by Pajarita » Wed Jan 11, 2017 11:13 am
You need to stop feeding them bad things or free-feeding seeds. I know it seems like they won't eat anything else but I assure you they will. All my birds came to me as adults and the greatest majority had bad diets and they are all eating a very healthy one now. I have transitioned over 400 parrots to a better diet (I used to run a bird rescue) and, although it takes time, planning and a bit of work, it's perfectly doable.
You need to start by replacing the bowls of seed with bowls of whole grains cooked al dente. Use grains like kamut, wheat, hulled barley, oat groats, teff, red and/or black rice, etc. All these things are now found in regular supermarkets but, if yours doesn't carry them, get them online. Cook them with plenty of water (you can always drain them later) so they are still hard inside but soft in the outside (about 30 minutes will do it). Put some in their bowl and add just a little bit of seeds which you will mix in with the grains (this is so they learn that the grains are food, just like the seeds are). It will take a couple of days but they will stop just picking the seeds out and start eating the grains (you will see white empty 'skins') - when they have been eating this without a problem for a few days, start adding corn to it (they all LOVE corn!), once they are eating it, add peas and carrots, wait until they are eating them - then add chopped broccoli (it needs to be chopped small or they will just pick up the piece and throw it out). Every day, offer them one fruit, one veggie and one leafy green (a different one so one day it would be apples and red peppers - another oranges and cucumbers - another grapes and green beans, like that). The leafy green will be the last thing they will start eating (it will take a looooooong time for it) but you can make it so they think it's something for them to shred by bunching up a few leaves and sticking them between the bars of the cage - and always make sure you (or your dad) stands in front of the cage (head at same level as parrot's) and eats the same fruit it's there - you can also offer a bite of your own piece but make sure you are offering the other side that has your bite on it because you don't want human mouth bacteria going into them.
Both amazons and macaws are great eaters of produce, especially fruits, so if you put a bit of work into it, you should be able to switch them without a whole lot of grief.
But, my dear, PLEASE take those birds to the vet because, with the diet they've been getting and at their age, they have to have health issues (fatty liver, high uric acid, high cholesterol, etc).