Hi John, welcome to Parrots.
 I have a 13 year old Greenwing that came here a couple of months
 ago. As near as we can tell the bird has lived its life in a room by
 its self, made to be quiet and not play.
That's sad!
Chewing IS play to many birds.
I agree, especially with macaws. Even babies and younsters do this.
Moody bird,sometimes lets you get him out of the cage, other times he
moves to the edge of the pirch and backs away.
Again I think that is partly due to being a macaw and partly due to what
he's been through.
We now have a 17 week old blue and gold who is a sweet, adorable bird.
Congrats on the B&G! We raised 6 this year and kept 2 of them. We must
have holes in our head for this! But they are wonderful birds that do
seem to require a lot of attention. They are currently going through the
beak phase where they are independant and a little snippy. They are six
months and are with 4 4 month old Miligolds, so they have "flocked"
which is not the best for their behaviour.
friendly bird.
If you have to trade him for a more friendly bird keep me in mind.
We raise the Blue and Golds, Miligolds, have egglaying Greenwings (no
babies yet),Red Bellied Macaws, egglaying Severe macaws,Blue Front
Amazons and many varieties of conures. I am funny about my birds. I have
taken in lots of abused birds before. When they get here they do not
leave. They then have a home here. I try to pair them up because I think
this comes naturally but I don't try to force them to breed or anything.
I figure they've had enough bad times in their life, they might as well
spend the rest of it as happy as they can.I buy very good food, put them
in the largest cages I can and do what I can for them.We have 2 Avian
specialty certified vets here in town, one in the next town over and a
University with vet school in that same town. So care is available.
The major thing that I would require on a trade would be that the big
fellow be vet check to be in good health and to be Papilloma free (this
is important. If you need more info on this let me know.)
I would be willing to trade you a baby for him if it ever gets to that
point where you feel that you do need to trade him. I am willing to
ship. I generally use Us Air or Delta Dash flights.
Where are you located?
(fear of missing fingers, he WILL snap) bu KJ>>they can play
My Greenwing male Rufus will definitely snap too if he's in or near his
cage or is in sight of his mate. In the house he's a dollbaby.Kinda
like playing with a German Shepherd.
with the blue and gold. (who gets jealous if anyone plays wit
They definitely get jealous. Watch and see if you take one out of the
room if the other calls out.
KJ>You're rushing things a LOT. This bird was in a home for many years
KJ>alone and ignored, and now you want him to suddenly be a loving trusting
KJ>pet. It may take more years to UNDO what was done than it took
KJ>originally to make him that way. Be PATIENT. Love him for the beautiful
KJ>critter he is, adore him from afar and glom on the B&G baby when you
KJ>want to handle a bird. Don't MAKE the greenwing do anything until he is
KJ>ready, or you might make him become more aloof or even mean.
This is probably true also, as far as time is concerned. It might be a
long time and an involved process of working with him. I am not saying
this because I have made an offer on the bird but from my experience
with working problem birds. Sometimes with much love they come around
and sometimes they never come around to pet quality. Sometimes you have
to accept them for just what they are, a bird that may never be a
pet.
KJ>Again, be patient. It'll take lots of time, love and patience before
KJ>this bird will trust you. Birds are smart, and they remember things for
KJ>a LONG time. This bird has NO REASON to love, trust or respect you. You
This IS true. I have birds that will fall over ands scream like they are
dying at the sight of a leather glove or are frightened at the
sight of certain colors; also I have birds that are partial to
either men or women and are frightened or angry at someone of the
other sex.
Thanks,
Barbara and Ed Howell
Five Gates Exotics
P.O. Box 687
Green Cove Springs, Fl 32043
(904)284-7464
Ps: I can give you references.
KJ>
by ... only a hobby ... only a
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