Choosing a Macaw? Opinions needed! Long lost.

LoveMyConlan · Jan 4, 2016

After years of dreaming, research, and interacting with some Macaws at the local exotics store, l finally started on plans to make my dream of owning a macaw a reality. We now own our own house, not a condo, and it's even got an extra room we have dubbed the eventual 'bird room'. Noise is no issue now that we have our own home, though quiet is welcome ha-ha. I know about their 'lunging' games, loud voices as they 'sing' through the day, and as I've worked around horses I'm not too intimadated by their size and games. We have no children and it's just me, my mother, my 4 Conures and 2 dogs.

These guys are big on personality and attention, and love to interact with their people, which is what I love. I have 3 Green Cheek and 1 Sun Conures, who are my world, but they would rather play on their jungle gym ha-ha. They want my attentions for a few minutes then want their gyms until they are tired and want to cuddle. I want something I can keep with me around the house and eventually go outside, clipped wings and harness, and hopefully later setting up an out door flight run. Obviously both would have their out times separate.

My problem is, while color doesn't particularly matter to me, I've heard different species are prone to be more aggressive. My dream is the Scarlet, has been since i was 8 and held one at a resort, but I heard they are the worst. I heard Green Wing and the Blue and Gold tend to be more laid back. I've gotten so much conflicting information. I know each is an individual and handling is key, but I would rather not have something that is naturally more inclined to bite my hand off.:red: :red1:

**In your experience, which species tends to be more laid back and friendly? What is the temper difference between male and female? How well, generally do each get along with other animals (ex: dog)? Which is generally more acceptable to people?**

Right now it's all in the works. I'm going to take my time finding a good breeder, and saving up for everything. I want a large cage, plenty of chewing toys and enrichment, a nice play gym, and get a full blood and body workup at the vet. I but so much organic fruit and veg for my Conures but the picky things pick and choose. I end up tossing a lot out. So I'm used to the birdy 'grocery' bill haha. My guys get pellets, Nutriberry balls, and fruit and veg daily. But boy oh boy do they live their homemade organic mush!

Like I said it's a work in progress. I've already figured to start up about $2000-$2500 for the bird, about $1500 for the cage, $800 for toys and chew and food, and about $1000 on the vet work up with blood work. I just want to make sure I'm looking on the right direction. I want the best spacing and good breeder. The expense is worth it!

Bandespresso · Jan 4, 2016

I worked with a scarlet who was an absolute hoot! The nippiness isn't a myth but it also isn't something that is too difficult to work with. I say, if a scarlet is your dream and you have the dedication to work with it (which you obviously do), then go for it!

My favorite macaw that I have worked with was a hy...those guys are absolute heart stealers but come with a super hefty price tag and have expensive upkeep. I also worked with a ruby who was great but prone to extreme aggressiveness but I think that was more his past than his scarlet half. Keep doing what you are doing...hopefully you can find a breeder near you who will let you interact with their birds so you can find the right fit!

Birdman666 · Jan 4, 2016

First of all, you have to deal with big macs on a 1 on 1 basis.

What you get with scarlets are "beakiness" issues. They are more prone to use their beaks to communicate. Which usually means pinchy if they are bite pressure trained, and downright bitey if they are not bite pressure trained.

This is also true of Buffons, and to a lesser extent, militaries.

Personally, I think greenwings are generally the bird people actually wanted when they thought they wanted a scarlet. They are very laid back and easygoing bird IF you raise them properly... (If you don't you can get dominance issues.)

Again, ANY large macaw is all about boundary setting, socializing, and bonding. ANY macaw that has no boundaries in place, who isn't properly socialized, are going to be difficult birds to work with. Even the "easy" species.

To me the five easiest macaws to handle and work with, are Hyacinths, Greenwings, Red Fronts, Blue & Golds, and Blue Throats. Those are the best "pet quality" birds in terms of general temperment.

Differences between male and female in terms of temperment are minimal, but my permanent residents are both female. I've worked with plenty of males as well. Doesn't really matter much.

But birds pick their people.

