How to buy a large parrot?

Urgula

Member
Jul 21, 2013
67
1
Montreal, Canada
Parrots
Barankin (2006 - 2013)- peachface lovebird
Tihan - Yellow naped amazon (6+ years)
Hello!

I am considering getting a macaw.
How do I buy a baby macaw?
I googled it, and on the first link I see this site Beautiful Hand Fed Baby Birds For Sale Parrots, Macaws, African Greys, Cockatoos.

U just click buy and it gets you to paypal.
It's too easy to pay, how do I know that I will not get robbed?

I see only one person in my area that sells blue and gold macaws ($3000 is normal price), but I want colourfull 'patched' macaws. If I can't find someone in my area, what do I do?

I live in Montreal, Qc, Canada. Anyone knows breeders here?

I'm a female. Should I get a male or female. Who talks more?
Are macaws less talkative than amazons?
 

Featheredsamurai

New member
Aug 24, 2011
4,172
19
California
Parrots
African Greg
2 cockatiels
We have a few Canadian members who may be able to recommend a breeder.

You should always contact the breeder and talk on the phone before deciding to buy. They have a "contact me" section. Say that your interested in purchasing a macaw but would like to talk to them first.
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
Best Birds is located in Florida if I'm not mistaken, and I don't think they export to Canada. You would have to find a breeder in your country.

Also, you said you wanted a baby. Please know that it is always best, safest, and healthiest for a baby mac to be abundance weaned before going to a new home. :)

And what do you mean you want a "patched" macaw? Are you talking about a hybrid???
 
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Urgula

Member
Jul 21, 2013
67
1
Montreal, Canada
Parrots
Barankin (2006 - 2013)- peachface lovebird
Tihan - Yellow naped amazon (6+ years)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
> And what do you mean you want a "patched" macaw? Are you talking about a hybrid???

There are arlequins, shamrock, harleygold, catalinas, etc. I guess they're hybrids?

My question is, how do I make sure, the person does not take my money away without giving me a bird and what do I do if I didn't get what I wanted or if I got a sick bird?

I heard some people get their pets from other countries by airplain, so if I buy it like that, how I make sure everything is ok?

By the way, the site I've posted is definitly a fraud. It takes you directly to paypal without even completing a form where provide an address.
 

Featheredsamurai

New member
Aug 24, 2011
4,172
19
California
Parrots
African Greg
2 cockatiels
The key is to find a breeder you can trust, talk to them on the phone, ask for references you can call, or by finding someone who can recommend a breeder. You said you have a breeder near you? And that they only sell Blue and gold macaws? why don't you call the up and ask if they have any recommendations.

When you said "patched macaw" I thought you meant a macaw with various colors on the back, like a patch lol. So you actually meant a hybrid?
 

goalerjones

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2011
1,402
46
Parrots
Hahn's macaw, RIP George, Jenday Conure
I think you can trade a llama for one...
 
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Urgula

Member
Jul 21, 2013
67
1
Montreal, Canada
Parrots
Barankin (2006 - 2013)- peachface lovebird
Tihan - Yellow naped amazon (6+ years)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
When you said "patched macaw" I thought you meant a macaw with various colors on the back, like a patch lol. So you actually meant a hybrid?

I actially don't know if arlequins and other multicolor macaws are hybrids or an actiall 'race' like 'blue and gold'.
I want one that's yellow and orange, etc.

Still... did anyone lost their money while trying to get a bird?
Is there any 'blacklists'?


I think you can trade a llama for one...

I don't have a llama :(
Do you think they will accept the monster that's hiding under my bed? :D
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
There are arlequins, shamrock, harleygold, catalinas, etc. I guess they're hybrids?

...

I heard some people get their pets from other countries by airplain, so if I buy it like that, how I make sure everything is ok?

By the way, the site I've posted is definitly a fraud. It takes you directly to paypal without even completing a form where provide an address.

All those macaws you listed are hybrids, yes.

You will need an export permit, you will also need a health certificate.

No, that site is NOT fraud. My best friend bought 3 birds from them. 1 Blue Throated Macaw, and 2 Galahs. And the link you gave does NOT automatically go to PayPal either, it shows you what birds are available and then you have the option of either putting down a deposit, paying in full without shipping or paying in full WITH shipping via PayPal. And you don't need a form. You must be PayPal confirmed, meaning your address will be provided via PayPal payment. :) For what it's worth, he also accepts OTHER means of payments.
 

Momto3boys

New member
Mar 30, 2012
11
0
Parrots
B&G Macaw, TAG, DYH Amazon, Senegal
Urgula, just google "Canadian Macaw breeders" or you can check on Kijiji.

