Hello

[HugotheMac]

"Hello everyone! I'm HugotheMac, a 28-year-old parrot enthusiast hailing from the beautiful country of Sweden. My feathered companion, Hugo, is a vibrant blue and gold macaw who brightens up my life every day. Living together in an apartment has its challenges, but Hugo and I have formed a strong bond since he became my first bird. While we usually get along swimmingly, Hugo is currently going through a phase that has me seeking some extra support and guidance. That's why I've joined this community—to connect with fellow parrot lovers, share experiences, and seek advice during these times when Hugo's behavior might be a bit more unpredictable. I'm eager to learn and grow alongside all of you as we navigate the wonderful world of parrot companionship together!"

 

[Xoetix]

Hello and welcome!!

 

[Emma&pico]

And
@Icey @Shezbug @Toy @Sarah13 @Macawnutz i feel like I am missing a few are amazing with macaw advice

 

[Icey]

Welcome to the Avenue.
What is Hugo doing that has you concerned?
How old is he and how long have you had him?

 

[HugotheMac]

Welcome to the Avenue.
What is Hugo doing that has you concerned?
How old is he and how long have you had him?

I've had him for about three months now, and we've gotten along very well. When he first came to me, he wasn't really tame at all, so I've spent a lot of time, as one does. The progress has been huge; now he steps up, comes out of the cage, and can hang around with me a lot more in the apartment. It's been great.

But for about a week now, he's been acting kind of strange. He never used to scream during the morning or even after lunch; the earliest he starts is around 4pm, unless I'm with him. If I'm with him, he has never screamed before. However, in the last week, when I've had him out, he's been acting up. You can see that something is bothering him, and when he screams, it's ear-numbing. This starts the same time every day, at 5pm. I don't know what is causing this. It comes out of the blue. I've been trying different things, but it does not seem to work.
I figured it might be hormones, because it feels like those comes and goes alot more then some people say it does. But im a newbie on this bird owning stuff, so i cant really tell.

 

[Toy]

Could be hormones. Could be he wants attention or is bored. Suggest you ignore him when he does this. Do not even look at him. What time do you feed him? Do he have toys he can destroy?

 

[HugotheMac]

Could be hormones. Could be he wants attention or is bored. Suggest you ignore him when he does this. Do not even look at him. What time do you feed him? Do he have toys he can destroy?

Yea he got toys, i build my own, Cheaper that way. I dont think it is because he is bored, its been happening while hes been with me, hanging around. He never screamed like this before, it seems to come so sudden with little warning, sometime he starts a talk before, sound like an annoyed baby. The feeding stuff i have yet to master. I’v tried chop and giving him veggies for some time now, he refuse to eat it. He get some fruits now and then, often we chare some. Then pellets and treats. I have a bowl of pellets in his cage, when his out of the cage he eats whatever im eating as long its safe for him.
And i do try to ignore him to some extent. But it does not seem to healthy to let him scream for 10 -20 min, i try to balance it.

 

[sunnysmom]

 

[sunnysmom]

Yea he got toys, i build my own, Cheaper that way. I dont think it is because he is bored, its been happening while hes been with me, hanging around. He never screamed like this before, it seems to come so sudden with little warning, sometime he starts a talk before, sound like an annoyed baby. The feeding stuff i have yet to master. I’v tried chop and giving him veggies for some time now, he refuse to eat it. He get some fruits now and then, often we chare some. Then pellets and treats. I have a bowl of pellets in his cage, when his out of the cage he eats whatever im eating as long its safe for him.
And i do try to ignore him to some extent. But it does not seem to healthy to let him scream for 10 -20 min, i try to balance it.

If he screams for 20 minutes and then you give him attention, you just taught him that he needs to scream for 20 minutes to get your attention. Seriously. They're that smart. You have to be careful not to reinforce the screaming. If there's something wrong, that's different, but you don't want him to learn to scream for attention.

 

[HugotheMac]

If he screams for 20 minutes and then you give him attention, you just taught him that he needs to scream for 20 minutes to get your attention. Seriously. They're that smart. You have to be careful not to reinforce the screaming. If there's something wrong, that's different, but you don't want him to learn to scream for attention.

