I remember when I first set out to find a good parrot for me. That was about two months before joining this forum, so I was still quite naive. I was looking at this macaw someone was selling on KSL. Even with my lack of knowledge at the time, I knew something wasn't right. It's (I can't remember the name) cage was way too small. Probably suited for an Amazon or Aratinga conure and had a single decimated toy in it. He looked lonely and sad. Anyway, when we came in, he immediately lit up with excitement. He was taken out of the cage, and he started to show off his wings. I noticed a couple things. His plumage looked sickly, and had an overgrown upper mandible. When asked about this, the lady replied saying it had to be trimmed every month. Her avian vet had told her it was caused by liver disease. Probably from an all seed diet, I concluded.
We started lavishing attention, and the macaw had no defensive behavior at all. It didn't seem because he was well trained, it seemed this was the only attention he'd got in a while and wanted it to continue as long as possible. Once we left, we heard screaming coming from the house. He didn't want the attention to go. We decided this bird wasn't for us, and urged the woman to take it to a shelter. She didn't heed, but the ad disappeared about five months later. I hope he found a better home.






