Possible reinforcement for Cloud

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

At the last North Jersey Bird Club meeting we were told that a member would be moving and needed to downsize his flock (by half). They gave a few details of the birds that had to be rehomed. One is a 10 year old female B & G Macaw that prefers women over men. I've been thinking about the B & G for several weeks now and decided to get more information on the birds health, age, sex, diet, personality and habits. I emailed the club member that is helps find homes for birds. He spoke to the owner and said he knew who I was and am welcome to call him and come see the bird. I have not made a final decision, but am considering it. I have a five bedroom home and it's just me, Hunter and my little alien Cloud. I know special consideration of Clouds cockatoo powder has to be addressed when cohabitation with Macaws. Cloud has taken over the living room/dining room area (15 x 25 square feet). I thought of making an adjacent bedroom into a bird room for the Macaw. I have one Hunter air purifier, as recommended by Larry, and plan on getting another one. I also have two vacant bedrooms on the second floor, but I spend little time up there, except to sleep.

There is no urgency in rehoming these birds right now, but the owner wants to have the time to find good homes for his birds. One of the birds he is keeping is a Hyacinth Too. He buys 300 lbs of Macadamia nuts from Hawaii a few time a year mostly for the Hyacinth.

He will eventually be moving to Pa, but still plans on attending the bird club meetings in northern New Jersey every month.

Any advice will be appreciated. What kind of reaction can I expect from Cloud who has been an only child most of his life here on Earth? Are Macaws aliens also?

[bonnie]

LOL.... "Are Macaws aliens also"... You guys crack me up.
I'll be of no help here, but I am interested to see what others have to say. I want another bird, but am not sure how Chicken will react to getting another. Should be interesting to see what everyone else has to say...

[Dot]

Macawﻛ aяє thє woяﻛt kiиd oƒ aliєи.

My mama callﻛ thєm hєathєяиﻛ. Thєy aяє mєﻛﻛy. Thєy poop thєи walk iи it. Thєy aяє high maiиtєиaиcє, иot likє uﻛ ﻛwєєt Amazoиﻛ. Iи thє juиglє, thєiя call caи bє hєaяd ƒяom ƒivє milєﻛ away. I doи’t kиow how that compaяєﻛ to cockatooﻛ, but thє baby macaw ﻛaw a ﻛиakє oиcє aиd lєt go with thє macaw waяиiиg yєll. Thєяє aяє ghoﻛtﻛ all aяouиd hєяє that ﻛtill havєи’t ƒouиd thєiя way back to thєiя cєmєtєяiєﻛ.

Macawﻛ wєяє put oи thiﻛ єaяth to яєƒoяєﻛt thє Яaiи ƒoяєﻛt. Thєy takє oиє bitє oƒ ƒood aиd dяop thє яєﻛt. Thє bottomﻛ oƒ thє macawﻛ’ cagєﻛ aяє єxcєllєиt placєﻛ to ƒoяagє. ﻛomєtimєﻛ thєy juﻛt pick up thє ƒood aиd thяow it. Thєy havє иo яєﻛpєct ƒoя thєiя ƒood.

Wє Amazoиﻛ єat whєи thє mama єatﻛ. Wє play whєи thє mama playﻛ. Aиd wє ﻛlєєp whєи thє mama ﻛlєєpﻛ. Thє hєathєяиﻛ play a lot moяє thaи wє do aиd aяє a lot moяє dєﻛtяuctivє.

Othєя thaи all oƒ thє abovє, hєathєяиﻛ aяє ƒuи to havє aяouиd. Thєy laugh a lot aиd ﻛiиg too.

Good luck to you oи youя dєciﻛioи.

