Spilling some thoughts on macaws

Hi There! Im very new to this forum so I hope Im doing this all right haha! But I was just spending some time thinking today about macaws and I wanted to get some thoughts out there. So I definitely am planning on owning a macaw yes. I know it is going to happen. However the catch is that Im 15 so it wont be happening for a while but thats alright! Unless my parents do partial ownership with me, which would be weird because Im used to looking after all of my birds. Anyways when it comes to macaws, I've kind of narrowed it down to two specific species. The blue and gold and the green wing. From what I I've read about the species in general, blue and golds can be clowns and green wings are gentle. I know its all about the individual too! So even though Im leaning towards a green wing, if an individual blue and gold caught my heart, then that would be amazing too! I am kind of torn between purchasing a baby from a breeder I have gotten two of my kiddos from or keeping my eye out for a rescue. I love the experience of getting a new bird from a baby but I know it can be a bit rougher with a macaw. I just get nervous with a rescue that there could be some trauma or a preexisting condition or habit that I didn't know about. Rescues are appealing because theyve made it through that hormonal transition and they have a developed personality. It would be hard to find a rescue though...

I don't know. Just thinking about macaws today!

Greetings and welcome!

Rescues won’t always have trauma. Some of them are surrendered due to owner death, or owner moving...many things that have nothing to do with the bird itself.

Flip side: start with a baby, you’ll have to deal with PUBERTY, aka the beak. And macaws are highly reputed for being bullies to those who have no idea what they’re doing. Sound enticing?

Regardless of trauma, it’s always best to let the bird pick you. What does this mean? Visit a rescue or bird store and play with the birds. Some will naturally gravitate to you, others will stay away. The bonding process is always easiest when the bird picks you, rather than the other way around.

There are so many other wonderful species of macaws. I suspect you don’t realize it - likely it’s subconscious - but I’ll bet dollars to donuts that you ave gravitated towards these two species primarily because they are the biggest, and the prettiest. I can’t tell you how often people come to this far I’m asking about these two specifically for those reasons. “I want to own the biggest bird possible!” “I want to own a blue and gold for the longest time because they are so pretty!” What about redfeonted macaws, which are known for having one of the best temperaments of all macaws?

Most macaws are going to have very similar suites of behaviors, and it really does ultimately come down to more the individual than the species.

Please do keep in mind that the bigger the bird is, the more they are gonna cost. with these two parrots you’re looking at, you’re looking at a $3000 price tag just for the bird, maybe $2000 for the cage, and about $500 for up front vet costs.

Basically, $6000 just to get out the gate. And that’s a low end estimate. Start saving now!

Then there is probably a $100-$200 per month maintenance costs MINIMUM as far as food and ongoing toys. Why you have to keep in mind is that because generally love to shred wood, so you will be buying a constant monthly supply of shreddable toys. This monthly cost is untenable for a lot of people, especially going people who often only have $100-$200 left after bills are paid for gas/groceries/going out.


My point is, you’re doing a wonderful job in trying to research these birds well in advance of ownership, but I guarantee that the choice in birds you are looking at right now means you still have a whole lot more research to do before you actually settle on the appropriate bird for you when the time comes.

Best suggestion for you at this age: volunteer at a bird rescue to get some hands on experience with a variety of of birds. YOURE TOO YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED TO HAVE NARROWED DOWN A LIST OF POTENTIAL SUITABLE BIRDS. This decision is best made once you’ve settled down as an adult. If you rent or own a condo, macaws are absolutely out as an option. Volunteer now to get to know the birds better. Once you’ve settled down in 10-15 years, you’ll have a better idea of what best suits you.

A macaw.... at 15??

I was just like you when I was 15, my parents let me get a baby jenday conure that I loved and cared for for years. That is, until I had to go to college and had to rehome him because I simply had no time for him anymore. I was going away for a swimming scholarship and my dorm had NO pets allowed, not that I would have ANY time for him at all anyways. Only 5 years with me and he had another 25 to live, I just had no idea of how important thinking of the future was. Rehoming him sucked!!

