which mini macaw is for me?

my hub and i are looking for another addition to our flock/family. i wanted a galah, he wanted a grey... but i have been put off by the dander both species have. another option is a mini macaw or an amazon. i'm still looking for the right bird for us.

i want a bird that is fun, active, and talking ability would be a major plus. it would be awesome to have a bird that likes the hub or other people. i was told a galah is more a family bird out of all the parrots. would a hahn's, illiger's, yellow shouldered, or other mini macaw like more than one person? :20:

could you tell me about your mini macaw? are they friendly, chatty, loud, moody, ok with other parrots species? i can take birdy jibber jabber (we have a nanday and he's loud enough to wake the dead). are most mini macaws the same or have similiar characteristics? or is one more passive or shy, louder or quieter than the other? is there a reason you got a hahn's instead of an illiger's? or a noble? etc

i will be the primary bird care giver. hub said i should get a male bird out of whatever bird we pick because he said the male will prefer me first. honestly, it would be a tragedy if the new bird bonded soley with my hub because he's not a bird person and doesn't spend a lot of time at home.

i am usually at home so my birdies are usually out and playing. i'm lucky i can spend so much time with them. whatever bird we get will never be neglected and will get the attention they need. i grew up with an amazon and have some experience with a scarlet macaw when i was younger.

Have you thought of the Eclectus, my male is a GREAT talker.

hey mike, i have seen an ekkie a few times but i just wasn't drawn to them. well, i have seen a female more than the male when i think about it. idk if i'd like an ekkie.

i also thought about a jardine parrot or a poinus. i am not sure the pionus would like my home with the nanday chattering throughout the day. he's actually quiet unless he's calling me or alerting me of something.

They're not very active that's for sure. But my MOST active bird is my Black Lory, he's ALWAYS on the go!!! He's not a talker though, IF you have a bird that screams, he's gonna compete with that bird as they have high pitch scream. Caiques are little clowns that can keep going and going too. I love my macaw and have been around the mini-macaws, but one is more then enough for me, I think two macaw would drive me nuts...lol....All the pionus that I've been around have been very quiet and settle. Jardine Parrot would be a good choice!

I'm sorry but I have to put in a vote for galah. The dander they put out really isn't that much. In fact I don't even notice it. Very family orientated my girl loves everyone. Just saying anyway that galahs rock.

Is noise a factor at all? I ask because my CAG is an angel compared to our mealy amazon *cringes*

i know galahs are so pretty! it's tempting! 1 major thing keeping me away from the galah is the cost. galahs cost more than double a mini macaw! ouch around $2000. a galah maybe more high maintenance than a mini macaw?

i am still researching on the illiger's, noble, and yellow collared mini macaw. i may not be able to meet my bird and have to buy from a breeder in another state, too. this is why i am asking what other people have to share about their experiences and opinions. i really do appreciate your help!

Lintini said:

Is noise a factor at all? I ask because my CAG is an angel compared to our mealy amazon *cringes*

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noise is ok.. i don't want a bird that is known for screaming, but chattering is fine. my nanday can be extremely loud but it's usually for a reason. he does not scream all day long, that would be too much for me!

Well, i don't want own a mini macaws of any sort, but my local bird store has many. Well,the owner of the store has 3 and she brings them to the store all the time. They are the sweetest things! She has a hahns, and two illigers. One of the illigers is really shy and talks to h.er bell alot. Lol. The other two are playful little fellas! Love everybody and talk alot-nonstop. Anyways,they're very fun to be around and love everybody! I think hahns or a illigers macaws is a good choice. =)

Wow feel sorry for you. Galahs just weaned babies are only 300 here. Good luck with your search

well i hope you find the right bird for your flock

I picked a Hahns for myself out of the mini's due to size and temperament.

They have very out going personalities and while not particularly noted for being the best talkers, they can be very engaging. Oh, and they THINK they are big - lol. (Which may or may not be an issue with your other birds)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cXq_8Z1Fbo]Peanut being cute - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngslQPG3kEI]Hahn's Macaw talking II - YouTube[/ame]

The other comment that was pointed out to me was that they are the least nippiest of the minis - though I can't confirm if this is true or false.

We have a Hahns and we've had him for 6yrs. We LOVE him!!! He is not noisy at all .....only a little bit in the morning or when I get home from work. Even that isn't too bad. Hahns, like most Macaws...are very cuddly and love petting and snuggling.

