‘Offended' Macaw Holds a Grudge-Until Mom Says 3 Important Words
If you're lucky enough to have a vocal bird, there's no telling what might fly out of their mouth if they're upset. They're extremely intelligent, which means they know what they're saying, and they have no problem snapping back. I've never had a Parrot, but from what I've learned, they're a lot like human toddlers-always testing the limit!
One Hahn's Macaw named Theo gets "offended" when Mom comments on his appearance after he's plucked his feathers off. Luckily for her, all it takes is three words, and this sweet boy forgets all about the infraction.
@theoandco I am waiting for the day this bird stops plucking and chewing his tail off. He is such a sweetheart. #theothehahnsmacaw#bird#birds#hahnsmacaw#birdsoftiktok
original sound - Theo & Co
Mom's comments about Theo's featherless look are all in jest, but his reaction to it is hilarious. Whether he's acting like he's angry doesn't matter because this Macaw is too precious, no matter what he's doing.
He all but melts when she says those three important words, "I love you," and he says it back-albeit a little annoyed and frustrated when he says it!
Related: Parrot Dashes Free From Cage To Sing 'Bad Boy' Duet With Dog Bestie
After Theo got over his hurt feelings, he went right back to being the good boy we all know he is. He knows it, too, as shown in this follow-up clip:
@theoandco Always proud of this bird, regardless…He is my joy, my world and the only reason I breathe. In honor of mental health awareness month. Studies show that listening to just six minutes of birdsong can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. #theothehahnsmacaw#bird#birdsoftiktok#birds#hahnsmacaw
suara asli - mm_desain - mm_desain
Do Macaws Really Hold Grudges?
Macaws are so smart that they are capable of holding grudges. Compared literally and figuratively to human toddlers, they have the emotional capacity to remember people and events, specifically if you've scared them, broken trust, or even taken them to the vet.
They might show you they're upset with the silent treatment, refusing to interact with you or preen in front of you, through body language (ruffled feathers or crouching into attack mode), or even biting.
Experts say it can take a few hours to a few days to forgive. It can take days to months! To earn their trust back, let them lead the way, and don't force interaction.
Like with cats, dogs, and humans, reward them with high-value treats to coax them back to letting it go. They might forgive, but don't expect them to forget! It's a good thing Theo's so darn cute and that he loves Mom so much, or this might've ended in a totally different way!
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 10:20 AM.