Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Grey]

Ok, I'm throwing this entire caper together on the fly, but I desperately need advice. There is a scarlet macaw that has been listed on my local Craigslist for several months now. I have put in an aggressive bid to buy her. Beautiful girl. Here are the problems:

1. She is 8 years old and has been used as a breeder. I know the drill, slow and easy, earn trust, don't set unrealistic expectations
2. I have my own flock to think of. I have sent an email to my vet giving her a head's up
3. No cage or carrier big enough....still working on this
4. She is totally and completely blind in both eyes. Don't know where to start here throw me some ropes.

About me:
I've kept many species of birds, but no macaws.
I've kept birds with handicaps, but only feet (no blind ones)
Vet care is not a pressing concern, I have good financial resources (though not infinite) any clues as to what to expect?
I have contacted Florida Parrot Rescue for their input, am very willing to consider surrendering her to a sanctuary (though not a rescue in her case) if that winds up being what is best.

Any advice or input anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. I am sure I have no idea what I am really getting myself into

[sfelker]

she sounds like a lot of work. esp. if she's blind, poor girl. I think a bird sanctuary would be the best for her. She's going to need so much and a special cage. Something to think about..

[Grey]

Hi Stacy:

You are across the bay from me, I am in Tampa. I am leaning strongly to getting her and delivering her to a sanctuary at this point. Definitely not trying to be a hero here. I haven't got the foggiest notion of how to transport, feed, or water a blind macaw. Of course I traded in my truck for a convertible and my partner traded in his SUV for a Prius.

[PlaxMacaws]

I have never provided care for a blind bird. I don't personally feel that it would be a wise move to plunge into caring for such a bird without appropriate knowledge and prepartaion. And I doubt that many would be able to adequately prepare for such a responsibility within a short period of time. For this reason, unless you are able to consult with someone who has ample experience in caring for such a bird, I'm inclined to second the recommendation for the sanctuary solution. Perhaps others here have some differing views or on point experience, however.

[tonkatiel]

I have no idea what you should do... Just thought I'd mention that I read something only yesterday about blind birds - to help them find their food you can 'tap' on their bowls until they come over to investigate the sound. You have to do this several times a day though to make sure they are eating enough... I imagine it would be something that wouldn't automatically work though and would need some training...

[Turquoise]

Oh my goodness George! When You Decide To get A Macaw You Go For The gold!! I would expect nothing less from you. :)

As you already know I have one physically challenged macaw, my Angel but he is in no way as challenged as this Scarlet girl. I don't have any experience with totally blind birds and have never been around one.So I can't help with how to go about setting her up or care.

You are definitely passionate about this, I can tell and I know you well enough to know you are capable of making a go with her if you take on the challange. My suggestion would be to talk this all out with your vet, tell her everything you know about the Scarlet and see what advice she has. Also speak with a/the sanctuary you may consider re - homing her with to get insight on what you are up against. She obviously is capable of feeding herself and getting along with he disability so she may not be all that hard to care for. These birds are amazing and disabilities in them are not always impossible to adjust to. Angel is a dream to own and requires no more adjustment to live with or care for than a few extra perches crossed on themselves for him to lay across when he tires of hanging on the enclosure wire door & sides.

Dog carriers are plenty large enough for macaws. Not sure if with her blindness it would affect her tho. What does the owner say about her needs? Dog carries fit in the back seat of almost any vehicle or like when we brought Ruby Jewel home on a 3 hr trip from Dallas airport, her carrier fit fine in the area where the back seats lay down in a V W New Beetle. Remember she is a green wing macaw and they are larger usually than Scarlets.

[PlaxMacaws]

Another consideration: Whether you decide to keep this Scarlet and tend to her needs yourself, or convey her to a care facility instead, it may be best to preserve her current cage setting - assuming she in fact lives in a cage. This could be done by either allowing her to remain in her current cage, or re-creating a virtually identical environment for her in a different cage of approximately the same dimensions. Doing so may ensure that she will be able to easily find her food and water bowls, as well as her perches, without having to learn the layout again. Unless someone is hand delivering food and water to her beak on a daily basis, she probably has the layout of her current cage committed to memory. Consequently, I'd guess that the same layout would make things easier for her.

