My 12 year old son and Katie

[MacawMomma]

Huge milestone for this pair yesterday!

My son of all the kids has been the one to spend the most time with Katie from the beginning. He reads to her, dances, plays ball and gives her treats. She's always been receptive to his company whereas she lunges at the other kids hahaha

Last week she put her foot up to step up on him and he put his arm out without asking me. Of course you can imagine what happened next...she bit him. I think she regretted her choice of perch lol

I was so proud of him, he stayed completely still and didn't respond at all. She's got great tension so didn't really hurt him. So I figured we'd have to give it at least a few weeks or months before he could handle her.

These last days she lets him touch her head through the bars and continued to lift her foot up for him.

Finally yesterday I had my son wear a thick jacket and try again. Success!!!! She was so happy to be perched on his arm and walked up to his shoulder!! He's through the moon!!

I'm still taking it baby steps and being cautious but it's so wonderful to see her developing a relationship with him.

He's definitely a bird lover :)
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[kendrafitz]

That is AWESOME!!!

Good for your son for having the courage to try again. He is a brave boy and it really paid off!!


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[PlaxMacaws]

That's some outstanding progress, Celia! Obviously Katie senses something special about your son. I'm guessing the initial bite may have been her way of setting a tentative boundary... as if to say: "Please understand that I'M the one in control of this situation!" Declaring such a control position likely made her feel more secure while interacting with him from that point forward. But be mindful that she may continue to do the controlled-biting thing on occasion in order to refresh her declaration.

When a large macaw pinches/squeezes without breaking skin and/or crushing bone, it's because there is no intention to do us harm. They are very compassionate and loving birds. However, when they become frightened they go into defense/self-preservation mode and all bets are off.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Fantastic, our son is much larger and 43 years old but won't go near Casper who loves to taunt him by making sudden lunges across the floor at Neil's feet.

[MacawMomma]

That's some outstanding progress, Celia! Obviously Katie senses something special about your son. I'm guessing the initial bite may have been her way of setting a tentative boundary... as if to say: "Please understand that I'M the one in control of this situation!" Declaring such a control position likely made her feel more secure while interacting with him from that point forward. But be mindful that she may continue to do the controlled-biting thing on occasion in order to refresh her declaration.

When a large macaw pinches/squeezes without breaking skin and/or crushing bone, it's because there is no intention to do us harm. They are very compassionate and loving birds. However, when they become frightened they go into defense/self-preservation mode and all bets are off.

This is so true!!!

Today she bit him with a lot more pressure but didn't break skin. She's been following him and trying to step up for him ever since

I told him to take it slow, he's not bothered by the bite and continues to give her his time and attention. I'm so proud of him

I gave him a few tips on how to watch for her body language, she's very predictable on when she's going to bite.

I read your response to him and he felt great that she's not trying to hurt him, just communicating :)

Progress!


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[MacawMomma]

Fantastic, our son is much larger and 43 years old but won't go near Casper who loves to taunt him by making sudden lunges across the floor at Neil's feet.

Hahaha!! What is it with parrots attacking feet? I know many that do this! It's their nemesis


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[MacawMomma]

That is AWESOME!!!

Good for your son for having the courage to try again. He is a brave boy and it really paid off!!


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I don't think I could've at his age!! [emoji15]


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[kendrafitz]

Fantastic, our son is much larger and 43 years old but won't go near Casper who loves to taunt him by making sudden lunges across the floor at Neil's feet.

Reminds me of Rosie. She runs at the kids, lunging and actually laughing while yelling OWWW!


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[kendrafitz]

My biggest bit of advice for him and body language: Watch for the "Mohawk". When the feathers just on the top of the head go up. That's I'm really annoyed! But the whole head fluff is Happiness!


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[MacawMomma]

My biggest bit of advice for him and body language: Watch for the "Mohawk". When the feathers just on the top of the head go up. That's I'm really annoyed! But the whole head fluff is Happiness!


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Love the whole head fluff!!

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[PlaxMacaws]

Reminds me of Rosie. She runs at the kids, lunging and actually laughing while yelling OWWW!


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThe saying OWWW while she's chasing them part always cracks me up :th_loltears:

[kendrafitz]

The saying OWWW while she's chasing them part always cracks me up :th_loltears:

Ha!! Rosie has a warped sense of humor! She fits right in with my family, all a little goofy!


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[PlaxMacaws]

My biggest bit of advice for him and body language: Watch for the "Mohawk". When the feathers just on the top of the head go up. That's I'm really annoyed! But the whole head fluff is Happiness!Except instead of the Mohawk, when Salsa's annoyed he usually fluffs up his entire head covering of feathers then pulls them all down about halfway as he's lunging forth. So I think it can vary a bit from bird to bird... even GW to GW.

[Dragonlady2]

Great progress! Your son is braver than I am....those big beaks scare me...lol.

[kendrafitz]

Love the whole head fluff!!

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So sweet!!


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[MacawMomma]

The saying OWWW while she's chasing them part always cracks me up :th_loltears:

I would love to see that in action!! Rosie sounds like quite a character!!