Yea i understand. I will have to think about that then, thanks! Now its never thats bad anyway but i will have to inform the others in the house as well.

 

[Icey]

Did you take him to an avian vet for a checkup since you've had him?
Also do you have any idea how old he is?
If he's screaming around noon and then around 5, both are meal times. Are you making sure he's eating enough of his own food, or just giving him yours? Also what kind of things are you feeding him?
Veggies can be hard for them to take at first, but keep trying please. Let him see you eating them. Tell him how yummy they are. If he's eating veggies like you are, he may be more inclined to eat more.
I would definitely get him in for an avian vet checkup. (Most people do when they acquire a bird.)

 

[HugotheMac]

Did you take him to an avian vet for a checkup since you've had him?
Also do you have any idea how old he is?
If he's screaming around noon and then around 5, both are meal times. Are you making sure he's eating enough of his own food, or just giving him yours? Also what kind of things are you feeding him?
Veggies can be hard for them to take at first, but keep trying please. Let him see you eating them. Tell him how yummy they are. If he's eating veggies like you are, he may be more inclined to eat more.
I would definitely get him in for an avian vet checkup. (Most people do when they acquire a bird.)

Im in the process of saving money for the vet, i want them to look him over. But im a student at the moment, and the money stuggle is real. but as soon as i can he will be there.
He eats pellets (nutribird p15 tropical). He got a bowl in the cage at all times, then he often eats whatever i eat (as long as its safe). I might have spoiled him with treats tho, this kind of stuff is hard! He loves sunflower seeds and almonds with the shell.
I will keep trying to give him veggies, but i might have been neglecting the veggies myself so i will try eating it with him!
I got an certificat when i bought him, that says he was born in 2017, so hes 6 years old (that is recuired in sweden for these kind of birds)

 

[HugotheMac]

Im in the process of saving money for the vet, i want them to look him over. But im a student at the moment, and the money stuggle is real. but as soon as i can he will be there.
He eats pellets (nutribird p15 tropical). He got a bowl in the cage at all times, then he often eats whatever i eat (as long as its safe). I might have spoiled him with treats tho, this kind of stuff is hard! He loves sunflower seeds and almonds with the shell.
I will keep trying to give him veggies, but i might have been neglecting the veggies myself so i will try eating it with him!
I got an certificat when i bought him, that says he was born in 2017, so hes 6 years old (that is recuired in sweden for these kind of birds)

And i might have been unclear, my bad. But he never screams. From 7 when he wakes up untill 4 or 5pm he does not scream at all. Even if hes been left alone he does not. But if he does not get some attention after that he screams, but its not that loud. The last week now has been different. He gets annoyed starts talking and then screams. After 10 min its over, he goes back to the sweet bird he is.

 

[Toy]

His diet should be pellets, a little seed mix, veggies, a few in-shell nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc., but no peanuts) & a little fruit. We feed wet foods in the AM. Scrambled egg, mixed veggies, cooked sweet potato, etc. Dry foods & nuts mid to late afternoon. If he didn't have veggies in his previous home(s) he may not understand that they are safe to eat. So eat some, then give him some. Make yummy sounds. That shows him it's OK to eat.

Some screaming is normal, but not for 10-20 minutes.

Does he have a swing? Macaws love swings.

Macaws also love silly, so laugh, dance, sing, etc. They also like to be in the middle of things you do, like daily chores. Sharing a meal is OK, but limit what he gets to parrot healthy foods. If he's sitting at the table with you give him his own dish.

 

[Sarah13]

And
@Icey @Shezbug @Toy @Sarah13 @Macawnutz i feel like I am missing a few are amazing with macaw advice

Thank you

Welcome lovely Hugo!
Feel free to post away with any inquiries/pick our brains.
We're happy to help.
I have lived in many apartments, all around the US only, for the past 12 years with macaws and have never received a noise complaint.
It can absolutely be done but species specificproclivities, husbandry, and lifestyle can definitely facilitate or complicate the situation.

