Lago *Adopted*

When we agreed to accept the first macaw, we had basically agreed to take on another two from the same owner. The owner was originally looking for someone to take all three of their macaws.

I was greeted by the owner, and upon entering, I saw a living room filled with cages and birds of all sizes. I now understood why my first bird had no cage and was kept on a vinyl couch and a large dog crate. The owner updated me, explaining that I would only be getting the second macaw as the third one upstairs was going to a family member.

The second macaw I learned was a large Military Macaw. It was a bit overweight, but beautifully colored and fully feathered, unlike the naked Blue and Gold macaw I had been given prior. The cage provided was a large wrought iron cage that had once been white but was now yellowed and rusted. There was no bottom tray, so urine and feces covered the living room floor.

The second macaw I learned was a large Military Macaw. It was a bit overweight, but beautifully colored and fully feathered, unlike the naked Blue and Gold macaw I had been given prior. The cage provided was a large wrought iron cage that had once been white but was now yellowed and rusted. There was no bottom tray, so urine and feces covered the living room floor.

With the macaw safely in the travel cage, I carried him out to my truck, and the owners helped me load the large, dirty cage into the bed of my truck. Upon arrival at home, I settled the travel cage into my bedroom near a window and placed the large cage in my backyard to deep clean. I had to employ the help of a good friend to get the urine, feces and rust off the cage then sand it and repaint it with a bird safe spray on paint. Luckily, I had ordered a brand-new cage for inside my home. The large cage I had placed in my backyard once cleaned was moved into my backyard aviary area.

I was able to get Iago to transition to the new cage inside my home and onto a healthy diet with no problem. His vet visit was the day after arrival at my home. He had lab work, a beak trim, nail trim, flight wing trim and leg band removal all done under a light anesthesia.  According to the vet he only needed some antibiotics for a bacterial infection present in the feces, diet change, and some supplements. After the recheck visit with the veterinarian he was cleared to be adopted out.

The rescue of the second macaw marked the beginning of a new chapter for this beautiful bird. With patience, care, and a clean environment, I was able to screen potential new homes and he was soon adopted and went home with a retired attorney who had other birds in his home and who was able to afford the yearly vet visits, proper diet, and one on one time this bird would need.