Im just going to put this out there but are you ready for a macaw? Did you do your research? Im guessing not since you didn't even know that the macaw you are looking for is a hybrid and not a "patched" macaw.

I would start reasearching like crazy. Talk to as many people as you can, find a breeder, establish a good relationship with that breeder. Start buying supplies, have everything ready long before bringing the new baby home.

Be patient ;)
 

merlinsmom13

Active member
Jul 27, 2010
1,445
1
Beckley, WV
Parrots
Merlin a Red Crowned Amazon
I remember a story about a private rescue that had tons of adult macaws. The lady who ran it had a terminal disease & was worried about what would happen to her rescues if she didn't survive. Think about a rescue, an older bird would be thru those 'teenage' hormones & probably be a better bet for a 1st time bird owner. The rescue could also give a good idea of the temperament of your adopted bird. A lot of times they are just there because people didn't realize the scope of buying a baby bird & couldn't handle it.
 
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Urgula

Member
Jul 21, 2013
67
1
Montreal, Canada
Parrots
Barankin (2006 - 2013)- peachface lovebird
Tihan - Yellow naped amazon (6+ years)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Urgula, just google "Canadian Macaw breeders" or you can check on Kijiji.

Already tried that. Most of them will sell an adult macaw, for which I'm definitly not ready.
The only babys I saw are blue and gold, a
Babys bond better and it's easier to not train them bad behaviours rather correcting them.
I don't think I can ged rid of bad behaviour that someone else teached a parrot if he's older than 1 year.

Im just going to put this out there but are you ready for a macaw? Did you do your research? Im guessing not since you didn't even know that the macaw you are looking for is a hybrid and not a "patched" macaw.

yes and no, I was not sure that the 'patched' macaws was considered a race or a hybrid, since many of them has their own names (arlequin, catalina, etc) distinguished by colouring. I do realise those are bread by taking 'real races' and mixing them, but I was not sure how do u call it in english (I'm Russian).
And patched sounds more fun :D

I have birds since I'm 14, I'm 26 now. I had quaquers, lovebirds and my most large bird is an amazon.
I do realise a large bird is not a puppy and that it's pretty much like have a 5 years old, who has teenager hormones.

I'm not rushing, it actially depends on my amazon Tihan.
While he's with me, he does not care about anything. He just sits. It's the same behaviour with all the people.
He will come just for food and talk for 5 minutes if in the kitchen or when I come home.
Otherwise, he will sit in the cage. If I take him, he'll try to walk away. Trying to teach him to spin is just a fail.
The most I got him to turn is 90 degrees. He will just ignore.

The rest of the day/night he sleeps. No, he's not sick. I spent like $1000 on his med tests. He's completely healthy.
Sometimes he will chew a man shift that I gave him. He does not play with other toys.
The rest of the day he's just bored. He's a smart parrot, it's just lack of motivation.

I got Tihan to a Halloween party recently and he ignored everybody but 1 of my collegues.
Tihan wanted to step up on Alex and was talking to him non stop and cuddling and giving him kisses (with no command) and he never bitten him (he tried with other people tho...)

I will bring Tihan to work and will see if the same behaviour repeats.
If Tihan still loves Alex, I'm considering giving Alex the bird for one week and see how it goes.

If Tihan likes me, but love Alex, I don't think I should keep him.

I don't want to 'get rid' of Tihan or get a 'more fun parrot because this one is boring', I just want him to live a happy life, which is not the case with me.
With me he's "okay", with Alex it's just a different parrot. He's happy, cuddly and exited.

I would not consider getting another bird otherwise, since I do not have the space for medium and large birds at the same time.
I live with my family and we have a day care, so the only spot where I can have birds is in my room.


However, this is more a 6 months 'project' where I will see what I will do.
I know that searching for a breeder is the last thing to do when u get a baby, but I have my own logic I guess :p
 
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Urgula

Member
Jul 21, 2013
67
1
Montreal, Canada
Parrots
Barankin (2006 - 2013)- peachface lovebird
Tihan - Yellow naped amazon (6+ years)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Thank you! I'm saving the link.
Did you get them in person or they were shipped?
 

jery1234

New member
Mar 3, 2013
19
1
I got one mac and lsc cockatoo from them .I got them in person as its not that far from where I live . http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.milkwoodaviaries.com%2F&ei=gRN3UpXFDOqY2AXVgIHABA&usg=AFQjCNHEtH1Lc-Q6-2sdg0YuZfSYTiqzmw&sig2=odc0FUtSd3SrtL2EuMN8qg&bvm=bv.55819444,d.b2I This is where I got my second mac, also in person. Both breeders care for the birds very much. And they will not sell a bird unless it is fully weaned.
 

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