In terms of socializing them around dogs, most macaws do okay with it, but supervise the interaction. The bird can hurt the dog, and the dog can and may kill the bird. So, be careful with that one.
But a lot of big macs actually find dogs entertaining.

In terms of doing well around strangers? That's a function of training and socializing.
None of them usually come that way. You are over-riding their basic survival instincts by socializing them. People are natural predators, just as dogs are natural predators.
However, if they are around people from a young age, and the interaction is positive, they take to it, and generally love the attention.

Take a look at the training Steven gave his bird with strangers. Do that? It's usually never a problem.

riddick07 · Jan 4, 2016

I would adopt personally. Working at the shelter we have over 30 macaws a lot are adoptable just no one has shown up. Just had to say it

Scarlets are great but they test you (and I don't mean the typical macaw testing they have attitude

) and they are a bit beaky compared to some of the other macaws.

Greenwings are usually great but the only greenwings we have at the shelter are surprisingly psychos. BUT we only have two greenwings at the shelter so they rarely show up compared to the others. Plus, one is Jeannes greenwing lol So far after meeting a few they aren't my favorite but they are nice enough.

Blue and Golds...we have those in abundance since people won't stop over breeding the things. They are the majority of our macaws besides the hybrids. And we get calls about them pretty much every week to surrender not adopt. I like them they are fun and easy going.

All macaws in my opinion are equally easy to screw up...maybe the scarlet's a little more so just because they are naturally a little more beaky.

I don't think anyone can really tell you what is going to end up being everything you want it to be because birds grow up to be whatever they want to be even with the right socializing and environment. Some like socializing with a million people some don't even if they tolerate it well enough.

I agree that people may not want a scarlet when they say they do lol. They have so much attitude and generally aren't as easy going as the other macaws. I like the birds with attitude so I'm partial to all the problem children, so I do like the scarlets but I agree that they aren't for everyone! Every scarlet at the shelter personal birds and ones up for adoption are not by any means easy going. The one scarlet we take to expos and he does great but he isn't overly happy about interacting with all the people and only seems to behave so well because he's best friend a blue and gold goes along.

We also have a Ruby at the shelter and she is beyond crazy. So much hyper and psycho in one package! She isn't aggressive, but will bite, just so much crazy she can't contain it

Birdman666 · Jan 4, 2016

I had a ruby that was one of THE MOST challenging big macs I ever worked with. That bird was also a bit of a psycho.

Birdman666 · Jan 4, 2016

riddick07 said:
Greenwings are usually great but the only greenwings we have at the shelter are surprisingly psychos. BUT we only have two greenwings at the shelter so they rarely show up compared to the others. Plus, one is Jeannes greenwing lol So far after meeting a few they aren't my favorite but they are nice enough.

Well, the greenwings that get surrendered usually have dominance issues up the ying-yang, and no boundaries. "I screwed this bird up! Here, you take him. He scares me!"

That's the opposite of mush mac! Set the boundaries, and they generally fall back into line (at least with their person.) But that takes time and patience.

Any large macaw that figures out he can push his person around without consequences generally WILL develop dominance issues... when it's a bird as large as a GW or a Hy?! Watch out!

Again, Large Macaws will test. You have to pass the test.

LoveMyConlan · Jan 4, 2016

riddick07 said:
I would adopt personally. Working at the shelter we have over 30 macaws a lot are adoptable just no one has shown up. Just had to say it

Scarlets are great but they test you (and I don't mean the typical macaw testing they have attitude) and they are a bit beaky compared to some of the other macaws.

Greenwings are usually great but the only greenwings we have at the shelter are surprisingly psychos. BUT we only have two greenwings at the shelter so they rarely show up compared to the others. Plus, one is Jeannes greenwing lol So far after meeting a few they aren't my favorite but they are nice enough.

Blue and Golds...we have those in abundance since people won't stop over breeding the things. They are the majority of our macaws besides the hybrids. And we get calls about them pretty much every week to surrender not adopt. I like them they are fun and easy going.

All macaws in my opinion are equally easy to screw up...maybe the scarlet's a little more so just because they are naturally a little more beaky.

