What's the best way to tame a B&G Macaw?

Question

I have a blue and gold macaw that I got January of this year. I have worked with him and made progress however he will still not allow me to touch anything but his back --and on occasion the top of his head-- I am wanting to take him to the vet but I can't because he will bite anyone that tries to examine him. Does any experience macaw owner know the best way to teach him to allow people to examine him and strangers, such as a vet, to handle him in general?

Answer 1

You may find that the bird is easier to handle if he/she is away from their cage. They seem to be a little more trusting when they are out of the element.

An experienced avian vet will also know how to handle your bird in order to examine him/her. If the bird is uncooperative, there is always the toweling method. Good luck!

Answer 2

I have a Blue and Gold (11 years) and a Greenwing Macaw (5 years). Don't be afraid to take him to the vet, especially an avian vet. They can handle the bird, our avian vet can handle or Blue and Gold like he has known the bird all his life.

It is important they get checked, or have their wings clipped or nails trimmed.

These birds take time to gain trust in people some times. My Greenwing will step up to anyone and cuddle up with them. The Blue & Gold not so much.

The more people the birds are around the more they become accustomed to them.

Good luck and if you need some more help I'll try, contact me.

  

Answer 3

no bird really likes to be man handled but sometimes you just got to do it. and it is all in how much he trusts you. i have a blue crown that gets fiesty with me and wont let be touch him in certain spots and i've had him for seven years. but i can do anything to my senegal and she could care less. it's up to the bird really and their personality. sometimes it can take longer to gain trust with the bigger birds because they can sense if you are intimidated by them. you may not think you show it but they know.  any avian vet should know how to handle a bird. your gonna have to learn how to hold him if you want to trim wings and nails. i know, they sound like they are dying when they scream during a hold but they really are fine, as long as you do it the right way. like i said they dont enjoy being man handled. no animal does. you can teach the bird to have manners, although sometimes they just chose not to like certain people and frankly there is nothing you can do about that. it's almost like training a dog or a toddler for that matter. if he tries to bite or starts to lunge at you or who ever, you have to let him know that you are the boss and it is not acceptable to lunge when all he needs to do is step up. remember that any little thing can scare a bird too. patience is key. i used to work with a hyacinth. she intimidated anyone that didn't know her, including me. she knew i was scared. one day i went to clean her house and i guess i was not  in a good mood from the day. she was lunging at me at trying to scare me. when i told her and made her step up so i could take her out of her house it was then that she realized i meant business. i didn't hurt her in anyway but she noticed the change and demeanor in my voice and how i lookd at her. from then on she knew i wasn't scared anymore. after that and even years later she lets me do whatever.