Possible mac

So, its a bit of a long story, so if you dont want to read it just look to the end. My dads friend recently bought his daughter a canary for her birthday. He of course is the one mostly taking care of it since she is only 5 i believe. However, this apparently got him thinking about getting a parrot, specifically a macaw. For as long as i have known him, he is NOT a person for a bird. Not even close. He is just thinking it will be a cool thing to get, and buying impulsively. Both me and my dad have tried to convince him otherwise, but he still thinks the same thing. He has zero bird experience, he just knows people who have had parrots. The most likely situation if he gets one is I end up with it. While i would looooove a macaw, it would be challenging at the moment. If i was given the bird, i would of course take it and give it the life it deserves, but i want to avoid the whole process if possible.

So, the main questions here, how can i convince somebody set of a macaw NOT to get one? And is he does end up with it, and eventually me, any tips on owning a macaw? Especially with a smaller bird in the house already. The whole thing is kind of bitter sweet, I've wanted a macaw for a while, and the biggest reason i can't have one is the money(mostly just the initial cost, not much bother for toys/food), and in this situation it would only be a few hundred for everything. However, currently i have a lot going on within my family and outside of it, and would put me under a lot of stress with the new macaw, Cooper, and everything else. Just to be clear though, i would make time for the macaw if all of this goes through, it would not be left alone because have no time.

When you take on a macaw you are taking on an animal that has the same care needs as a human toddler!!! THIS IS A FOUR HOUR A DAY JOB... and that's miniumum...

Are you willing to devote that kind of time to a bird, for it's 50+ year life expenctancy? If not, don't get one.

These are attention oriented, social creatures. A macaw that is left to fester in a cage will, most likely, become a problem bird in short order, which usually means tantrum throwing, screaming, and biting...

If that bird becomes a screamer, your neighbors will complain about the noise! (You will be at ground zero for that, which means your ears will be bleeding!)

And about that bite pressure: My greenwing can bite hardwood blocks in half... effortlessly. Do you know how to bite pressure train a bird that could conceivably bite hard enough to snap your arm like a twig?! Play up the big bad bird stuff... (even if it is misinformation.)

If not properly socialized, these are pair bond birds. They will pick a person, and that will be the only person who can get near them. Do you know how to properly socialize a bird?

If you couldn't handle the modest requirements of a quaker, what are you going to do when the large macaw tries to actually physically take over the house, and starts chasing people around the room?! YES THEY DO THAT! (Especially if you're dumb enough to run!) And will you be able to modify the bad behaviors before it gets out of hand? Can you handle one of these birds? Have you ever done it?

Cost of acquiring the bird is nothing compared to the cost of toys, and playstands, and large macaw cages, etc. There are a lot of hidden expenses with a big mac.

The average macaw gets re-homed for problem behaviors 3 to 5 times in his or her lifetime...

Take them to a rescue that has a few "unhappy macaws." Invite him to step one up... that, in and of itself, usually does it!

That's how you talk them out of getting one...

And for God Sakes don't show them any pictures of Zoe!!!

I agree with Birdman. Have them go volunteer at a rescue for a short while. Or have him VISIT a rescue. Make sure they show him their big screamers, the chronic pluckers, and the destroyed toys. Have someone on the staff show him their bite scars. Point out how his daughter would react to a bite like that.

Maybe that much will work.

Thanks for a quick response. I know and understand the basics of keeping a Mac, and know how much time and effort goes into it. I am also totally willing to put the time into it, I just don't want to have to go through the process of a family friend owning it, to then having to move it in with me, and at this time it would be a lot of stress on me to take care of it. Although that part would get better once a few things clear up. Good idea taking them to a rescue or to interact with them, seeing how they can be if proper care isn't taken. I'll keep trying to talk them out of it.

mrgoogls said:

Thanks for a quick response. I know and understand the basics of keeping a Mac, and know how much time and effort goes into it. I am also totally willing to put the time into it, I just don't want to have to go through the process of a family friend owning it, to then having to move it in with me, and at this time it would be a lot of stress on me to take care of it. Although that part would get better once a few things clear up. Good idea taking them to a rescue or to interact with them, seeing how they can be if proper care isn't taken. I'll keep trying to talk them out of it.

Click to expand...

I was giving you the extreme negatives...

Between you, me, and the four walls, I'd be lost without my lap birds!

BUT, guess what, I know how to train them, and have done the work to get them to where they are today. Mine are NOT neglected...

Go play with a few angry ones. See how easy it is... (Well, actually, if you know how, it's really not that hard, but don't tell him that!)

Let him play the "made you jump" game with a bird who isn't fooling around...

I totally get what you're saying, I'm already searching for a rescue or some opportunity for him to interact with some maybe not so happy to see him macs.