I've always been an advocate of Adopt don't Shop, but my biggest concern there is a lot of times you don't know the history. With something this big and powerful, I would be more wary of setting it off. I guess for me I would just like to start the bond and boundaries before they realize they are so big ha-ha.

My Conures are mouthy but I've pressure trained all but the pair, who just refuse to be friendly. Sadly they sirens most of their time behind bars. After months of trying to tame them, I've realized they are happier with walking out onto their own gym and being alone. Taking their eggs is going to be rough :/

I live near Pittsburgh PA and when I went looking for a Conure to adopt the local bird rescue didn't have any. So pet store it was. Finding breeders on my area for a macaw is going to be a challenge in itself. But I have time so I want to look into what's best so I know what I'm looking for later

riddick07 · Jan 4, 2016

Jeannes Greenwing isn't aggressive he has more of a twitchy psycho thing going on kind of like my cockatoo Folger. Lulu will sit with you but he is nervous the whole time pretty much. He used to be much better apparently but one day he just went twitchy scaredy cat. Loco the adoptable greenwing definitely was screwed up he is better since coming here but no one has the time to consistently socialize him like he needs.

We mostly get the we screwed this bird up you have him with the blue and golds lol. They are usually such characters and easy going but people have the ability to screw up even the best of them! The best is when you won't give an adopter the bird they want because it isn't a match or they can't handle the bird, so they give you then we will go else where! But a week later we get the call "help us I don't know what to do with this bird I got off craiglist"

LoveMyConlan · Jan 4, 2016

And thank you Bandespresso, Birdman666, and Riddick07 for the information

riddick07 · Jan 4, 2016

No problem

One day I will have enough money to go buy a blue yellow nape amazon baby....one day! That will be my last baby bird most likely

Birdman666 · Jan 4, 2016

riddick07 said:
No problem One day I will have enough money to go buy a blue yellow nape amazon baby....one day! That will be my last baby bird most likely

Rachel had one. She got it from Howard Voren...

Birdman666 · Jan 4, 2016

riddick07 said:
We mostly get the we screwed this bird up you have him with the blue and golds lol. They are usually such characters and easy going but people have the ability to screw up even the best of them! The best is when you won't give an adopter the bird they want because it isn't a match or they can't handle the bird, so they give you then we will go else where! But a week later we get the call "help us I don't know what to do with this bird I got off craiglist"

And the bird was ON Craigslist because some other idiot screwed him up...

We used to make them work with the bird, and demonstrate the ability to handle the bird... and when it was someone obvious that shouldn't have one - like that... I was not above asking them to step up the most dominant, evil big mac in the place... "MADE YOU JUMP!"

"Hhhhmmm... Maybe a macaw really isn't the bird I was looking for after all."

My Ruby was one of the prettiest birds you ever saw. She was also downright EVIL! Guess who I used to dissuade people who were not cut out for large macaw ownership.

She'd step up just as pretty as you please (for me!)

Okay, now you try it.... just like I showed you.

Yeah, well, it had to be done occasionally... don't judge me!

Birdman666 · Jan 4, 2016

LoveMyConlan said:
riddick07 said:

I've always been an advocate of Adopt don't Shop, but my biggest concern there is a lot of times you don't know the history. With something this big and powerful, I would be more wary of setting it off. I guess for me I would just like to start the bond and boundaries before they realize they are so big ha-ha.

Click to expand...

The vast majority of the time, what people tell you about the bird turns out to be significantly less than truthful. With rescue/rehome situations, you need to go and actually see and interact with the bird, actually handle him, and test him/her, and FIGURE OUT for yourself what his issues are, how much rehab you're gonna need to do, and whether or not the bird is friendly enough with you to let you work with them.

Once you've been around them awhile, you just kinda tend to know by looking at them, and seeing how they respond to certain things.

Any time I took on a Big Mac, I just figured I was going to be starting from scratch, re-training them MY WAY! WHAT EVER YOU DID BEFORE, THIS IS HOW WE DO THINGS HERE... And that's kinda how I always handled it.

