First-time bird owner in Milton — help!

Hi all! I just adopted a Hahn's macaw and I'm already head over heels but also completely overwhelmed. So many questions: what pellets do you recommend? How do I know if they're sick? Is it normal for them to sneeze? How do I get them to trust me? I've been googling non-stop but real owner experiences are worth way more. Thanks in advance for any guidance!

Welcome! Great to have you here. Your umbrella cockatoo sounds wonderful!

Just a quick clarification—KhalilWings actually has a Hahn's macaw (one of the "mini macaws"), not an umbrella cockatoo, though both are absolute charmers! Hahn's are a bit smaller than 'toos and produce less powder/dander, but they share that same big personality in a compact package.

To answer your original questions, Khalil: for pellets, Harrison's, Roudybush, and TOP's are all excellent choices available at most Toronto bird stores like The Bird Store & More or Parrot Partner. Occasional sneezing is normal (especially with dust or dry winter air), but if you see discharge, tail-bobbing, or lethargy, definitely see an avian vet—Bloor Animal Hospital or York Mills Animal Hospital both have great avian vets. Building trust takes time; start with offering treats from your hand without forcing interaction, and look into target training—it's a game-changer for bonding.

If you ever need to travel, Bird Sitting Toronto has experience with mini macaws and can keep your Hahn's routine consistent while you're away.

What brought you to choose a Hahn's macaw? Would love to hear more about their personality, and I'm sure others here have great trust-building tips to share!

When I had to travel, I used Bird Sitting Toronto and they were incredible with my Amazon parrot. Daily updates with photos and everything.

One thing that really helped was playing music during the day — my bird loves calm acoustic guitar. Give it a try — can't hurt!

I went through this exact thing with my Hahn's macaw Maple! It lasted about almost six weeks and then resolved on its own. Hang in there.

What kind of cage setup do you have? Sometimes the environment is a factor.

Update: took everyone's advice and things are improving. Pickle is slowly coming around. This forum is the best.

I've had birds for 15 years and I've seen this many times. In my experience it usually comes down to boredom from lack of enrichment and mental stimulation.

Have you tried putting treats inside paper cups, folded paper, or tissue for foraging? That's what solved this issue for us. Game changer honestly.