Єиd oƒ tяaиﻛmiﻛﻛioи

Tommiє

[birdie]

I don't know about the macaw side, that will be in the future... Cassie came from a one bird home into one that had 7 others. She did well, but she came into our home, I didn't add to hers. My experience in adding birds has been, put them at the end of the line {so to speak} keep your same routine and tack on another. Don't change what you do for Cloud, he was 1st and always should be. Greet Cloud 1st, feed 1st, etc... I just act like the new bird has always been here and nothing is different and have gotten along fine with that.

[Dot]

I don't know about the macaw side, that will be in the future... Cassie came from a one bird home into one that had 7 others. She did well, but she came into our home, I didn't add to hers. My experience in adding birds has been, put them at the end of the line {so to speak} keep your same routine and tack on another. Don't change what you do for Cloud, he was 1st and always should be. Greet Cloud 1st, feed 1st, etc... I just act like the new bird has always been here and nothing is different and have gotten along fine with that.

I do the exact same thing. And just think, Diane, if you add the Blue and Gold, you can start calling Cloud your first born! It is so much fun, especially when my priest is over here. :rolleyes:

[bphslp]

I have macaws and toos. It is my experience that the toos are the ones that do not like moves. My macaws never seem upset over moves. The macaws do get attached. I would worry more about the macaw entering your home than your too. I vaccum every day, and I mop every day. Each bird has their own space so I never let the macaws out when the toos are out. I have multiple air purifiers and I am happiest with the flair. I also have a homedic humidier and two fish aquariums to add humidity. The personality of a too is way different than a macaw. My toos are loving and cuddle bugs. The macaws are more regal and territorial. They can give you a kiss and then bite you because you are their territory. Some blue and gold's are allergic to too dust and can cause a fatal respiratory disease in the macaw. If you do bring another bird into your house, please quarantine for the sake of both birds. Jenell

[Dot]

I have macaws and toos. It is my experience that the toos are the ones that do not like moves. My macaws never seem upset over moves. The macaws do get attached. I would worry more about the macaw entering your home than your too. I vaccum every day, and I mop every day. Each bird has their own space so I never let the macaws out when the toos are out. I have multiple air purifiers and I am happiest with the flair. I also have a homedic humidier and two fish aquariums to add humidity. The personality of a too is way different than a macaw. My toos are loving and cuddle bugs. The macaws are more regal and territorial. They can give you a kiss and then bite you because you are their territory. Some blue and gold's are allergic to too dust and can cause a fatal respiratory disease in the macaw. If you do bring another bird into your house, please quarantine for the sake of both birds. Jenell

Jenell, haven't you always said that your macaws seem to have more dander than the tooz?

[FoxersArtist]

Jenell, haven't you always said that your macaws seem to have more dander than the tooz?

My macaw seems to produce more dander than the toos but we're talking about the difference between cane sugar in the raw and powdered sugar. Macaws produce dander that is much larger and you can actually see it in little clusters when you sweep. It doesn't look like feathers per say, but you can certainly see it! Too dander is microscopic compared to macaw dander and I think it is for this reason (and the fact that macaws have large nostrils) that makes them allergic to Too dander.

In our household, as long as the toos are soaked every few days and misted frequently it keeps the dander low key. We won't put Peggy Sue out in the aviary for any extended period of time when we have a large number of Toos, like we do now. I would be willing to bet though that macaws who have suffered this disease due to dander either lived with a lot of toos in a closed space with little fresh air circulation, no air purifier or a weak one, and/or lived with a too that was not bathed regularly. Don't take my word for it, but I'm sure these things count for something.
-Anna

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Well, I met the fella that is looking to rehome the B&G and got a little more information on her. A friend of his wanted to get a bird because she enchanted with all his birds. She ended buying a hatchling and was told it was most likely a male because of its large size compared to other babies hatched the same time. She didn’t want to go into this venture alone, and talked a friend into getting a bird. The friend got a Greenwing. Well, after the honeymoon period was over, they gave both birds to the fella that has had them both for 8 years. He had Brutus DNA sexed and as a result, Brutus is now Blossom. He keeps all his birds in the living room. Blossom and the greenwing are kept in a large cage with a divider. Other birds in his flock are a breeding pair of Congo African Greys, a hyacinth, three young parakeets and three babies and I forget the others. Blossom eats some seeds, pellets and lots of fresh veggies and fruit. He doesn’t quarantine his new birds (‘cause he knows the breeder or people he’s gotten them from have healthy birds . . . yikes). He does spritz his birds occasionally, but usually doesn’t bathe them, because they make such a mess. (Yikes, again.)

