she lets me feed her, but will not let me touch her. She lets my boyfriend pet her, but acts agressive with me. Former owners had her 3 months, they said she has no preferance to sexes. I am in a wheel chair, could this be bothering her?
2006-09-09 07:43:31 · 7 answers · asked by myenta1 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
If the wheel chair does startle her, eventually she will get used to it. So I wouldn't worry about that just yet. She will probably really get to like it when she learns that she can get rides with you!
You didn't mention her history: how old she is, how long you have had her and how long she was with the former owners. This information would be useful.
Okay let's start with the aggression:
First observe her when she is eating. I have no idea what diet she is on, but by watching what she eats first, you will learn what she likes best.
Watch her when you are eating...if she begins to lean toward your spaghetti, or your mashed potatoes...whatever it is...bingo...you might have a reinforcer right there.
The idea is to find the one thing she will "work" for. Everyone has one thing they will work for...you just have to find out what the best "paycheck" is for Her. Take that item out of her regular diet. Use it only for positive reinforcement training. Sometimes the hardest part of training is finding the correct treat, also known as a "reinforcer".
Take it slow and easy and try to spend an equal amount of time with her as your boyfriend. Offer her treats for coming over to you and taking the treat while she is in her cage. Praise her for politely taking it. Praise her wildly! Make her associate the treat with her being polite and then she will associate the "Good Girllllll!" with the treat.
She will then learn, "If I do this....then I get this!"
After that you will have to baby-step her into coming for a treat to the door. Then she comes to the door and takes one with the door open. And so on...
Please read those websites on positive reinforcement training...they will go into more detail on how to go about this. I've merely painted broad strokes here.
Other things you can do to establish a relationship with her. Sit next to her cage when you are doing anything. Talk to her. Sit there and read. Sit there whle you sew, or cut up veggies...anything you can do near her cage.
Tell her what you are doing every minute. Pay attention to her. Explain things to her. Include her in your conversation. Make her feel like she is part of the "Flock". Birds are quite social... this will help her feel included and boost her self-confidence. If she is more confident and less fearful, I believe she will tend to bite less as she will feel less defensive.
The following are good training websites:
http://www.birdsnways.com/
http://www.upatsix.com/
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/behavior/...
http://www.naturalencounters.com/parrot....
http://www.avianpublications.com/items/b...
http://www.pet-parrots.com/parrots/parro...
http://www.clickertraining.com/training/...
These are just a few websites. Positive reinforcement training is essential for a happy well-behaved bird with good manners.
In order to train your Macaw, you have to learn a few things and do your homework.
Macaws are wonderful and very smart and can be delightful companions. Training is essential.
Good Luck!
2006-09-09 08:34:57 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most macaws will be sweet and playful as babies, but then once they reach sexual maturity, they begin getting aggressive and testy of your boundaries. This is true of most parrots in general, even little cockatiels will push their limits sometimes. But, if you've got a family to tend to, I would wait until they're all either older or moved out. Getting a macaw is adding another needy 3-year old to your household. They require MUCH more time than any dog or cat and have to be out any time that you are home. And that can be a problem if they bond to one person... They can inflict incredible bites out of jealousy, some of them so bad that they require stitches. If you're looking for a "family" bird, try the conure species. They have the easiest temperament of birds larger than cockatiels, or so I've always experienced. Poicephalus can be too, but there are always exceptions. Other than the family situation, macaws are amazing birds and should be handled by owners with previous experience only.
2016-03-27 04:11:04 · answer #2 · answered by Katherine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had a blue and gold macaw for about 5 years now. They lik eto squawk for there attetion but they are very smart peraps sitting in front of his perch or cage could help. maybe trying to teach him a few new words or tricks. My bird can say mom, hello, kiss kiss, goodbye, Buddy, I love u, help me, im hungry, and last but not least can some one get the phone!!! lol remember These birds are not always gonna like every one. Most of them are gonna hate some one in your house hold. Sreating a bond should be the first thing done when u got him.
GOOD LUCK
2006-09-09 08:10:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't act afraid of her just show her who the boss is, don't give her a choice about getting on your arm. Maybe have your boyfriend put her on your chair so she can check it out. You probably will get bit a few times however it's usually not life threatening or requires stitches. She is testing your level of fear when she acts aggressive when she feels you are comfortable with her she will stop acting out.
I found this all out because my mom had a blue macaw that I had to learn to take care of when my mom got sick. I didn't attempt to touch her for 4 years until I was forced to when my mom got ill. After a week of handling her she was like my best friend.
2006-09-09 07:57:09 · answer #4 · answered by Perry L 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I would cover the chair, just in case. Shiny and big cant be comforting?
But I would also contact a rescue or look for sites online. They will have LOADS of first hand knowledge on how to get him more friendly.
It takes time. I would sit near him and coo. Sing to him. Get him comfortable over a few weeks in this way. Then try moving onward.
I'm so jealous..bandg sooo pretty!
2006-09-09 10:46:57 · answer #5 · answered by WriterMom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have your boyfriend pick her up and put her on your arm.. sometimes it makes a differents when the bird is a way from the cage.. also having the wings clipped seems 2 make them more gentle.. having a bird above your head makes them aggressive.. and that might be why.. i don't think its the chair .. spending time and talking 2 the bird everyday seems 2 make you one they can trust.
2006-09-09 07:54:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
takes time to gain their trust. it is possible he is try to bond with one person. the more you handle the bird the better they get. my blue and gold lets everyone handle him.
2006-09-09 07:49:33 · answer #7 · answered by ssgtusmc3013 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