With a baby bird, you will STILL go through the "boundary pushing" stage, and the initial hormonal stages. You will be doing all that basic training yourself.

When the boundary pushing stage comes, it's pretty easy. They push. The boundaries remain the same. "Time out. Don't like it, tough! Be nice!" Do that, they stop pushing. Give in? They push FOR MORE! What else can we get? You also go through the stage where they see if they can be the dominant bird in the house. "UMMMM.... NO!" Back them down once, they generally never do it again.

Then you get the hormonally challenged behaviors, usually in the 7-12ish range. The first few years, they don't really know how to handle it, but then after that they calm down. That can be the hardest years with a macaw.

With an older bird, they have already been through the hormonally challenged years. So, that's the very real trade off with getting an older bird.

LoveMyConlan · Jan 4, 2016

They can be a little intimidating when you first get close ha-ha. At the exotics shop they have a blue and gold, Cosmo, who paces a lot and lunges forward at you. Most people won't go near him, but I do like to stand near the cage as I talk to the bird near him, a funny African Gray.

When he's on the cage he looks evil, but once he's out hell take treats from your hands. He and I more or less just talk and share treats. The Green Wing I hold and scratch often

Of love to actually find a place near me I can go and just interact with a bunch of them to test out for myself what makes me comfortable and so I know more what I'm looking at. Plus it would be a confidence boost.

I'm not terrified of them to start, I approach the same way with a horse, confident and cool. But as I've never been bitten by a macaw(which I'm sure hurts like a bear) it would be a challenge. Horse bites I'm used to. Having a chunk ripped from my hand out a broken finger? Not looking forward to that. Hence the reason I wanted to start young and pressure train.

Birdman666 · Jan 4, 2016

LoveMyConlan said:
The Green Wing I hold and scratch often

Sounds like you answered your own question there...

LoveMyConlan · Jan 4, 2016

He belongs to the owner and is friendly with just about anyone. Merlin is her forever

both he and Cosmo are older. She got Merlin because someone ditched him due to plucking :/ she's sold all kinds of birds since I got my Connie from her last year. Scarlet, Military, Severe, and B&G. Her B&G was more men centered ha-ha.

I love the look is Catalina Macaws as well but I've never actually seen one or interacted with one. But with what everyone had been saying I'm definitely leaning more in the Green Wing direction.

Birdman666 · Jan 4, 2016

Catalinas tend to be very easygoing and forgiving as well...

I've played with lots of those.

Any macaw you properly socialize will usually tend to be a lap bird.

MosaicMadness · Jan 4, 2016

When we got our Red Fronted macaw as a baby, our youngest was 2 and they "grew up" together. He really was a fun bird, if I got him out of the cage, he was safe to go to anyone, I'd just help support their arm if it was a child so they didn't "flinch". He was NOT allowed on shoulders. He LOVED to fly and had a really good vocabulary, he was still picking up new words all the time. He would tall my oldest "WAKE UP!" quite appropriately too. RFM are very comical and fun birds, smaller than the other "big" macaws, but a great size. He was fine with the cats, other birds and our smaller dog... our big dog wasn't allowed in that part of the house 1) for escape issues with the front door dashing and 2) she would try and pull his tail feathers out through the cage bars... they were so colorful and enticing. They do have a rather loud/sharp call, but he wasn't obnoxious, just the typical contact calls/greet the day thing. I've been around other birds, but never lived with them. I think blue throat macaws are awesome, but I think you can only get them in-state now. Blue and golds would be my next choice... but it has to be something that intrigues YOU about the bird. I loved the RFM attitude, the head bobs, dancing, blushing and upside down antics. He was never aggressive, but did have his moods and definite favorite people (unfortunately, it wasn't me LOL) but even I could do what I needed to with him, he just only wanted loving from my oldest daughter (the one he'd yell at to wake up) or husband. Good luck on your decision.

kalypso123 · Jan 4, 2016

I really like Harlequin macaws. I played with one once. He was so beautiful. I also love military macaws. Im sure which ever one you choose will do very well in your care.

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