New Featherhead

[JustBitten]

Through a roundabout series of events, I was asked by a local rescue if I would be interested in adopting a female blue & gold macaw. My husband was immediately on-board, and we agreed to bring her home! Lady Flame or just Flame is a 20 year old hen (expected lifespan of about 80) and truly a wonderful girl, we couldn't be happier. We've missed having a bigger bird since my Alexandrine died last fall and even though she is significantly larger, she actually seems easier to care for.

She has been with us for a few days now, and is starting to get comfortable. Flame is so well behaved that she's actually cage free and spends her days on her playstand in her room or roaming the house when we're home. Best thing possible, IMHO.

Check out this beautiful girl! I still have to pinch myself whenever I look at her :bouncy:

[Terranaut]

Oh wow. Lucky you!! No issues with her getting used to you? I have heard it can take months for them to become "ok" with new owners.
Congrats. Beautiful bird.

[Lankyrob]

Beautiful, i wants one ;)

[BarelyBreathing]

Very pretty. I had a rescue blue and gold when I was younger. That bird was a monter. He was still cool as heck, though.

[Zoo Nanny]

Congratulations she's beautiful!!

[TeaNinja]

my brother used to have a blue and gold. they can be really cool, and screech really loud :P

[Corey209]

I thought their life span was 30-50 not 80?

[JustBitten]

Oh wow. Lucky you!! No issues with her getting used to you? I have heard it can take months for them to become "ok" with new owners.
Congrats. Beautiful bird.

She lived with the same couple since she was 13 weeks old, so this is a pretty huge change but it's been really great, actually. We're taking it slow with her and letting her choose to be close to us. She'll accept head stroking and treats from our hands with no fuss and that's miles ahead of where my other birds were at this point.

Thanks! :)

[JustBitten]

my brother used to have a blue and gold. they can be really cool, and screech really loud :P

I was expecting her to be loud, but actually she's one of my quieter birds. Sometimes she'll use her "outside voice" when she's talking, but other than that, no screaming.

[JustBitten]

I thought their life span was 30-50 not 80?

From what I understand it varies dramatically based on care. Incorrect husbandry kills as many birds as reptiles. I know a few macaws in their late 60s, if that helps...

[Zoo Nanny]

There was a recent study done showing the drastic decrease in expected life span for pet birds as compared to wild. You're right it's all based on husbandry, especially diet and toxin related early deaths. People kill their birds with kindness by feeding foods high in fat and all seed diets leading to fatty liver disease. Also a lack in research on common household toxins to birds.

[Corey209]

There was a recent study done showing the drastic decrease in expected life span for pet birds as compared to wild. You're right it's all based on husbandry, especially diet and toxin related early deaths. People kill their birds with kindness by feeding foods high in fat and all seed diets leading to fatty liver disease. Also a lack in research on common household toxins to birds.

At the local zoo they have a large aviary and they feed all their birds some natural fruit mix as well as seeds. Would this be a good diet for a bird? We had all kinds of birds when I was little but never fed anything other than seeds so I wouldn't know. :p

[Zoo Nanny]

It all depends on the species of birds and what their diet consist of. Some birds like finches eat a diet higher in seed than some of the large parrots which need a diet with very little seed. My cockatoo eats pellets, vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, small amount of seeds and some human foods as well. Her diet has been approved by her avian vet and is higher in calories than some other birds because she's so active. Some nuts and certain seeds are terrible for birds because of the fat content. Not so long ago parakeets were fed a seed diet along with grit. Veterinary science has since learned that parrots do not need grit and that parakeets do not live long lives when fed just seeds. In the wild they eat a combination of foods available at certain times of the year like grasses, grains, fruits and the like.

[Corey209]

It all depends on the species of birds and what their diet consist of. Some birds like finches eat a diet higher in seed than some of the large parrots which need a diet with very little seed. My cockatoo eats pellets, vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, small amount of seeds and some human foods as well. Her diet has been approved by her avian vet and is higher in calories than some other birds because she's so active. Some nuts and certain seeds are terrible for birds because of the fat content. Not so long ago parakeets were fed a seed diet along with grit. Veterinary science has since learned that parrots do not need grit and that parakeets do not live long lives when fed just seeds. In the wild they eat a combination of foods available at certain times of the year like grasses, grains, fruits and the like.

That's interesting, I've always considered a bird but I already have a dog who likes to chew on my stuff...



I remember as a little kid my brother tricked me into eating bird seeds, he told me all the older kids do it..

[Zoo Nanny]

JustBitten do you by chance know Anna Lawrence or Megan Lewis? They are both out by you and both active in bird rescue.

[TeaNinja]

my brothers' bird was sneaky lol. his name was bird bird and he knew abunch of tricks, like when he'd say step up and reach his foot out, he wanted to climb up on you. but sometimes he'd say step up! and you'd reach your hand out and he'd grab your hand with his bird foot and jokingly bite your hand lol xD we used to watch movies and he would SCREAM like crazy for no reason so i'd put a blanket on his cage or put him in another part of the house or something xD half the time i loved him and half the time he was prett annoying :P birds can be messy too.