[Macawfancy]

Grey, thanks for caring so much for this bird. As Tony mentioned a familiar layout would be important and a point to remember is that they startle easily if you approach too fast, so you should verbally let them know you are there. There is a FB site Care for Blind Birds ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]) that might be of help to you.

[Grey]

Thanks for the link. That was very helpful. After a good night's sleep, I think the best thing will be to get her checked by the vet and surrender her to a sanctuary that can meet her needs. My main priority has been and still is to get her out of her current situation. Now I just need to find a sanctuary and see about the intake process. I'll keep you updated

[BeakFace]

Ok, I'm throwing this entire caper together on the fly, but I desperately need advice. There is a scarlet macaw that has been listed on my local Craigslist for several months now. I have put in an aggressive bid to buy her. Beautiful girl. Here are the problems:

1. She is 8 years old and has been used as a breeder. I know the drill, slow and easy, earn trust, don't set unrealistic expectations
2. I have my own flock to think of. I have sent an email to my vet giving her a head's up
3. No cage or carrier big enough....still working on this
4. She is totally and completely blind in both eyes. Don't know where to start here throw me some ropes.

About me:
I've kept many species of birds, but no macaws.
I've kept birds with handicaps, but only feet (no blind ones)
Vet care is not a pressing concern, I have good financial resources (though not infinite) any clues as to what to expect?
I have contacted Florida Parrot Rescue for their input, am very willing to consider surrendering her to a sanctuary (though not a rescue in her case) if that winds up being what is best.

Any advice or input anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. I am sure I have no idea what I am really getting myself into

TALK TO DEBBIE AT Birds of Paradise Sanctuary and Rescue. She is in the Palmetto area. She is just beyond wonderful when it comes to handicaps and has experience with blind birds of all kinds. She now has a Macaw which is blind in one eye and an Amazon blind in both eyes and many others I can't be specific on. She is in the process of moving to a new location in the next few weeks which is going to be so nice, WOW! I do as much as I can to volunteer and buy food and toys. I have been there often so I can speak first hand she is wonderful and kind and so patient. If you are wanting to try this out yourself I am sure she will help you any way she can. I call her sometimes to get help or ask questions whenever. Good luck to you. She has a website as well.

[Grey]

I was thinking of Debbie Huckabee as a 1st choice , I had heard that she was retiring and talking to someone else about running BOP?

[spiritbird]

I have no big bird experience so will leave any advice up to others. Best of luck to you and the bird. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[kendrafitz]

I don't have any advice.

I just wanted to say I think you are doing an awesome thing! That poor scarlet finally caught a break when you read her ad. People like you make the world a better place!!

[Blancaej]

I agree, you are doing something wonderful here by making sure she gets into the right place and proper care. It goes to show, even though we can't help all these poor birds and take them into our own homes, we can at least try to find them a better place to live. Kudos!

[Grey]

1984
Well, Scarlet has been with us now about 2 months. She is blind in both eyes, deaf, a lot older than we were led to believe, full of papillomas, and she has 2 BBs lodged in her right leg from a long time ago. None of that matters to me, she is safe now. She has been to the vet several times so we can get a handle on what she needs, her blood work actually came back pretty good, all things considered. We announce ourselves by tapping on her perch to let her know we are there, tapping on the food and water dishes when we refill them. She has discovered the joy of destroying wood and eating nuts in the shell. She is being indulged with nuts since she was only 730g when we got her. She will probably never be a cuddly bird, but that was not part of my thought process when I got her anyway.

- - - Updated - - -

1985

[Mare]

What a lucky bird! You have a good heart for taking her in. Does she live on this perch full time or does she have a cage also?

