Help Understanding Hahn Macaw

[birdfeathers]

Hello to all and we are new to this forum. We recently lost our mustache parakeet of 11 years in a fire at a vet clinic where we boarded him while we we on vacation.

We went to a bird fair this past weekend and purchased a 8 mos old Hahn Macaw DNA sexed male from a breeder. We purchased a new cage, toys etc. for our new baby Max. Max seems to be very quiet and pathetic, he stands on one leg most of the time, even when eating so he really dosen't pick up his food with one hand/foot and balance with the other. We try to give him fruit but he's not very convinced about eating it although he does eat his seed mix. Also he just dosen't seem to understand how to get on our finger so we so we can pick him up. Max just seems to be in his own little world. He seemed to smell a little so today I gave him a bath under the kitchen sink faucet, he bit me once but other than that he just squirmed a bit, I dried him off with a towel and I expected him to start doing his part right away but it took forever. We've had Max now for 4 days, are we expecting too much this early? Do you think he'll come around and be one happy active bird?

Our Mustache Parakeet was quit different from the get go and we had him since he was 3 months old, he was just a little hell raiser from the beginning. HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!, will our macaw snap out of it?
Thanks, Paul

[dorp]

What's the problem exactly? You're frustrated w/ this bird standing on one leg or something?

[birdfeathers]

I realize that's how they sleep and rest and the other bird we had did the same but when it came time to eat he picked his food up with one claw while standing on the other and ate away. Let's not get testy or try to be funny, we are concerned about the birds actions or lack of. If our macaw is acting as a normal macaw then that's fine but if not then we would like some answers from qualified posters on this forum.

[diotima]

Standing on one leg most of the time could mean a lot of different things. First of all, a bird is on it's feet all the time, they don't get to sit like we do, so they get tired and give one of their feet a break by lifting it up. So don't be too worried about that. If all you are feeding him is seed mix, I would highly suggest you ween him on to pellets. Seed mix will not provide the nutrients he needs to be a healthy bird.

Don't worry about him being a little slow. You must take into consideration that Mustache parakeets have very different personalities from hahn macaws. Hahn macaws require more training, more time spent with them and all of the requirements that larger macaws need (even though he is smaller). These birds are more like people than the parakeet you owned previously. They take longer to develop and longer to trust.

Mustache parakeets are known for being very outgoing, while macaws must be socialized. So between proper care and knowing the personalities differences, there's nothing wrong with him. He will eventually hold his own food. One of my birds currently doesn't eat fruit from me but if I put it in his bowl he will, or if he sees me eating it. That just goes a long with trusting me, which takes varied amounts of time depending on the bird.

If he looks like he's in his own world, that's fine too. He was probably just use to having a lot of alone time so he just zones out.

Also, make sure to take him for his first check up at the vet soon!

[pennyandrocky]

hi, first don't take dorps posts seriously he's butthurt that he has to compete with his girlfriends parrots he hates parrots.get rid of the seed mix it's too fatty for regular diet and should only be treats. he should have pellots,fruits,veggies,and pastas mine love the multi-colored vegtable pastas if our own dinner is not healthy enough for them to eat with us.you should also take him to the vet he should not smell bad.the only time one of mine smelled it was a bacteria infection.

[brfussne]

I would highly recommend taking Max to an Avian vet asap to rule out any illnesses. Parrots are good at hiding their illnesses. Also, I heard that parrots tend to raise one leg up if they're cold. Is Max shivering? You may want to turn the heat up in your house or apartment & see if that helps him. Please post back & let us know how Max is doing!

[birdfeathers]

Thanks to all for your help (including dorp). We never thought there would be such a big difference going from a mustache parakeet to a hahn macaw but it really is like day and night. I will find a vet and take him for a checkup and we will start weening him from one food to the other and getting his diet balanced out.

[birdfeathers]

Once again I'd like to thank all of you for your helpful comments and support. Max is doing fine. I did take him to the Vet and nothing serious showed up, also I changed his food and he likes the new one a lot better. It looks like he is becoming use to his surroundings so I think fairly soon we will have a well rounded Max bird.

[GlassOnion]

I just want to add in that Hahns Macaws are not suitable to eat a lot of seed, same with Maustache parakeets. They barely eat seeds in the wild so that diet is very unsuitable for them. A pelleted diet with lots of veggies/fruits/grains is the way to go. The common misconception that parrots live on seeds is always a frustrating topic for me.