[dinosaurdammit]

From what I understand it varies dramatically based on care. Incorrect husbandry kills as many birds as reptiles. I know a few macaws in their late 60s, if that helps...

When I went to destin flordia once we saw a woman with a bird that was 85 years old. It was her mothers bird and she died and now this woman had it- this woman was in her 60s or 70s :shocked:

[JustBitten]

JustBitten do you by chance know Anna Lawrence or Megan Lewis? They are both out by you and both active in bird rescue.

I don't know either personally, but I think Anna Lawrence is in Alberta, right? Megan Lewis is much closer on Vancouver Island? Flame came to me through FEATHERS on Van. Isle.

[JustBitten]

When I went to destin flordia once we saw a woman with a bird that was 85 years old. It was her mothers bird and she died and now this woman had it- this woman was in her 60s or 70s :shocked:

That's the way it works if you do it right. ;)

[JustBitten]

It all depends on the species of birds and what their diet consist of. Some birds like finches eat a diet higher in seed than some of the large parrots which need a diet with very little seed. My cockatoo eats pellets, vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, small amount of seeds and some human foods as well. Her diet has been approved by her avian vet and is higher in calories than some other birds because she's so active. Some nuts and certain seeds are terrible for birds because of the fat content. Not so long ago parakeets were fed a seed diet along with grit. Veterinary science has since learned that parrots do not need grit and that parakeets do not live long lives when fed just seeds. In the wild they eat a combination of foods available at certain times of the year like grasses, grains, fruits and the like.

Exactly. Flame gets a fair bit of nuts in her selection of things because it is a large part of a macaw's wild diet and her previous owners were a bit deficient in this area so we have some making up to do here. She gets everything you've stated on a daily basis. Taking proper care of a parrot makes reptile care look like a walk in the park :D

People started out feeding parrots the same as they do their chickens. :eek: And pet store level advice for birds is as universally incorrect as for reptiles. If you want a bird, find a good bird forum first! ;)

[Zoo Nanny]

Both wonderful ladies. Canada has a few wonderful rescues. You also have Liisa Befrene on the other coast. She is by far the BEST bird toy maker around! I've bought toys for Cassie from her. Actually am buying her birthday present from her. This is her site and she will custom make the toys for your bird. Sweet Beaks Bird Toys. I'm sure you have seen a picture of her bird Simon on Facebook it's made the rounds and been stolen over and over. Simon is a cockatoo wearing a pair of glasses sitting in an office chair. This is Cassie with her last years Christmas present from Liisa. She still has it a year later and loves it.
Home - (http://www.sweetbeaksbirdtoys.webs.com/)

[Hillsberry]

Absolutely stunning macaw! The l blues are just beautiful. Picture perfect!

[JustBitten]

Both wonderful ladies. Canada has a few wonderful rescues. You also have Liisa Befrene on the other coast. She is by far the BEST bird toy maker around! I've bought toys for Cassie from her. Actually am buying her birthday present from her. This is her site and she will custom make the toys for your bird. Sweet Beaks Bird Toys. I'm sure you have seen a picture of her bird Simon on Facebook it's made the rounds and been stolen over and over. Simon is a cockatoo wearing a pair of glasses sitting in an office chair. This is Cassie with her last years Christmas present from Liisa. She still has it a year later and loves it.
Home - (http://www.sweetbeaksbirdtoys.webs.com/)

Ahhhhhh!!! You have a BE2:yes: I love them. If I could pick a too for myself it would be one of them. Sadly my allergies nix that idea.

Thanks for the link! That's a great toy. You should check out Avian Stainless - Parrot Toys with Attitude (http://www.avianstainless.com) They just opened on Vancouver Island and produce awesome stuff. I'm researching toy and play stand parts. I just cut down one of our apple trees to be a play stand for Flame. :rolleyes: What we don't do for our fids, hey?

[Zoo Nanny]

Toos are tough with the dust. I'm lucky thank God and not allergic. Her dust isn't too bad if she showers enough.
They've got some really cute toys at Avian Stainless and excellent prices.
Natural playstands are awesome, they last forever! I made one out of lilac 8 years ago and it's still going strong. I used an umbrella base filled with sand to hold it.
Someone in your house is going to be very spoiled!!

[hylia]

Flame is beautiful! Congrats on your adoption and looking forward to hearing more about your beautiful girl as she settles into your home. My best bud is a Green Wing Macaw, we adopted her years ago, she really changed our lives.

[JustBitten]

Flame is beautiful! Congrats on your adoption and looking forward to hearing more about your beautiful girl as she settles into your home. My best bud is a Green Wing Macaw, we adopted her years ago, she really changed our lives.

The big macaws really are larger than life, aren't they?! I love my geckos and royal, but of course they couldn't care less about me. But a big smart bird like a mac? They're not like dogs so there are no guarantees, but if they decide to like you there really is nothing you can compare that relationship with. :yes: What's your GWs name?