New Featherhead

JustBitten · 01-26-13, 01:48 PM

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

Terranaut · 01-26-13, 01:51 PM

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 · 01-26-13, 01:51 PM

Beautiful, i wants one

BarelyBreathing · 01-26-13, 02:43 PM

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 · 01-26-13, 02:47 PM

Congratulations she's beautiful!!

TeaNinja · 01-26-13, 03:05 PM

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

Corey209 · 01-26-13, 03:51 PM

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

JustBitten · 01-26-13, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 01-26-13, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeaNinja

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 · 01-26-13, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey209

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 · 01-26-13, 05:32 PM

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 · 01-26-13, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Zoo Nanny · 01-26-13, 05:50 PM

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 · 01-26-13, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 01-26-13, 05:55 PM

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