A Story About When Age is the Reason You Need to Rehome Your Macaws

A Story About When Age is the Reason You Need to Rehome Your Macaws

Last Updated on by Mitch Rezman

I’ve written extensively about this and think about the age thing as well.

Full transparence we have 10 birds of our own and a targeted home for them when we pass.

A few months ago I got an email from a woman named Kate in Texas that read,

“Hi Mitch
 
I am a Senior lady of 75 years.  I have two Macaws, and I am finding I can no longer care for my dear companions. 
 
I need help, I don’t know how to go about finding a new “forever” home for my babies.
 
What can you tell me about finding a good home for them?
 
Thanks
 
Kate” 
Editors note: These people are real but our goal is to maintain anonymity for all 
I’ll do my best Kate.
 
What are the species, sex, and age of each and what is your zip code?
 
Best
 
MitchR
 
I received this excellent answer shortly thereafter,
 
The elder is Bravo, a Blue and Gold who is 27. 
 
He is sweet tempered and once he gets to know someone he loves to go out on your shoulder.  He speaks a little bit, mostly peek a boo, and argh (like what does the pirate say). 
 
Bravo has a malocclusion in his lower mandible, but it can be kept in good condition with regular visits to the vet,
 
The younger is Ghandi, and is a 23 year old Maui Sunrise. 
Ghandi has a few problems, he is a biter, and he plucks. 
 
He was mistreated by his first owner.  I rescued him and have been working with him for about 15 years.  He dotes on his human, and has been known to destroy bath towels attempting to make nests for us.
He has no idea that I am not a Macaw nor is he a human.
 

Shanya’s Amazon

He speaks when in the mood, again Peek A Boo and Argh.
 
Both birds were sexed when rescued, and have been relatively healthy. 
 
Thank you for any help you can offer. 
 
I have been looking for over 2 years, however, I’m a bit picky and so far have not found anyone I would trust to care for my boys.
 
Kate.
 
Fast forward to a woman from the area, Shayna was seeking a tree for a large bird, a blue and gold macaw.
 
We got the tree and base worked out, then before she departed I mentioned Kate’s email as Shanya seemed like she had an unusual capacity for happily absorbing large birds. 
 
I received the following email the next day
 
Hello,
This is Shanya

I bought the manzanita tree from you

We would definitely be interested in giving the macaws a home.

If you could give the lady my number it would be greatly appreciated.

I have a business Busy Flockers which makes huge toys for parrots.

He works for ComEd, we have an AVIAN veterinarian in Glenwood and an ER veterinarian in Chicago.

We are very experienced with parrots and training and also working with bad behaviors.

I am home almost always except when I run errands.
I know all about proper diet, also worked with disabled birds.
Please let her know if she wants to rehome to contact me … thank you again and love the tree!

Thank you
Shanya
 
The next email:
 

Good Afternoon,

I so wanted to thank you for getting Kate to contact me.

She is driving the Macaws from Texas to here next week. She will be here Tuesday afternoon/early evening.

We talked on the phone and e-mail.

She is excited she found a perfect home but sad at the same time.

Just wanted to keep you in the loop! She’s an amazing person and her love for them is huge!

Thank you again
Sincerely,
Shanya

New macaws Bravo and Ghandi on the Windy City Parrot manzanita tree at Shanya’s

Written by Mitch Rezman
Approved by Catherine Tobsing

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Mitch Rezman

This Post Has One Comment

  1. That is so great that she found a lovely new home for her macaws. It’s such a big worry when you have longer-lived companion animals like parrots. Mine are in my will and will go to a well-respected parrot rescue unless my daughter can find a great match for them if I were to pass sooner rather than later. In the meantime, I’m in my 50s and have to think about my health and how long I can provide a home for my three birds (the Amazon is only 13 years old! He was a rescue).

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