Species

This is what we know:

Carlos is a Blue-and-Gold Macaw in his 30s, and we’ve had enough time with him now to know a little more about who he actually is.

He is food motivated, which helps a lot, and he does better when people slow down and let him read the situation instead of coming straight at him with hands.

He can bite, and he will if he feels pushed. He’s not an instant-best-friend macaw and he’s not going to fake it for anybody. You need to pay attention to what he’s telling you and not blow past the warning signs because you really want him to step up.

He also has some extra growth on the lower beak that will need regular maintenance. If his adopter is close to us, I’m happy to help with that here, and Dr. McNally or Dr. McDonald can handle it too. It’s manageable, but it is something his future person needs to plan for and stay on top of.

Carlos has also done some feather picking/over-preening. We don’t know how much of that will improve or what may just be Carlos being Carlos long-term. A really good diet, enrichment, routine, and a home that pays attention to his actual needs are going to matter.

He’s not a beginner macaw, but he is absolutely a bird somebody could build a real relationship with if they’re willing to earn it.

Age: In his 30’s

Sex: M

Prefers: Males/Females: Seems to like women. He loves to be baby-talked to.

Other Bird Aggressive? We haven’t allowed this bird to interact with other for their safety.

Cage Aggressive? He can be.

Adoption Fee: $1000

Cage Available: Affordable used cages available to purchase starting at $100-to 250 up to 1000.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Will need someone who is willing to work with him. He is hilarious, funny, interactive. He needs someone he can trust and learn with who will give him the grace to make mistakes.

***Information that is universal to every bird:

1) Birds are typically not family animals. They usually choose a favorite and at best you can expect them to tolerate everyone else.

2) Birds are not great with kids, dogs, other birds, and are not cuddly with everyone, nor can they really be trained to be. Birds are flock animals, who are social creatures that need to be in a communal area where they can see the rest of the family, or you may eperience serious vocalization and behavior problems. We’ve never met a bird who is great with kids, but we have met kids who are respectful of birds.

3) Birds bite. But, you shouldn’t “take the bite”. If you’re getting bit, you haven’t earned the trust of the bird, and are pushing the bird past his/her limits. You must figure out what the bird needs, and make what you’re asking of the bird more attractive than what they are already doing.

4) Birds are not “dominance” based creatures. Your only option for birds is to earn their trust. If they are, say…on top of a cage and don’t want to come down, that is where they feel safest, not a dominance thing. They are not trying to exert dominance, they just don’t want to come down. Your job as a parrot owner is to figure out what you can do to help them trust you, and whatever you are asking to be more attractive than what they are already doing.

5) NEVER send money over the internet for adoption with any individual or organization for the adoption of an animal you have not met in person. That is almost always a scam.