As part of our rehabilitation and release program, we recently took in a juvenile macaw who was found in the road by one of our caregiver’s homes. At the moment, we are calling him Memphis. As with standard juvenile rescue situations, we are giving him a bit of affection, which he would usually get from his mother, while still trying to prevent him from getting attached to humans. It can be a tricky balance. He sits on an indoor perch overlooking the property where we can keep an eye on him, and he can still chat with the other birds outside. Interestingly, he can tell the difference between the red and green macaws and the gold and blue ones that look like him, just by their calls, and talks to them accordingly.
Using our donated x-ray equipment, we discovered that Memphis has both a broken wing and a broken right femur. He went to an orthopedist for surgery, and will remain bandaged for several weeks. He seems to be progressing well and will soon (we hope) go back for x-rays to make sure he’s healed properly and then will have to have his surgical hardware removed. We can’t be sure of how Memphis will heal until his rehabilitation begins. If he seems potentially releasable, he’ll be gradually moved into larger spaces, so that we can determine if it will be safe to allow him back into the wild. He will be in a large cage until he builds up some muscle and gains more coordination in his healed leg. After that, Memphis will graduate to a flight cage, where he can safely build up the muscle in his wings. It’s a long process, but we have to be certain that he can care for himself before we send him off into the world.
In this video, Memphis is sitting in a pulsed electromagnetic field crate receiving treatment. We are working with SEMA, the state’s environment authority, on his rehabilitation and hopeful release. In the meantime, he’s spending his time closely examining his bandages (sometimes with his beak) – which are changed regularly – getting some pain relief from medicine, and eating (among other things) bananas, his favorite food.
As you can see here, it seems to be a universal fact that all babies fight sleep.
P.S.: Please ignore the dirt on the backside of the carrier; it’s his medicine, which he sometimes is happier to help us get on the bag than in his mouth. 🙂 And the music is coming from my computer, so it’s louder in the video than it is for him.
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SandyJK says
December 14, 2021 at 2:40 pmHe’s beautiful and we’re so glad he was found by someone that knew exactly how to get him the care and love that he needs. Is it likely that it was a fall from a nest or did he get hit by a truck or something?
Sara says
December 14, 2021 at 3:11 pmWe really don’t have any way of knowing for sure. But we think his parents might have checked on him to make sure he was being cared for.
Carol says
December 14, 2021 at 2:42 pmHi Memphis! Feel better soon and heal perfectly! You’re in the BEST hands in the world, you lucky macaw!!!
jj skiddy says
December 14, 2021 at 3:13 pmafter reading stories after stories of horror an abuses to all animals i come across this and a beam of light is shown that there are decent humans left ….All i can do besides donating what i can is to say Thank you all and Bless you all who care so deep……
Sara says
December 14, 2021 at 3:33 pmThank you for your donations. Every gift is truly appreciated. Simply spreading the word or sharing our posts on social media makes a huge difference. We are grateful for you and will continue to do the best we can for all.
June Ross says
December 14, 2021 at 3:23 pmAmazing! Love Memphis and I do hope for a speedy recovery for him. He is beautiful!
Kenneth B. Newman says
December 14, 2021 at 3:59 pmDoes this Macaw like the music? I wish you showed us on the video the view from above, and his x-rays….Can he spread his wings, or is the broken one still unmovable and painful for him? does he squawk at you? Besides bananas, what else do you feed him?
Sara says
December 14, 2021 at 6:54 pmIn addition to bananas which, like mangoes, grow on most of the farms near here (so birds often eat them) he also eats palm nuts, since that is what most macaws in the area eat. Those make up about 80% of a birds diet in the wild. He gets other nuts and seeds and we supplement that with nutrient-rich pellets, since he had two separate breaks and we need to make sure he has a balanced diet. Memphis has two plates of various foods available to him at all times so that he can choose when and what to eat. He doesn’t seem to pay attention to the music, since he is used to all sorts of sounds in the wild. He cannot spread both of his wings, since the broken one has to be bandaged to prevent him from moving it. And he is very loud and makes lots of noises. They aren’t always necessarily directed at us, but he is a talkative little guy.
Rachel says
December 14, 2021 at 4:00 pmMemphis is a beauty. So happy he’s with you – the best place to be for smart kindness, focused treatment, and respect for what’s best for him. Bravo GSE! 💝
Lori Hoover says
December 14, 2021 at 4:04 pmNow I see how people can fall in love with baby macaws. What a sweetie.
Audrey says
December 14, 2021 at 4:14 pmSuch a great name. He’s beautiful, I’m hope he up and flying around soon. 🥰
Julie says
December 14, 2021 at 4:28 pmHello Memphis! You and your parents probably already sense you’re in good hands! What will happen to Memphis if he cannot be released?
Sara says
December 14, 2021 at 6:39 pmIf for some reason his wing or leg can’t become fully functional, Memphis will likely join the rest of our rescue animals. But we’re a long way off from knowing that yet.
Wim says
December 14, 2021 at 5:11 pmHi Memphis. Wish you a smooth recovery. You’re in the best possible caring hands. Love your beautiful colours and marking.
Btw fabulous music!!!
Jen says
December 14, 2021 at 7:20 pmOmg he’s gorgeous! So hilarious, fighting the sleepy time! (I do the same, I get it dude)
Thank you all over there for such amazing empathy for all living things, and the ability and facility
to be able to care for them.
Tracy H says
December 14, 2021 at 9:16 pmSo beautiful. Nothing like rehabbing to Clair de lune.
Katie Howard says
December 14, 2021 at 11:03 pmWow! Memphis is stunning with such vivid colors! And yes – they are noisy birds!
So glad you’re safe among care of him and hope all is successful!
Sandra Paquet says
December 15, 2021 at 11:51 amHe’s so cute and he was really trying not to go to sleep! Hope he’ll be well and flying in no time. You guys are great to help him rehabilitate. You’re so caring for any animals that need your help. The elephants have always been in good hands with you!
Sherry says
December 19, 2021 at 6:24 pmMemphis is one lucky bird to be found by one of your caregivers! He looks tired and I believe he is enjoying the
music! I broke my right femur one time and it was year before I could walk again!! I am so sorry for Memphis.
There is a bird sanctuary near me. They take birds that owners cannot keep any longer or owners have abandoned them. Thank you very much for caring for all of the animals. I know Memphis will tell his friends all
about you someday!
Carey says
February 1, 2022 at 7:19 amHe is absolutely gorgeous, and so interesting that different types of Macaws have different languages .
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Meet Memphis – the Newest Member of Our Wildlife Rehab Program