[Grey]

I had a new dragonwood stand custom built for her needs. The thing is almost as big as my dining room table. She prefers to stay out on it, though her cage is always accessible if she ever wants to go in. She is just now exploring her boing. I'm hoping to set up a cargo net for her this weekend

[PlaxMacaws]

You have a very interesting situation. I've never known anyone who has cared for a bird who is both blind and deaf. You are certainly to be commended for taking her in! Does anyone know how she became blind and deaf? Since you've stated that she was a breeder, I wouldn't think it a genetic defect.

[Mare]

I'm curious as to how she moves around?! Does she stumble a lot? I just imagine myself being blind and deaf,,especially bold like Helen Keller! Is she like this?

[Pinkbirdy]

WONDERFUL !!! Things look like theyre going to turn out great :) [ and you will learn the magic of Macaws and be hooked]

[Grey]

You have a very interesting situation. I've never known anyone who has cared for a bird who is both blind and deaf. You are certainly to be commended for taking her in! Does anyone know how she became blind and deaf? Since you've stated that she was a breeder, I wouldn't think it a genetic defect.

We (the vet and I) are thinking that there was some trauma and neurological damage somewhere in her life. I would assume it was in the same time period when she was shot with the BB gun. She manages to get to where she wants to go, just a little slower than most. She uses her left foot and her beak mostly to get around. She still has some use of the right foot, but it is much weaker than the left foot.

[Pinkbirdy]

Does she allow you to touch her ?

[Blancaej]

She is beautiful! Big pat on the back for taking her in. I am sure she is in heaven. Sounds like this poor thing has been through too much. :(

I am so glad you found her! Sounds like you are doing a great job! :)

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

[Grey]

We are working on touching. right now she will explore my hand with her beak and tongue while I am changing the food and water dishes. As long as I keep the physical contact with that hand, I can slide my hand around and scratch her head. If I take my hand off and try to touch her she gets frightened

[PlaxMacaws]

That poor baby :(. What she has gone through is simply unimaginable! The potential for human cruelty is beyond repugnant! The victim impact from it is beyond tragic :'(

[Rescued]

I just cant imagine. This bird finally found her soft landing. Im so glad that you are able to help her.

[Cedardave]

Wow....to hear all the effort you have put in to the care of this bird warms my heart to know there are people like you in the world.It seems you are not only up to this challenge,but have embraced it.Good for you...you should be very proud of youself to have such compasion.

[Pinkbirdy]

Have you figured out her age?

[Grey]

The vet and I are guessing mid 20s. She doesn't have a band, but does have a remnant of a tattoo under her wing. we're basing the estimate on how much of the tattoo has faded

[Turquoise]

George, Scarlet is adorable in those photos. Isn't it just grand how when a macaw or any parrot for that matter knows they have to do things a little different than their counterparts! I'm sure by now you have seen in Scarlet the willingness to survive and make the best of her unique situation. Now she knows the tender touch and care of someone who loved her enough before he even met her to take a chance and set her free of her breeding days and caged life. Hugs to you George and Scarlet.

[Grey]

Thanks De'...I didn't do anything that anybody else should have done. I am arguing with the vet though. He says that there is no harm in leaving the BBs in, they are steel after all. But the principle is making me resist what is obviously a rational decision. Removing them may cause more damage, won't increase functionality of the leg since it was an old injury, will traumatize her by having to have surgery, etc. But I WANT them out. This is not the way I normally think, I don't usually make decisions based on emotion... until it has something to do with her

[PlaxMacaws]

As you've indicated, the vet has a valid point about further trauma and the potential for additional physical impairment that may result from surgery to remove the BBs. And it sounds as if the BBs have been lodged in her leg for a very long while. However, one thing that's worth considering is that steel BBs are typically plated with copper and/or zinc, which are both significantly toxic to birds. My guess, though, is that the BBs in her leg have been sufficiently encapsulated by her system - I'm sure that your vet has considered all of this. If you haven't already done so, you may want to consider having her tested for heavy metal toxicity. Embedded objects containing certain toxic metals can leach into the bloodstream progressively.

[Grey]

The vet ran blood work to check for any leaching metals when he ran her last panel. He is confident they pose no threat. Just the idea that she has to live with them bothers me I guess