I didn't even think about the possibility that I would move on, have a social life and friends, start dating, study abroad, traveled to different countries and states while in college, making it impossible to keep a parrot let alone a pet at all.

At 15, your life is just beginning to start! You are learning so much, getting more involved in school and soon you may go to college, get a career for sure, not to mention expanding your social life where you start seeing new people and spending time outside in the world, which leaves little to no time for a macaw.

Also a HUGE factor to think of -- COST! These birds are thousands of dollars to invest in, just the bird and cage alone in the first year, not to mention vet bills, a travel carrier, and constant new toys and of course a well rounded diet with fruits and veggies served daily, for 60 YEARS. At 15, you are much too young to make a commitment to such a long-lived and complex, intelligent animal that will depend on you every single day of its life to live a happy, healthy life.

Be sure to check out this thread for accurate costs per month for car -- The cost of owning parrots

This is why I never recommend getting a bird really of any kind until you 1. have your own income, 2. have your own home, 3. have your own transportation. It's so so important to have all these to be able to provide adequate care for a macaw, which will cost hundreds of dollars a months to keep happy with new toys and a healthy diet.

I highly recommend before going any further with macaw research, to watch this video.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA6QjVRBMh4"]A macaw [/ame]

Please reconsider getting a macaw until you are on your own completely from your parents, living in your own house (NO APARTMENTS FOR MACAWS) and have your own way of getting around to take him to vet appointments in cases of emergencies.

Just keep in mind that getting a macaw is like getting a 2 year old that lives for 60+ years and they do hit that hormonal stage around the age of 3 that makes them a lot harder to care for. They are a lot of work and need lots of attention. I know you are waiting to get one which is a good idea as it's probably best to know what you will be doing for a living and to see if your career gives you time to have a macaw. (My husband does shift work and if he was the only care taker for our macaw it would be very hard). They are challenging pets but they are also very rewarding. I have a blue and gold and he is indeed a clown, he makes me laugh all the time throughout the day. Another thing to keep in mind is that larger parrots can be very expensive, they need a lot of veggies among other things for their diet and they will chew $30 toys sometimes within days. I am not trying to deter you from getting a macaw but just want you to know they aren't easy pets for sure. I love my macaw so much and I do recommend one but I also recommend waiting till you are really ready for one.

Unless your parents plan on helping you with the macaw, I have to agree with itzjbean. You have to consider the unknown of where you will be after HS. If your parents are willing to keep the bird for you while you pursue life after high school (which it sounds like they might not), I wouldn't suggest a macaw this early. Plus if you go on vacation, who would you trust to watch the bird that isn't intimidated by them? These are intimidating birds and having a friend watch him could be a problem if they are intimidated by the beak. Are your parents willing to pay for vet boarding if you need to?

I'm in my 40s and the decision to get a B&G macaw was a family decision. Everyone had to be ok with it, plus knowing one of them is willing to take him when we (the parents) have passed.

I also agree that the bird should pick you. Less headache for both you and the bird if you like each other from the start.

I have been away from this board for quite some time. I am a 71 year old man with 3 macaws; a Scarlet-17, a B&G-37 and a Catalina hybrid-24 Never think that you cannot have a macaw because of financial concerns. Two of my three macaws I got for free and you can too. If you have an avian vet nearby or a good sized zoo, put a card with your info on it on their cork board explaining that you can give their macaw a good lasting home. I can also show you how to make some serious money with your bird, if it can safely be put on other people's arms.

Thank you all for the great replies! While I do understand that most typical 15 year olds would not be up to the challenge of owning a macaw, I feel my situation is a bit different! I do online schooling so time investment into high school isnt a problem. Im currently learning how to drive. I am a part time commission artist so I get paid 300-400 a month for murals and I will be pursuing a career in art. My parents already expressed that they would be willing to help me but I prefer to take care of my animals on my own but I have their help when I need it.