macaw foraging

Question
I have a male blue and Gold who likes to pick at my carpeting in my closet. He also regurgitates to some toys he found in the closet as well. Do I want to let him do this? Also, he tends to pluck part of his chest feathers and we are constantly giving him new wooded chew toys in his large cage as well as giving him a lot of attention when we are home. He is well loved. We also have a female who he is (tolerant) of as they act like typical brother and Sister attitudes to each other. She (Maya)gets my husbands attention and HE(oscar) who likes me best gets a lot of my attention. What can I do to detain him from wanting to pick at my carpeting? He gets about 10 hours of sleep every night.

Answer
Your last sentence was the most helpful.  At this time of year the macaws should be getting about 13 hours sleep time and no matter which time of year it is, they need 12 hours sleep.

 The short sleep hours will also keep their 'mating' behavior going, which includes the regurgitation and can also be contributing to the plucking.  They'll often lighten the feather area there to better brood eggs (and 'feather the nest').  However, enough to really notice isn't a good thing, so I'd have him checked by a professional for any infection or health problems.

 The plucking could also be a result of carpet ingestion causing a type of allergic reaction.

Stopping a bird, especially a macaw, from doing what they want to do?  Ha! Mine actually laughs at me or admonishes me to "stop it!" if I try to intervene with her bad habits.

The moment he starts to pick at the carpet, pick him up and remove him from the area with a "no".  They learn incredibly fast that they're not supposed to do it, but they also learn that word ("No!").
 A squirt bottle set on stream might help (called 'remote discipline' - he shouldn't associate it with you as much as the action).  

 I've got boingy, hanging perches from reinforced plant hooks in the ceiling (if you can't find a stud, use a molly bolt or other very secure hanging hook).  I hang toys and wood from this too and use a portable pvc perch to scoot up food bowls.  
 My girls ask for "wah'duh" when they're thirsty, but nevertheless I offer it to them regularly throughout the day.  
 
 Take a look at my site for more about set ups and behavior modification - and let me know how this goes ok?  It sounds like a terrific home. These are the best companions ever, aren't they?  But it's like having toddlers for life.

  www.4AnimalCare.org