Has she ever been handled by kids?


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[kendrafitz]

I would love to see that in action!! Rosie sounds like quite a character!!

Has she ever been handled by kids?


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Rosie is a ornery, loud, demanding, loving, character for sure. She is technically my daughters. However she is really my girl. I have a 12 and 15 year old that don't handle her except for a taxi ride to me or to her tree here and there.

Mostly bc at a young age Rosie found it extremely entertaining when she would pinch and the kids yelled ouch! Thus her running at the kids, lunging, yelling OWW, all the while laughing her head off.


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[MacawMomma]

Rosie is a ornery, loud, demanding, loving, character for sure. She is technically my daughters. However she is really my girl. I have a 12 and 15 year old that don't handle her except for a taxi ride to me or to her tree here and there.

Mostly bc at a young age Rosie found it extremely entertaining when she would pinch and the kids yelled ouch! Thus her running at the kids, lunging, yelling OWW, all the while laughing her head off.


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I'm still laughing picturing this!! Love her personality!

My Katie is starting to chase my cats, she's been close and has no interest in hurting them just chases them [emoji23]


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[plax]

I'm still laughing picturing this!! Love her personality!

My Katie is starting to chase my cats, she's been close and has no interest in hurting them just chases them [emoji23]Celia, please do NOT allow Katie physical access to your cats. Cats are natural predators and thus may scratch or bite a bird - even a large one like Katie. It might be during playful activities or it might be a defensive maneuver if Katie were to lunge at or otherwise surprises one of your cats. The mouths and claws of cats contain a bacteria that's lethal for birds called Pasteurella. A mere scratch from a cat's claw can infect a bird with this pathogen. The bird may then suffer a very painful and rapid death. The risk is simply not worth taking.

Please see our policy statement on pet bird safety at: Bird Safety: Unnecessary Risks (as depicted in posts, avatars, signatures, albums) ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks](as-depicted-in-posts-avatars-signatures-albums))

[MacawMomma]

Celia, please do NOT allow Katie physical access to your cats. Cats are natural predators and thus may scratch or bite a bird - even a large one like Katie. It might be during playful activities or it might be a defensive maneuver if Katie were to lunge at or otherwise surprises one of your cats. The mouths and claws of cats contain a bacteria that's lethal for birds called Pasteurella. A mere scratch from a cat's claw can infect a bird with this pathogen. The bird may then suffer a very painful and rapid death. The risk is simply not worth taking.

Please see our policy statement on pet bird safety at: Bird Safety: Unnecessary Risks (as depicted in posts, avatars, signatures, albums) ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks](as-depicted-in-posts-avatars-signatures-albums))

I'm sorry, didn't mean to worry you! I don't keep the cats in any area with Katie. I completely agree with the dangers of having either of them hurt.

My story was an isolated incident that scared the poor cat and amused my Katie.

Definitely plan on not letting it occur again ;)

Thank you so much for all your advice, it's been so invaluable ❤️


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[plax]

I'm sorry, didn't mean to worry you! I don't keep the cats in any area with Katie. I completely agree with the dangers of having either of them hurt.

My story was an isolated incident that scared the poor cat and amused my Katie.

Definitely plan on not letting it occur again ;)

Thank you so much for all your advice, it's been so invaluable ❤️That's good to know :). Some folks believe there's an adequate measure of safety afforded if they stand nearby and supervise the physical interaction between prey pets and predator pets. Unfortunately, a cat can swipe its paw so quickly that it may make little difference, even when a supervising human is positioned within mere inches from them.

Thanks for understanding.

[MacawMomma]

That's good to know :). Some folks believe there's an adequate measure of safety afforded if they stand nearby and supervise the physical interaction between prey pets and predator pets. Unfortunately, a cat can swipe its paw so quickly that it may make little difference, even when a supervising human is positioned within mere inches from them.

Thanks for understanding.

I'm a newbie parr-ent so I appreciate every caution and advice! And it's great to continue to share these things to reiterate their importance.

The vet gave me a lot of great cautions (more like freaked me out) on all the dangers that can occur with these majestic birds. They're so big but so fragile at the same time.

The great thing is her blood work came back normal so she's is great health and I plan on keeping her there ❤️




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[plax]

I'm a newbie parr-ent so I appreciate every caution and advice! And it's great to continue to share these things to reiterate their importance.

The vet gave me a lot of great cautions (more like freaked me out) on all the dangers that can occur with these majestic birds. They're so big but so fragile at the same time.

The great thing is her blood work came back normal so she's is great health and I plan on keeping her there ❤️You're so right! They're big, they're bold, and they're fragile... and it's all rolled together. Your news about Katie's blood work is excellent! Congratulations to both of you :D

[MacawMomma]

You're so right! They're big, they're bold, and they're fragile... and it's all rolled together. Your news about Katie's blood work is excellent! Congratulations to both of you :D

Thank you! With older birds it's so good to keep on top of it. She hadn't had a check up in years so were going in there blind.

Healthy bird, happy momma!


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