Posted by Christopher on Sun, 01/15/2006 - 21:13 :: Macaws
I was wondering if I should change something with Oscar.
I made something from an old pair of my jeans. They now are cut up and have become a hanging toy that he chews on at night and then also the places himself so that it is on his back when he goes to sleep.
He stands on his night perch in his cage and the hanging hand-made jean-toy after he chews on it then he positions himself so that the toy is laying on his back.
There is another pair of pants that I have made into a silimar toy that is in front of him and he chews it.
He likes to pull these around him at night when he goes to sleep. Like curtains. He has a cage cover so I do not know what his deal is about that.
He never distroys a toy I make for him. Only store bought toys. I don't know how he knows, but he does.
Then, he has two day-time toys that he loves to chew and rattle them around as they are made of acrylic and he can be "hard" on them and he rattles them a lot and chews.

Then he will sometimes have one of these toys resting on his back while he naps. It is a play toy that hangs from a "branch" on his playstand. He can go out on this playstand and eat and play with some toys.
I first thought maybe it was a security issue, but now I suspect it is not.
Does it have any sexual overtones?
Or should I not worry about any of this?
So, what should I do? Nothing? or take the toys?
Posted by Ruth on Mon, 01/16/2006 - 05:04.
Lady Scarlett likes to have soft cotton tassles from toys on her head. Sometimes she holds the tassle and her head in one claw, closes her eyes and makes little "uh uh" sounds. I thought it was like cuddling with a blanky. She seems very content when she does it. I'd love to hear about other similar macaw behaviors.

Ruth Fahrmeier
Maryland
Posted by jtholley03 on Mon, 01/16/2006 - 08:10.
I don't think there are any sexual overtones there. Sounds like his security blanket. If he is sleeping on his back in one I would definitely take them out. They need to rest their feet sometime.
Posted by jtholley03 on Mon, 01/16/2006 - 08:11.
Hos did you attach the jeans to the cage, it sounds like a really good idea.
Posted by Lisa Phoenix on Mon, 01/16/2006 - 10:09.
Pongo my U2 has been sleeping and snuggling with an old t-shirt like this for years. It hangs from the top of her roost cage. Zazu B&G used to like to drape the ropes from some of his toys over his head and back like Lady Scarlett, and is currently working on an old pair of sweat pants. i started tying treats, nuts, and shredded paper into knotted old sox, he can get pretty attached to these toys. He retrieves them to me for a "refill" and carries them around with him. When they get totally holey we start a new one. It's a comfort thing with both birds. i suspect soft preeny cuddle toys are a hedge against plucking and not something to worry about beyond a bird possibly getting tangled in them (shorter lengths of rope and and old clothes seem to be pretty safe).
lisa
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement."
Posted by Ruth on Mon, 01/16/2006 - 10:34.
I have given Lady S and Lord Grayson pieces of old cotton tee shirts (usually ones they have already poked holes in) Grayson chews. LAdy S tries to wear them. Speaking of hedge against plucking (knock on wood) Lady S moulted 2 long tail feathers over the last 2 weeks. Complete, unchewed, folicle intact! She still bites off a few of her litle feathers. Not sure why.

Ruth Fahrmeier
Maryland
Posted by EmmyToast on Mon, 01/16/2006 - 14:09.
i wouldn't worry about it being anything sexual. if he is a male bird, then having something on his back wouldn't arouse anything.
also, he may like having them because they smell or smelled a little like you. you should take it as a compliment! ;)