Macaw Body Language

[rivx]

Does anyone have any advice on reading a macaws body language?

I have never interacted with one before but my grandmother, more bird experienced than I, is adopting a blue and gold named Rachel soon!

She plans to let the bird free range when she's home, and I visit her fairly often so I'd like to prepare for interaction.

How do you read their body language? I've gotten pretty good with my 'tiel, but macaws are so different!

[Dragonlady2]

I haven't any experience with macaws. Others may be along to address this with you. In the meantime, try looking for YouTube videos. It's amazing what is on the internet now.
Kudos to your grandmother for adopting the macaw!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I think watch out for pinning eyes and fanned tail. Again, I have no experience with macaws. You can usually tell when any bird is genuinely not happy with your being close. Some birds will have a sneaky peck just to see where you are in the pecking order to which you should not react with hurt but give a stern talking to. Like children they will see how far they can push you. :)

[kendrafitz]

That is very exciting!

This is what my Rosie’s body language means - she is a GW Macaw.

Total head/neck fluff means happy.

Just top of head feathers (like a Mohawk) means stand back!

Eyes pinning can mean they are interested in what you are doing or they are thinking. But check other body language to be sure.

Blushing cheeks means happy/excited.

Full head fluff with squatting means bombs away! Poop

Foot up while looking at you means pick me up. But, if you are nervous it could end in a lunge. Macaws have a wicked sense of humor. Some think it’s funny to lure new people in, lunge and see the reaction and then laugh.

You should have a lot of fun with your grandmothers new addition. Can’t wait to read all about it!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rivx]

Thanks everyone! I believe Rachel got home yesterday! She will settle in for a while and I'll get some pictures up when I go to meet her. She's come a long way to get here -- her previous owner had to rent a hotel in order to transport her home -- so she's going to need some time of course!

[rivx]

An update on this: Rachel did not arrive home, as her vet check revealed she has PDD. She can't live around other birds unless they also have PDD...so the vet found a rescue for macaws with PDD where she will be able to live in a large aviary with other PDD macaws. Here she will live for the rest of her life, with her special needs catered to.

It's a happy ending for her, but not the one we expected.

[Dragonlady2]

What a letdown for your grandmother. The bright side is Rachel will have her needs met and that leaves a place at your grandmother's home available for another bird in need.:th_smile:

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Wow, that all happened quickly. I am glad it had a safe outcome and hope Rachel is accepted and liked by her new friends.

[rivx]

It seems everything is happening quickly to me -- but I'm a few steps behind when it comes to getting information! She wanted to use her space and give another needy bird a home, so she visited another rescue nearby once everything with Rachel was settled and what would you know...a five year old male cockatoo chose her. He was already proven healthy, so he arrived home today. She has no close neighbors, doesn't mind loud birds, stays at home most days, and has someone to pass him down to when she gets too old to care for him or passes away, so come to think of it...she really has a lovely environment for a 'too.


Pictures soon! She sent me a few taken when they met, and from the looks of it, he was glued to her and wasn't about to let her leave without him.

[Lady]

That's awesome! Can't wait to see the pics!!! :th_yah:

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

You certainly know when you have been CHOSEN :)

We weren't planning on having any pets when Casper chose Margaret, we had just bought a sailboat and were planning long holidays in Europe.
So we now have a boat that is used more as a weekend holiday home and rarely gets away from the dock except when the weather is suitable for a little sailing parrot.
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