Harley is an 18 year old Harliquin Macaw that was rescued last year by a friend. The last several months she said things haven't been good with him and for every step she's gone forward she's taken two back. She was thinking of putting him in a sanctuary because he was aggressive :-( I told her to give John and myself a shot at working with him and she agreed. For starters she runs a day care out of her house and his cage was upstairs in her sons bedroom with another macaw..he was not happy. We figured he might do well here because we have no kids (did try, didn't work) and I have the bird room built that houses all my macaws.

Three weeks ago we headed upstate to visit Barb and on the way home picked up Harley outside of Albany. When we walked into his room you could see he was mad. He looked at us from underneath his eyes. He wasn't bad while we were there, he behaved in the carrier and off we went. When we stopped at a rest stop I decided to take him and and see how he does. He cuddled and cried like the baby birds do when they're scared. He eventually calmed down and was screaming like you wouldn't believe when we got home.

Harley is handicapped, he's missing all his front toes on his left foot. We have him an extra large cage and put three different types of perches. We're going to put a shelf in just in case he wants to lie down.

I used a stick to take him out of his cage, he was slightly aggressive and would try to attack if you put your hand in...and he was not bluffing! Once he was out he didn't want to be bothered. I tried anyway and could get a couple of head scratches then would let him be.

Last week his attitude changed. I still used a stick but when I'd put him on his play stand his eyes would pinpoint and he scream. His whole face would turn red! He'd then start regurgitating. This went on all week.

Last weekend when I was covering them for the night Harley ran down to the bottom of his cage and was peeking out. I opened the cage and put my hand in, he stepped right up and curled into me. I think I've cracked his shell....

During meal time as I'm going from cage to cage he follows me inside his..back and forth he goes. Comes right up to the side of the cage and lets me touch his feet & chest through the bars. I no longer use a stick to take him out for playtime. Our cuddling has turned into him burrowing his head into me and as I gently rub his face and purrs...

Tonight I got my first kiss...

Here are pictures of him when we first got him. I'll post the new ones tomorrow. I just got a new computer (imac) and I need John to attached the piece for me to upload my pictures!

Thanks for the update! Harley looks like a luvbug just needing the right outlet. I'm so glad he is in good hands now, it is so heartwarming when you break that hard shell and get the soft melty chocolate inside can't wait for new pictures!

I never had doubt it would turn out like this!

Harley has found a loving home. Melts my heart.

We love Jeanne and John! You two are good eggs! Good going!