 

[Shezbug]

Welcome to the Avenue

Sounds like he is just starting to settle in and see what he can train you to do for him lol

You said this: This starts the same time every day, at 5pm.
I wonder if much like my bird who dislikes the rubbish truck sound which he hears well before I do and he lets me know it is coming and getting closer to our house by carrying on about it. Is it possible your fella is hearing a motor or seeing something from outside which you don't notice or have overlooked? I ask this simply because you say it starts at the same time each day.

I have a question if you do not mind answering for me- My son has friends in Sweden who have been shocked to see I have single birds, I was of the belief that in Sweden all birds had to be kept with their own kind... Is this true or is there loopholes for some of the larger harder to accommodate birds?

 

[LiveLolBrd]

 

[HugotheMac]

Welcome to the Avenue

Sounds like he is just starting to settle in and see what he can train you to do for him lol

You said this: This starts the same time every day, at 5pm.
I wonder if much like my bird who dislikes the rubbish truck sound which he hears well before I do and he lets me know it is coming and getting closer to our house by carrying on about it. Is it possible your fella is hearing a motor or seeing something from outside which you don't notice or have overlooked? I ask this simply because you say it starts at the same time each day.

I have a question if you do not mind answering for me- My son has friends in Sweden who have been shocked to see I have single birds, I was of the belief that in Sweden all birds had to be kept with their own kind... Is this true or is there loopholes for some of the larger harder to accommodate birds?

I’ve been trying to understand what’s been going on with him. There were times in the past when he acted out briefly, but I brushed it off as just a bad day. However, this time, it’s been going on for about a week. But today, he’s been an absolute sweetheart! So affectionate and gentle, seeking head scratches while sitting with me, and not a single scream. Do you think the rough patch might be behind us?

Regarding the bird situation in Sweden, authorities recommend keeping two birds of the same species. If that’s not possible, they suggest ensuring that a single bird forms a strong bond with its owner for their well-being. But there is no law stating otherwise. The only law there is for birds, is that the space for like an macaw should be no less then 6,5 square meters with at least 1,8 meters in hight. And the certificate that it is born and raised in captivity!

 

[HugotheMac]

Thank you

Welcome lovely Hugo!
Feel free to post away with any inquiries/pick our brains.
We're happy to help.
I have lived in many apartments, all around the US only, for the past 12 years with macaws and have never received a noise complaint.
It can absolutely be done but species specificproclivities, husbandry, and lifestyle can definitely facilitate or complicate the situation.

Thank you very much! Living in an apartment, I’m fortunate to have understanding neighbors, so Hugo’s occasional screaming isn’t a big issue. Overall, he’s quite quiet, but it’s heartbreaking to see him feeling sad or frustrated. (Ofc it can be annoying as well) but I always feel like I should do something differently to help him. One thing I’ve noticed is that he always seems scared. He follows me everywhere, but I can feel his grip tighten when he’s uncomfortable with something. Any suggestions on how to make him more comfortable? He’s always hated rattling sounds like paper and plastic bags, so I’ve tried to minimize those around him.

 

[HugotheMac]

His diet should be pellets, a little seed mix, veggies, a few in-shell nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc., but no peanuts) & a little fruit. We feed wet foods in the AM. Scrambled egg, mixed veggies, cooked sweet potato, etc. Dry foods & nuts mid to late afternoon. If he didn't have veggies in his previous home(s) he may not understand that they are safe to eat. So eat some, then give him some. Make yummy sounds. That shows him it's OK to eat.

Some screaming is normal, but not for 10-20 minutes.

Does he have a swing? Macaws love swings.

Macaws also love silly, so laugh, dance, sing, etc. They also like to be in the middle of things you do, like daily chores. Sharing a meal is OK, but limit what he gets to parrot healthy foods. If he's sitting at the table with you give him his own dish.

Well, he used to have a swing, but he tore that apart without ever sitting on it! I eat a lot of sweet potatoes myself, so I often prepare some without salt or spices for him. He does eat them sometimes but prefers them raw, although I’ve read somewhere that they can’t digest them properly. I’ll try eating more veggies with him and encourage it!

But something that I find hard to understand is whether he should have food in his cage at all times or not. Should I set up a schedule for him to get meals at certain times?