his wings he can fly if startled. Please learn to use a harness and leash when you have him out. Birds on your shoulder, especially a Macaw, is an invitation for a bite if he becomes startled. People are stupid when they see you walking with a bird, they honk their horns, slam on their brakes and jump out of the car wanting to touch the bird, hang out of car/truck windows and yell as they go by, I've even had people throw things at us as we've been walking. With a harness on your Macaw and him sitting on your arm you'll have much more control should he become startled and you won't loose an ear.  Watch the cat, a scratch from a cat can kill your bird, and never let the cat lick the bird. Cat saliva is deadly to birds. |
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BuffaloParrot
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« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2012, 03:02:37 pm » |
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He is one handsome boy! |
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cdsheid
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« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2012, 03:08:22 pm » |
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thanks sondra. I have heard about the cats one cat my seimese pays him not attention what so ever and the kitten is just curious. So far so good with all of them. I keep the bird out of cage on his play perch even when i am gone. Figure its safer for him rather than beeing lower in his cage were the cats could reach in but they do great together. But as far as flight, he was in a bad situation and really scared if you have an object in your hand. He can flap his wings and gets full extension with both but it is nothing like what i have seen macaws online do. I believe there was probably damage done at one point in time because he does not flap near as quick as what i see. i have looked into the harnesses for him and will probably get one. We have had alot of people yell out the car nice bird, people pull over for pictures, took him in pet stores with dogs walking all around. He seems to be pretty wise with his age. When he is out and about he seems to be more curious about everything than he is scared. he hangs out on my arm when i walk around but he prefers my shoulder he grabs my sleeve gently and climbs up my arm to my shoulder. I dont believe i need a harness but it is something ive been thinking about. He will always be riding on my shoulder so a harness wont help me from losing an ear. he trusts me and i will trust him. with doctors these days they can always reattach right? lol
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YoshiMike13
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« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2012, 03:16:00 pm » |
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:2funny: lol. that is true.. very many surgeons. i still wouldnt want it to ever get to that point tho lol.
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cdsheid
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« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2012, 03:17:53 pm » |
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Well work is almost over in 15 minutes. I will be back on tomorrow no computer at home so i will reply to posts tomorrow. i appreciate all the comments and enjoy having mac alot. He now has a forever home no matter what he does. You dont get rid of a kid and i believe animals are family too no matter how much they pee or poop around the house lol if grandma starts doing it your not getting rid of her so why a pet lol. Its your problem to work through with your animal and if your not willing to do it, its going to be hard for your pet to find someone else to.
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