Hello

[Toy]

Well, he used to have a swing, but he tore that apart without ever sitting on it! I eat a lot of sweet potatoes myself, so I often prepare some without salt or spices for him. He does eat them sometimes but prefers them raw, although I’ve read somewhere that they can’t digest them properly. I’ll try eating more veggies with him and encourage it!

But something that I find hard to understand is whether he should have food in his cage at all times or not. Should I set up a schedule for him to get meals at certain times?

I suggest you find him a durable swing, not made from rope. Bird safe metal chain & hard wood, designed for a macaw.

Him being afraid of sounds is most likely he's not really heard them before or know where they come from. Show him what the sounds come from.

The tight grip is because he's nervous & may be afraid of falling. Eventually he may ease up on the tight grip. When he does this gently lift the toe that is digging in & tell him not so tight or ease up, etc. always use the same command words so he doesn't get confused. Walk slower & move your hand/arm slower, so he feels more stable.

Feeding times should be twice a day if possible & around the same time every day. Morning & late afternoon/early evening. We try to feed wet foods in the morning (only give enough for him to eat in an hour or two, as veggies/fruits will grow bacteria soon after), & dry foods (seed mix, pellets, etc) in the evening. He should have some dry foods/pellets in his cage at all times. Fresh water every day.

If he is 6 going on 7 it may be hormones kicking in or he hears a noise outside or hears something he can't see. Keep in mind all birds sound off at some point daily. All 3 of my parrots (B&G Macaw, African Grey, Umbrella Cockatoo) generally sound off around 2:30PM. We feed around 3-3:30PM. Where is he when he screams?

 

[HugotheMac]

As I mentioned in another reply, he’s generally very quiet during the day and only screams in the afternoon if he feels neglected, which rarely happens since he usually has plenty of attention. However, it was a sudden, out-of-character scream that confused me. Today, he’s been a sweetheart, not acting up at all.

Regarding his food, I’ll need to find a suitable solution, especially on mornings when I have lessons and can’t leave veggies out for too long. I’ll also look into getting a swing for him; it’s delightful watching him play. I recently built him a playstand with lots of ropes and ladders, and he spends a great deal of time climbing and playing on it.

Unfortunately, he seems to be scared of certain noises, even when he can see where they’re coming from. He hates paper and other thing like that. His cage, which is about 5 square meters, used to have paper on the bottom, but I had to replace it with a softer fabric, expensive, because he became afraid during cleanings. This fear extends to other rattling noises, which is a pity because I’ve seen birds on YouTube enjoy shredding paper. It’s a cheap toy that could keep him entertained.

Overall, I’d like him to be less fearful so we can practice harness training for future walks outside. Ultimately, I hope he can enjoy free flight and accompany me on vacations in the future.

 

[Shezbug]

I leave dry food available for my birds all day and night, fresh wet meals are offered 2-3 times a day as I find my guy prefers fresh foods and larger meals later in the day. You’ll find what works for you and your bird.

 

[Macawnutz]

I will always say.. when something happens that is new a vet check is always the first thing to check.

IF it's behavioral, and that's only after a vet check... if he screams at 5pm you need to distract him at 4:30pm. STOP the habit before it becomes a routine no matter what the cause.

 

[Sarah13]

Thank you very much! Living in an apartment, I’m fortunate to have understanding neighbors, so Hugo’s occasional screaming isn’t a big issue. Overall, he’s quite quiet, but it’s heartbreaking to see him feeling sad or frustrated. (Ofc it can be annoying as well) but I always feel like I should do something differently to help him. One thing I’ve noticed is that he always seems scared. He follows me everywhere, but I can feel his grip tighten when he’s uncomfortable with something. Any suggestions on how to make him more comfortable? He’s always hated rattling sounds like paper and plastic bags, so I’ve tried to minimize those around him.

Flight training does wonders for them physically but also psychologically.
The bond and trust you develop is incredible and elevates any given relationship you currently have/ may wish to strengthen.

You do not have to do outdoor flight either, indoor isn't ideal but is so much better than nothing.
Birds just blossom in a multitude of ways when they gain the confidence to fly and do so in a controlled manner/as a way of interaction with their human.

 

[HugotheMac]

Flight training does wonders for them physically but also psychologically.
The bond and trust you develop is incredible and elevates any given relationship you currently have/ may wish to strengthen.

You do not have to do outdoor flight either, indoor isn't ideal but is so much better than nothing.
Birds just blossom in a multitude of ways when they gain the confidence to fly and do so in a controlled manner/as a way of interaction with their human.

I’ve been attempting flight training with him, but he doesn’t seem too keen on it and can become overwhelmed after a few attempts. While he does fly, I believe I need to take it slow for now. The idea of him flying outside is enticing, but I realize there’s a long road ahead before that can become a reality.

 

[expressmailtome]

Welcome and enjoy the site!