I agreed to take Cloud without any prior knowledge on keeping exotics. What do they say, “Ignorance is bliss”. In the past year and a half, I’ve learned so much about these little creatures. I was lucky with Cloud, because he had no issues, was healthy, and was used to being handled.
Knowing what I know now about keeping, or being kept by birds, makes me a little paranoid about adding another bird to my flock of one.

The owner would like both the B&G and the Greenwing to go to the same household since they’ve always been together, but he is willing to separate them. If I just take Blossom, will this stress the two birds out without the other around any longer? I’m torn, I think two new birds is too big a step for me.

I’d like to know if anyone has any advice on separating birds that have been together all their lives. What can I expect that this would do to the birds. I’m already feeling guilty about this and am wondering if, since Blossom comes with (her) cage, that it’s just a matter of convenience for the present owner, since they’re housed in the same cage. I plan on visiting Blossom before I make a final decision, but if I get there and the two are cuddling with each other, I’d probably come home with two new birds.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m already having nightmares about one or both of the birds dying of broken hearts. :sad::sad:

[Chrissy and Flock]

I wish I could give you words of wisdom to help you make the decission, but I like you would come home with both of them. As you know the wise ones will be here soon to help you I just wanted you to know you are not the only one. LOL

[EasySpirit]

Well, I met the fella that is looking to rehome the B&G and got a little more information on her. A friend of his wanted to get a bird because she enchanted with all his birds. She ended buying a hatchling and was told it was most likely a male because of its large size compared to other babies hatched the same time. She didn’t want to go into this venture alone, and talked a friend into getting a bird. The friend got a Greenwing. Well, after the honeymoon period was over, they gave both birds to the fella that has had them both for 8 years. He had Brutus DNA sexed and as a result, Brutus is now Blossom. He keeps all his birds in the living room. Blossom and the greenwing are kept in a large cage with a divider. Other birds in his flock are a breeding pair of Congo African Greys, a hyacinth, three young parakeets and three babies and I forget the others. Blossom eats some seeds, pellets and lots of fresh veggies and fruit. He doesn’t quarantine his new birds (‘cause he knows the breeder or people he’s gotten them from have healthy birds . . . yikes). He does spritz his birds occasionally, but usually doesn’t bathe them, because they make such a mess. (Yikes, again.)

I agreed to take Cloud without any prior knowledge on keeping exotics. What do they say, “Ignorance is bliss”. In the past year and a half, I’ve learned so much about these little creatures. I was lucky with Cloud, because he had no issues, was healthy, and was used to being handled.
Knowing what I know now about keeping, or being kept by birds, makes me a little paranoid about adding another bird to my flock of one.

The owner would like both the B&G and the Greenwing to go to the same household since they’ve always been together, but he is willing to separate them. If I just take Blossom, will this stress the two birds out without the other around any longer? I’m torn, I think two new birds is too big a step for me.

I’d like to know if anyone has any advice on separating birds that have been together all their lives. What can I expect that this would do to the birds. I’m already feeling guilty about this and am wondering if, since Blossom comes with (her) cage, that it’s just a matter of convenience for the present owner, since they’re housed in the same cage. I plan on visiting Blossom before I make a final decision, but if I get there and the two are cuddling with each other, I’d probably come home with two new birds.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m already having nightmares about one or both of the birds dying of broken hearts. :sad::sad:


It does depend on the birds. I have done it 2 times. The first because I didn't know better and the store said it would be fine. I had a CAG and severe macaw together. The caging together stopped when they were about 8...now that they were older and more mature the CAG did not want the sever there any longer.

