Sherry S. writes:
HELP! I have a Greenwing Macaw who is almost 30 years old. He has been with me since he was 2 years old. I have been told Greenwings regurgitate more than other breeds.
It seems he is especially bad this year and it’s been going on for months.
Sherry L. comments:
Yes, my birds are fed ‘chop’ (Arlo the grey, calls it ‘bobbity’) This is a new term for what I have done for 28+ years.
Chop is chopped veg, grains, and sometimes, a tiny bit of seed sprinkled on top or a bit of walnut, or something.
I used to cut the vegetables larger because Arlo was pretty accepting of lots of things, and I didn’t have a food processor.
I also (now) feed Arlo a pelleted diet, along with the chop.
She also gets a small amount of fruit, and sometimes about an inch square of chicken breast (baked) or some steamed scallop (yum).
Barb H. asks:
I’d appreciate advice on integrating parrots into a 36′ X 10 communal aviary for 8 amazons & 2 macaws.
These birds have all lived together in the same room divided by partitions. Although separated, they can see each other and communicate.
Since they’re familiar with each other, I’m hoping for a painless transition.
(above) 2 Illiger’s macaws aka blue-winged macaws named in honor of the German ornithologist Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger.
Peter D. writes:
Hi, Need help.
I have a 5-year-old female Illiger Macaw. Recently she has picked up an annoying ongoing chirp when she is out of her cage and on her perch.
It’s like she is so nervous she is afraid of her own shadow.
Why is it so important to understand the differences between bird species?
I’m not ashamed to say we get more deliveries from Amazon (like most Americans) then we care to talk about.
This week a new Amazon driver “Patrick” handed off an envelope then said “I’ve never been here before – this place looks cool.”
I just got off the phone with Andrea, a very good customer of ours.
Andrea was fortunate enough to get a lung transplant at the age of 70.
I’m sure her primary surgeon told her many things that stand out to me are, “We’ve probably added about six years to your life” and “You have to get rid of your macaw.”
This might be an interesting topic for a Birdie Brunch!
Hello, I’m Laurie Cannon, who wrote to you about the possibility of adopting an older Green-Winged Macaw.
We didn’t do that, however, we did contact a breeder about a Panama Amazon baby.
She seemed almost horrified when she found out both my husband and I are totally blind.
My severe macaw is losing all its feathers.
The vet says I should switch her to 80% pellet food.
However, I am not convinced. I don’t think they eat pellets in the wild.
I am trying adding HARI Prime vitamin, mineral, and amino acid supplement w/probiotics to her diet.
Do you think this is an acceptable alternative?
Donna B writes on 9/9/2018
I have a 6-1/2 year old Jubilee Macaw (named Bijou) who seems to be having a very difficult molt.
I am concerned his constant picking might turn in to plucking.
Bijou has begun constantly picking on himself and pulls out not only larger feathers but also small to mid size feathers and gray fluff.
As of now, however, I don’t see any skin abrasions or blood.
Remember the letters E-B-F. All your birds emotions are built upon 3 activities.
Eating – Breeding – Fleeing