Experienced owners of Green Wing Macaws?

Hi all,

This is my first post here. We have recently lost our beloved RS male eclectus after 20 years and are considering adopting another parrot friend. We already have a wonderful African Grey Congo of 22 years of age. At first we set out to find another eclectus (still not certain if we’d prefer a male or female) but after visiting a local Parrot Rescue that had among other parrots two 20-some year old Green Wings - we have become interested in that species too. They are amazingly beautiful birds but since we’ve just begun researching some info, I’d like to hear from actual owners of these birds to find out more about their temperament, etc. Basically, I want to know what it is to live with these macaws. We know what to expect from a male ekkie, having lived with one for 20 years (their ups and their downs). So please, if anyone can shed some light and help us along with our decision, we’d very much appreciate it.

Hello and Welcome to the forum!

Deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved eclectus. I'm so sorry.

I'll let our experienced GW experts answer your species questions. Best of luck to you.

Hi there, and welcome to the forums.

Very sorry to hear you lost your RS Ekki. It's devastating to lose a beloved fid.

No expert here, just sharing what I've learned from living with my big macs.

GW Macaws can make exceptional companions! IME they require a loving yet firm hand. Many GWs become what we call 'mush' macs, meaning once they realize that cuddling is quite enjoyable, they can't get enough of it, and will happily lay in your lap - yes, like a lap dog.

The can openers firmly attached to their faces 'can' be quite destructive. :54: My own GW is determined to make toothpicks out of a 2X4 that I cut into chunks in record time this week. Not all are 'always' that destructive though. GWs can also bend and snap cage bars if they wanted to.

They can also be .... loud. :52:
(That's my Ripley you hear, and I'm in a different part of the house when this was recorded)

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uR0HLOYQug"]2013 01 30 PlayTime 002 - YouTube[/ame]

AND they 'can' be a bit messy....

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_1bf1tAAF4"]2013 01 30 Mac Mess 001 - YouTube[/ame]

BUT, they're worth the effort, and I could never imagine my life without him (or any of my other fids)

Just thought I'd play enabler here and add a few extra pictures of just how adorable those big, red birds can be.

Perfect shower companion


What?





Quite animated

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPSucJprstM"]Videos of Birds 010 - YouTube[/ame]

Snuggle time with my son

I am so very sorry for the loss of your ekkie! I've recently lost a red-sided myself.

I don't have macaws, so I experience them vicariously through our macaw owning members like Wendy, Tab, Mark and Karen. (To name a few.)

When well-socialized, they seem to make wonderful and cuddly pets... as Wendy's pics and videos already most eloquently attest. Lol!

Aside from the size difference, though, macaws differ from ekkies in terms of how swiftly they go through toys. They are voracious chewers, and go through wood like butter. (Okay. Maybe not quite like butter, but close enough.) So be prepared for that extra expense.

Good luck with your decision, and please keep us updated.

Anansi said:

I am so very sorry for the loss of your ekkie! I've recently lost a red-sided myself.

Click to expand...

So sorry for you too! How old was your ekkie? Was it a male or female? Are you considering getting another one?

I’m really still on the fence between a Mac and an ekkie.
I know they are two completely different types of companion birds so I need to dig in deeper, weigh the good and the bad for both.

This forum seems a pretty good place to get lots of helpful and honest feedback and guidance.

Cheers

junglenutcracker said:

So sorry for you too! How old was your ekkie? Was it a male or female? Are you considering getting another one?

I’m really still on the fence between a Mac and an ekkie.
I know they are two completely different types of companion birds so I need to dig in deeper, weigh the good and the bad for both.

This forum seems a pretty good place to get lots of helpful and honest feedback and guidance.

Cheers

Click to expand...

This forum really is a good place for all that. Definitely what drew me in!

My Bixby would have been two in July. He died back in February. We learned from the necropsy that he was born with PDD. We miss him dearly.

I have since gotten another ekkie. Solomon Island, this time. His name is Jolly, and he's only two months younger than what Bixby would have been. (And we share a birthday!) He's been a joy, and once Maya (my female SI) warms to him, I'm sure they'll be close friends.

Could you tell us more about your ekkie? What was his name? And your grey?

I definitely think you're doing the right thing researching thoroughly, first. Both make wonderful pets, but as you said they are really quite different.

Tough choice. Are there any questions in particular that you have about macs? There are quite a few mac experts on this forum who could help enormously. Wendy (JerseyWendy), who posted earlier, is definitely among the most knowledgeable. Feel free to ask away!

We have scheduled a visit to the parrot rescue place for a second time tomorrow to see how the GW we are interested in reacts. All we know for now is that he's about 24yrs of age and was apparently very bonded to the woman who used to have him. Not sure if this will affect its behavior over the long term or not. Really wonder how he will take to having new people in his life. At least he seems to be in pretty good health. We'll take our time and visit often and see how things develop.

Sounds like a solid plan! Hoping you'll find time to take some pics of him.

Best of luck tomorrow!

If he was a bonded bird, he will learn to bond again - in due time, and if given the chance.

In terms of diet - I’ve read that macaws need a diet with more fat content than other parrot’s. What is the staple of their diet? Is it mainly pellets with nuts, fruits and veggies as supplements? If pellets form the major part of their diet, what brand would you suggest?
We feed our Congo Harrison’s organic pellets for part of his diet.

Yes, nuts are important for big macs, IMO. Mine get a variety of unshelled nuts on a daily basis (walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, and pine nuts).

Harrisons is an excellent pellet!

Here is what I feed my guys:

I mix pellets under various Goldenfeast mixes.



These nuts are for my Macs




My homecooked stuff


And fresh fruits and veggies


Choy, Sugar Snap Peas, Red Peppers, Jalapenos, Carrot, Zucchini, Broccoli, Celery, Plum & Peach.

Please don't ask me the nutritional values, as I have absolutely NO clue. :32:

Ripley had a hard time just “watching”.

Thanks for all the info and the detailed pics!

I'm biased.

My greenwing happens to be the sweetest thing known to man.

GW macs are one of my very favorites...