i have a pet (mcaw) question i hope someone can give me ideas or answers?

Question

i'm a first time mcaw owner his name is charlie he's 2 years old,i've had him 1 and 1/2 yrs.Mcaws are very demanding loud some what destructive and alot is involved raising and caring for these types of birds,but i'm patient and slowly learning about him love him to death.A resent trip to pet store i was aproached by a employee who knows me and has seen me come there for 6 years,she told me her freind has a 5 yr old mcaw and she wants give him a good home she loves him but can't keep him,and she wants a person who knows the upkeep and dificultys with mcaws,and is willing to take on the responsibility and keep.Which i'm prepared to do and i know a lil about so i agreed to take him,but i'm unsure how i should introduce him into my home and make him comfortable.And i'm unsure if two of the same breed and same sex birds can get along,and how and when i should introduce them to each other.does anyone have any helpfull ideas or free information sites on mcaws?

Answer 1

Hi there!

I just introduced my second macaw to the mix, myself. My first bird is Rio, a Military Macaw. My second bird is Katie, a Greenwing Macaw.

Since Katie's still at the shoppe and will be until she's weaned (mid-februaryish) what I've been doing is taking Rio in to meet her. I don't let them physically interact yet because I don't trust Rio to be nice. So, I put them on playstands next to each other so that they can socially interact.

After she comes home, she'll find that her cage is within site of Rio's. This will calm down the screaming from room to room when they can't see each other.

Once they've interacted enough that I feel comfortable having them physically interact, I'll put them on the same play stand and see what happens. If they do well, then I'll let down my guard a bit. However, I'll never leave them together physically where I can't see them. To do so could mean one or the other's death sentence.

If you need any help at all, use my email. I'll do whatever I can to help, and if I don't know the answer, I have access to people who do.

Answer 2

Introduction of one bird to another can be good/bad. Are both or one of them hand raised? A true hand-raised bird is an imprint bird and does not see itself as a bird, but a person. That is the first question you will need to answer. If one is an imprint and the other not. One will see the other as a bird and the other as a person. If they are both imprints you could also have a mess on your hands. If you can not get the true answers to these questions then it becomes trial and error. ANOTHER thing to consider. Birds can harbor disease that is transferable. Even though the carrier is healthy does not mean that he/she is a clean bird. Through vet ck is highly recommend.
If you choose to try and introduce the two, it needs to be done very slowly. Start with different rooms, then the same room, opposite ends of the room and then gradually bringing them closer together. This does not mean that it will work. I have had an African Grey and a cockatoo lock beaks through a cage and not let go for over an hour. Obviously I have leaned the hard . way! Hope this is some help

Answer 3

I wouldn't take the other bird. Don't take it because you can't say "no". Being the same sex they might not get along - then what; The bird may have to be moved again.

If you take it, put it in a seperate cage next to your bird's cage until they get to know each other (about a week). Then put them together in a nutral place such as a playstand. Stay close, observe, give them each a treat, and talk to them. Let them socialize for short periods at a time until you can tell that they will be ok.

Answer 4

birds naturally like to be with other birds. (My bigger birds will spring my little birds out of their cages.) I would introduce them slowly and gradually - I wouldn't even keep them in the same room until they show an interest in wanting to be in the same room together. I would also make sure that you spend as much time if not more with Charlie while you are introducing this new bird into your house.