Help I think I may be a bad parrot parent?

Question

I have a mili-gold macaw, half military and half blue and gold. I have had her for about 4 months now, she will be a year old in august. We seen her at a pet store and just had to have her. We are first time bird owners and may be a little laxed where we shouldnt be. One we dont cage her at all, she wont get down off her cage in the middle of the night or if we leave but if she knows you are home she is off her cage and looking for you. You know when you have been found because you get that huge HI!!!!! when she finds you. Should we be cageing her? If so will this make her start to plucdk feathers or change her additude. Anything will help we love her to peices, but she wont stop destroying things, remotes, molding, picture frames, if you are or have been a bird owner you should know. Any help and info will be great. 10 points also given to best answer thank you

Answer 1

First of all, you got your bird from a pet store, so I don't think she had the best upbringing. For right now, I strongly recommend that you research, research, research. Google about macaws as much as you can -- I know it sounds simple, but the whole point is to DO it. Your bird is still a baby, and you better brace for harder times when she hits maturity some months later.

I'd definitely recommend caging her at least during the night. If she gets scared or anything during the night (not uncommon for parrots), she'd go flying all over your house and destroy furniture etc. and even worse, hurt herself. Cover her cage with a dark cloth during the night, this will reduce her night frights.

Secondly, if you are not prepared to have some destroyed furniture, you're not prepared for a macaw to be in your home -- get her some appropriately-sized chewable toys to minimize this behavior. And daily interaction is extremely important -- at least 2 hours daily of caressing, cuddling and direct (one-on-one) talking with your macaw is necessary for a happy bird. And make sure that she interacts with many people, otherwise she'll be bonded to one person and be violent to other people.

And you'll also need to make sure that your home is bird-proofed. A bird-safe home is absolutely necessary for a pet bird for its own safety and the home's safety. Search "bird-safe" on Wikipedia to find out more about bird-proofing your home.

The points that I missed on can be found by Googling on macaws. So research, research, research!

Answer 2

Normally you should cage it at night with a cover over the cage. Its how they know its sleep/quiet time. She shouldn't pluck feathers etc unless she never gets out and gets bored. She has to know who's boss. Keep toys in her cage too as well as on top for play time. Let her know that she cant destroy your things buy taking them away and putting her in the cage for a time out. She will get the idea.

Answer 3

You should cage her when she is alone for her own safety, and to stop her destroying everything. She could bite into an electrical wire and die.

As long as she has a big cage (the bigger the better) and lots of toys then she shouldn't get bored and start plucking.

Let her out of the cage when you are around, and then she will still get lots of contact with you and not get bored.

I put the TV on for my African Grey during the day if he's on his own, he loves to watch TV, especially The Simpsons!