Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Coney Island, New York Shown: Baby Blue and Gold Macaw "Coco"

After approximately 3 months of hand feeding, raising and training Coco, our friend's blue and gold macaw, we recently said goodbye to her and sent her home to him from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It was harder than I thought, which is why I always hate taking on birds for people (especially when they're babies) only to send them away. However, my emotions were relieved when she arrived safely in Canada to her permanent owner and they were so excited to meet her. 

She was already starting to say her name, and was flying very well. Within one day of being at her new home, she is recalling on command and didn't hesitate to hand feed for her new owners either. (Normally after travel most baby birds refuse to eat right away.)

We are so pleased and Dave continues to coach these new bird owners on how to raise Coco properly so as to avoid common behavioral problems most birds obtain with new owners like severe aggression issues, liking only one person in the household, biting, and screaming as well as feather plucking. If you need help with any of these issues, check out the training courses at this website. 

For some video of the flight training we did with Coco, click here.

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.