Next one was my Queen of Bavaria with a yellow collard macaw. They were in the same cage at the pet store. Since the YCM was so shy and didn't react well to people at the store (they were very nice to him) I took both. Buddy enjoyed being with me. After two years buddy took up with Irish, millitary macaw, and chose to defend her. I was talking with someone at work wanting a mini macaw. He has bred smaller birds, is wonderful so took the opportunity and buddy is with him. He could not be happier.

So yes, the birds may feel loss but new relationships can develop also. RElationships between two birds can also change as they mature.

[EasySpirit]

It does depend on the birds. I have done it 2 times. The first because I didn't know better and the store said it would be fine. I had a CAG and severe macaw together. The caging together stopped when they were about 8...now that they were older and more mature the CAG did not want the sever there any longer.

Next one was my Queen of Bavaria with a yellow collard macaw. They were in the same cage at the pet store. Since the YCM was so shy and didn't react well to people at the store (they were very nice to him) I took both. Buddy enjoyed being with me. After two years buddy took up with Irish, millitary macaw, and chose to defend her. I was talking with someone at work wanting a mini macaw. He has bred smaller birds, is wonderful so took the opportunity and buddy is with him. He could not be happier.

So yes, the birds may feel loss but new relationships can develop also. RElationships between two birds can also change as they mature.


Sorry, I forgot to add. My blue crown conure is a rehome and had been caged with a pionous. The bcc greatly over preened the pionus. At the time I only wanted one bird. Maybe has done wonderful and took up being pals with one of the other birds. The pionus went to a home as an only bird. Feathers in great condition and she is the joy to the owners.

[Evelyn]

Dot -

You could be a stand-up comic. I choked on the Coke I was drinking and had in coming out of my nose. It wasn't a pretty sight.

That is so funny!

I think that should be in the book along with a photo of Tommie.

Evelyn

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

I don't know about the macaw side, that will be in the future... Cassie came from a one bird home into one that had 7 others. She did well, but she came into our home, I didn't add to hers. My experience in adding birds has been, put them at the end of the line {so to speak} keep your same routine and tack on another. Don't change what you do for Cloud, he was 1st and always should be. Greet Cloud 1st, feed 1st, etc... I just act like the new bird has always been here and nothing is different and have gotten along fine with that.

Brenda

That is exactly what I have done here as I have added more birds to the flock. I tack the new one on to the end as you said. Keeps jealous little 'mommy's boy' toos from going off the deep end.
.

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

I worry less about Clouds reaction as he loves company and is curious about wild birds he watches outside. What could I expect if these two Macaws are separated after being together all their lives? Do they grieve?

[Dot]

Are Macaws aliens also?

Macaw are heatherns! It is also possible that they are alien heatherns. My Scarlet took a healthy DNA sample today. Bad enough that I will have to go see my doctor tomorrow. She grabbed my face and chewed. B:witch: has been watching the Amazons. They are noted for that.

I will right Jenell and ask her to respond to this post. She has tooz and heatherns. Her heatherns are named Razzle and Dazzle. Are those not the cutest names!

BTW, what is a Hyacinth Too?

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

The blue bird in flight in the HB banner. Hyacinthe's are Macaws.

[bphslp]

It has been my experience that the macaws dander is just as bad as the too powder in a matter of speaking. I think some birds and some people can react to the powder and I have known some to have an allergic reaction to the macaw dander. The blue and golds particularly can react to the powder of toos. No one can tell a person if this is going to happen. I bath my toos and macaws regularly, have air purifiers, mop regularly and wipe down cages. I also open windows or doors when weather appropriate. I think fresh air ventilation is the best solution.

Jenell

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Thanks for the input. I plan on keeping Cloud (G2) and the B&G in separate rooms, each with their own air purifier.