Bailey & Ozzie PP1469 and PP1470

Introduction:

Bailey and Ozzie are a bonded Pair of B&G Macaws. Ozzie is approximately 30 years old and Bailey is 13 years old. As far as we know they have been together for the last 13 years.

History/Background:

Bailey and Ozzie were relinquished in Feb 25. The lady they came from had only had them four weeks, but due to personal circumstances could not keep them permanently. She had rescued them herself, from a situation where they were being kept in a garage with a poor diet, no enrichment or much attention.

Current Condition:

Bailey is in perfect feather. Ozzie has very tatty tail feathers at present.

Training:

We are working on it! This will be an ongoing process. Both birds are reasonably well behaved, they usually go back to the cage when you ask them to and tap the cage. Bailey is always first then Ozzie follows. You can’t handle or touch either of them, they don’t step up as they never have. Ozzie will step up on a stick, but Bailey won’t. They will both take treats from your hand. Ozzie is a lot more nervous though and stays back, he likes to fluff up and lunge, to scare you off. Bailey is definitely more outgoing and willing to learn. We have started a bit of simple target training. 

Diet:

The boys have chop/fresh veg during the day and Tidymix/ J&J low Sunflower/nuts in the evenings. They literally love sweet red peppers and their favourite nuts are cashews and walnuts. They need two bowls of everything, so they have one each. However sometimes Bailey likes to think that they are all his!

Enrichment:

Neither Bird is used to having toys, and there were no suitable size perches in their cage. They now have toys and a variety of perches. They don’t mind parrot toys in the cage but as yet do not really play with them. They have started to enjoy scrunched up brown paper and shredding cardboard boxes, so it’s a start. Bailey likes to throw cereal boxes from the top of the cage, and he thinks it’s great! Bailey also loves a shower, Ozzie doesn’t mind, but not as enthusiastic!

Summary:

They are beautiful birds and have been a pleasure to safe house.

I believe with a lot of TLC and patience they will come along in leaps and bounds. Bailey especially as he is a lot more responsive and willing to learn and interact with you. They need a home with a firm, confident owner, who is used to big birds. These guys are not tame, cuddly birds, Ozzie especially will bite if you get too close. But they are happy doing their own thing. They are used to being out of the cage all day, sitting together and watching the world go by, or waddling round the floor, chewing cardboard, following each other like little ducks. They do everything together! Oz does like to run and chase feet though. So watch your toes!

Bailey can be quite loud, he is a macaw after all, but not excessively. Ozzie is quieter. You do not hear a peep out of them between 8pm and 8am. When you say night night to them they both say ‘hello, hello, hello!’ in tandem like twins.

I have quite a busy household with 4 older children, the boys are absolutely fine doing their own thing when the kids are around. However the kids do know not to invade their space or try to touch them as they have grown up around birds. 

I have two African greys here as well, though they have not been introduced, so I do not know what they are like with other birds.

They are used to having a female main carer at present, though their original owner was a male.

Both of them let me clean the cage everyday with no problems at all, they like watching to make sure I’m doing it right. They will happily sit on their long perch or on top of the cage while I change the papers and wipe down the bars.

Bailey loves showing off and hanging from the roof of the cage by his beak! Ozzie is just the best dancer and loves to show you his big wings!