[ame="http://youtu.be/lfLfr_wMcbE"]KEEGAN ON PORCH[/ame]
[ame="http://youtu.be/zZVV3d-JxnY"]KEEGAN BEING CUTE[/ame]


We are now getting an Illiger Macaw.....he/she is just hatched, so it'll be awhile before I have an opinion on them.
I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted a Cape Parrot (or Brown Necked parrot) and they are like Greys w/o all the issues. However....they are also VERY expensive so for now, that's not going to happen. They would be my first pick though. They are also pretty quiet.

Ginkai said:

Wow feel sorry for you. Galahs just weaned babies are only 300 here. Good luck with your search

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Soooo jealous!!! I love galahs, I don't even know why. I read the Cockatoo warning page but I keep talking to Galah owners and they seem a lot sweeter and calmer than other 'toos and they are just gorgeous! So maybe in a few years...it will take that long to save up for one!

Alisana said:

I picked a Hahns for myself out of the mini's due to size and temperament.

They have very out going personalities and while not particularly noted for being the best talkers, they can be very engaging. Oh, and they THINK they are big - lol. (Which may or may not be an issue with your other birds)

Peanut being cute - YouTube

Hahn's Macaw talking II - YouTube

The other comment that was pointed out to me was that they are the least nippiest of the minis - though I can't confirm if this is true or false.

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thx, alisana for those videos! your hahn's is so sweet!! :32: how are they with other pets or other birds? when did your's start talking? is your's very clingy like a conure?

i was also wondering if the hahn was the least nippiest out of the minis, too.

CRYROLFE said:

We have a Hahns and we've had him for 6yrs. We LOVE him!!! He is not noisy at all .....only a little bit in the morning or when I get home from work. Even that isn't too bad. Hahns, like most Macaws...are very cuddly and love petting and snuggling.

KEEGAN ON PORCH
KEEGAN BEING CUTE


We are now getting an Illiger Macaw.....he/she is just hatched, so it'll be awhile before I have an opinion on them.
I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted a Cape Parrot (or Brown Necked parrot) and they are like Greys w/o all the issues. However....they are also VERY expensive so for now, that's not going to happen. They would be my first pick though. They are also pretty quiet.

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thx for the keegan vids! he is so cute! is he ever hormonal during the year or when he was growing up? what size cage do you have for him? i was also considering the illiger, hahn, or jardine. it appears we share very similar parrot interests.

is there a difference in personality between the hahn and illiger? i heard illiger's may be the louder and noisier of the minis. i really like both so i can't decide yet. i also wanted a jardine but they are very scarce and a bit pricer that the mini macaws. i read that jardines are sweet or they can be difficult and aggressive. one really off putting statement i read about jardines is that they can be unpredictable and have hormonal attitudes. :20:

i want a parrot that is friendly, easy to train, less hormonal, and good with other birds. i don't think i'll get the yellow collared mini macaw because i read they can be very aggressive with other birds and needs more socialization. personally, i think the illiger, hahn, and jardine are just goregous birdies! :jumping40

i'd love to hear more about your birds. do they match the species generalization? what makes them the right choice for me? :03:

I feel that the Hahns tend to have a sweeter personality and he will even let everyone hold him (just not pet) and the Illigers that I have met have a stronger personality and are much louder and tend to be a little shy about new things.
Keegan LOVES everything new even if it startles him at first.....he recovers well. Many things you read on Illigers say that you should introduce them to many, many things early on since they tend to be more reserved about strange things and situations if not.
They also are more destructive and playful.
Our Hahns has lots of toys, but rarely tears any up.....just casually plays w/ them.
Both are Macaws and tend to be cuddly.
Hopefully you can find a breeder nearby so you can visit the baby as he grows up.
That will help!
Here is my album of Keegan growing up....
KEEGAN'S ALBUM

My hahns Elroy is fantastic. He is only 8 months but already says quite a few things and has learnt a few tricks as well as basic training. Definately very cuddly and clingy! He can be noisy at times but less and less as he is learning it doesnt get him what he wants. He isnt a one person bird at this stage but is very reserved around strangers and although he will tolerate head scratches he only 'asks' for them from me.

Can definately recomend them

I love the name Elroy!

I love my illigers very sweet bird loves attention and the perfect size......he is aso. Very great talker and likes everyone not just one person unlike my severe lol..I would pur my vote against a severe as they tend to be one person birds love him to death bc I'm his chosen one he will literally fly and bite m partner....go for an illigers I know they cost a lot in new jersey around 1900 they are 1000 in Midwest