Bird taking another bird.

[princessnmi]

Got a quick question, My friend was given a proven pair of blue and gold macaws. Shortly after she got them. the female died. Will the male accept another female? She was told they are about 3-4 years old. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[Magnum]

I am so sorry I can't help, but just wanted to say I am sorry the poor bird died. :( Do they know why?

[lianatch]

it is very possible that he will not. probably just as likely that he will. you cannot know that beforehand. birds have different personalities and just like people can either get along well, or choose to co-exist, or just plain hate each other. i dont think that it is necessary to 'replace' the female bc there is a chance it would not work.

[krazy4birds]

I think if it were me I would be finding out why the female died. It could be something that is contagious so I would hold off untill I had some answers.

[princessnmi]

She took the female to the vet, and the vet said that it was probably stress related, but found nothing contagious. She also took the male to the vet to be on the safe side and because he has started plucking since the female died. We don't know what to do because the vet said that the plucking is probably because the bird is lonely. Its been with its mate most of its life. Its not a friendly bird so it having a human mate isn't working. I'm afraid that Noah won't accept another female but what happens if he continues to pluck? Any help

[SkyBlue241]

Wow, that must be painful, losing his mate. Just make sure there are toys available in the cage, although they may not prove to help his feather plucking at all. I mean the female was his mate for a long time, but some toys may help in some way. As lianatch said, if another female is introduced it may or may not respond in a positive way. Unless you can get another female macaw, try the two together for a little while, and then decide whether you want to keep it or not. Cause 1,500 dollars is alot to spend if your looking for a mate for the male, and it doesnt turn out the way you wanted it to. The macaw may not instantaneously want to become freinds with the owner, but over lots of time spent with him, there could be some bonding. Parrots love to gnaw on willow branches (fresh if possible, with leaves and all), so you can provide him with a new one every day. Make sure he has enough light in the cage, and a even a birdbath. Of course the last resort to bad feather plucking is a collar, which may seem a bit harsh, but it's better than watching the bird pluck itself bald. Hope I've been of some help, and please update us on the macaw.:)

[krazy4birds]

Oh gosh...I don't know what to tell you but I am sure he is right about why this bird is picking his feathers. The bird is probably in mourning and sinse he was not socialized with people then that makes it harder yet. I'm sorry I do not have any answers for you but I hope someone will. God Bless

[SkyBlue241]

Princessnmi, also you can put on the radio for the bird. Birds appreciate that kind of thing, lol. Also you can put a wig in the cage for the macaw to preen. SOuth American birds like your macaw seem the most prone to sexual frustration and feather pluck because of it, but I doubt thats the case. Also remember to feed him a very healthy diet with a good sorce of calcium (Calciboost for example). Remember he needs plenty of different placed perches and a large cage.

[lianatch]

that really is a difficult and sad situation. if health reasons have been ruled out (i mean if the vet was a certified avian vet, etc.), then i think your friend needs to take it slow and try building a bond with the bird. i understand she got them recently? if that is the case, they probably have not built a bond and the bird feels totally lonely in the new environment. i dont know how much your friend knows about birds and macaws in particular. but if she/he doesnt, maybe reading as much as she/he can and trying to understand the bird and try to make the bird comfortable in the new environment. try looking into other things that may be bothering the bird - any other changes like food, cage, location of the cage, pretty much any little thing. it would probably help to ask the previous owners if possible about the conditions, behavior, diet and everything else that the bird was used to. i think that trying to make the bird more comfortable and as close as possible to the things that he used to like/have is a good start. hopefully, once they develop a stronger bond the plucking will go away. i would hold off with introducing another female bird though until the male is used to his new life. maybe your friend would like to join in and ask more detailed quetions on handling the macaws, etc. it always helps...