Matthew the Military Macaw

Article from “The Mickaboo Bird Rescue Companion”
Published January 2025

By Dominique Soileau
[Editor's note:  This is an update on Matthew, one of Mickaboo's more dramatic intakes, and his journey since he joined the Mickaboo rescue flock.]

Military macaws are named for their uniform like coloring. Like many human military veterans, Matthew came to Mickaboo with scars and a story to tell. Found limp and unmoving on a hike by a keen-eyed veterinarian, Matthew barely escaped death. He was severely dehydrated and had suffered multiple traumas. The kind veterinarian was able to revive him before contacting Mickaboo for assistance. 

Mickaboo took him to an avian vet where he spent two months receiving medical care and gaining strength. It was unclear if he would survive his ordeal and he remained unclaimed by any previous families. However Matthew is a fighter and he was soon ready for a foster family. Matthew's age is unknown; the veterinarian believes he is an older bird. He has cataracts with low vision and has suffered multiple traumas throughout his life.
 
Now that he is settled in a foster home it is clear that Matthew has had a rough life with unpredictable humans. His foster family is working hard on gaining trust and teaching him that humans can be safe and kind. Fear-free training and gaining trust takes time and patience after a lifetime of hurt. Matthew is an exceptionally intelligent being, quick to figure out puzzle toys and which family member may sneak him an extra pine nut when he bobs his head at them. He will make quick work of any wooden toy and every day he is lunging less as people walk by his cage. 

Matthew spends his days intensely watching the activity of the kids in the home and vocalizing with his green wing macaw roommate. He is starting to use his voice to join in conversation with a “woohoo!” or an “uh oh”. Matthew is on a healthy diet but unfortunately his crop doesn't always fully empty. Due to old injuries, extending his wings is challenging and it's unlikely he will ever fly again. Because of his cataracts/low vision and older joints, Matthew has mostly soft perches that stay in the same place for ease of navigation. His brain loves novelty and he is too smart for his own good. Enrichment must be frequently changed and challenging while also being macaw-beak proof. 
   
Unfortunately, his medical journey is not over. Matthew continues to undergo veterinary care for a tumor of unknown pathology on his foot. He may never fully trust his human counterparts but underneath his tough exterior there is a gentle soul yearning for connection and we work hard every day to fulfill that.

[Editor's note: Thank you, Dominique, for taking Matthew in as a foster and working so well with him!]