M A N U
(the Hawaiian word for "parrot")
A beautiful Blue & Gold Macaw whom I adopted on 12/14/03 when he was one year old.
His previous parront cared for him well, but was overwhelmed with a divorce & caring for her 2 kids & wanted to find a good home for him.
I've always loved the large, colorful parrots, but never imagined I would one day have the opportunity to actually live with one!
It was a new experience for me & I soon found out that I had SO MUCH to learn about the proper care of this magnificent bird! Luckily for me, there is some excellent information here on the internet & I spend a LOT of time on parrot forums learning from, & sharing with, other parronts.
I'll never forget the first few days with him! I was so thrilled, yet nervous about taking care of him properly, I had little confidence that I would be able to provide for him as he deserved.
At first I was somewhat intimidated by his large beak, which is more than capable of crushing large walnuts, & the first few nights I had a hard time getting him into his cage a night. But then I decided that it wasn't doing either of us any good chasing him around on top of his cage for a half hour before he finally went in, so I decided to just over come my fears & let him beak at me until he realized I was serious about him stepping up onto my arm. He was amazingly gentle & I've never been scared of his beak since & he's much easier to put to bed at night!
I realized that big birds make big noise, & big messes, but until he had been with me for awhile, I had no idea how BIG a noise or mess they made!! Good LORD!! Within the first 3 months I was feeling very overwhelmed with it all & was afraid I had made the biggest mistake in my life by adopting him.
BUT I had made a commitment & after a lot of soul searching, I decided that it was I that had to change & adjust if we were going to make it work & I was determined to make it work!
It has worked, the messes no longer bother me & I've grown used to most of the noise. He & I have developed a very close bond & I can't imagine ever living without him now!
F A C T S
PARROT SPECIES: Blue & Gold Macaw
ADOPTED: 12/14/03 at 1 year old
HATCH DATE: unknown, but we celebrate his birthdays on 12/14
GENDER: DNA tested Male
CURRENT DIET: Zupreem natural pellets, along with lots of other good, fresh & frozen foods
FAV FOOD: I would have to say probably nuts, which I give to him in the shell. I keep a jar of mixed walnuts, hazel nuts, pecans, almonds & Brazil nuts which I offer him daily. He also likes pine nuts, which I give to him without the shells when training.