Waiting for our baby Catalina

Hi

I'm new to this forum. Just put a deposite on a Catalina Macaw yesterday. A little nervous because I never owned a bird this size. Seems very gentle. Just hoping it won't bite.

Welcome to the forum. Yeah your probably going to get a bite or two. That's just part of having a large parrot. I'd read though some of the old post in the macaw section and see if you might have some questions.Loads of good info and helpful owners here.

Congrats on getting a new bird and welcome to the forums.

You must be very naive to think you wont get bit. ANY and EVERY bird will give a good bite at the very least once. Especially a baby growing up - they go through hormones and 'pushing boundaries' and they usually include a good nip or ten!

Good luck with your new baby, it's scary bringing a new bird home but I hope it goes smoothly!

Welcome to the forum. How super exciting about your Catalina!! Tell us a bit more about him/her. How old is he? Have you met him in person?

Big macs are a JOY to have in ones life. I compare it to permanently living with a 4 year old. :54:

I believe she or he is 9 weeks. Can't take it home for 3 weeks. The bird was extremely calm and let the entire family stroke her. She cuddled with all of us. We spent 2 hours with the bird. After reading some horror stories about biting I'm having second thoughts. Any insight would help from macaw owners. I have a 5 year old girl and a 12 year old and 16 old boy. I would be terrified if it bit any of us. Never had a bird like this. Only a Quaker and parakeet. Not sure I made the right decision. Everyone is telling me it will definitely bite so am unsure if lImant to do this

Hmm. I've had my Niko (Blue & Gold Macaw) for over 3 years. I brought him home when he was 4 months. We met when he was just a wee baby, but I visited him twice a week until he was fully weaned. He has bitten me twice. By biting I mean he's applied enough pressure to break the skin. I did NOT need medical attention. He LOVES to pinch, which sometimes leaves bruises. He is not mean in any way, shape or form, he's just ornery and full of himself.

Then I have Ripley, my GW Macaw. He is 2, and he's only been with me for 6 months. He's never bitten me, but he can get carried away and give a good pinch, too.

Considering the damage these guys "could" inflict, I won't ever say mine are biters. They can and will pinch me out of sheer mischief, nothing more.

Now my husband dropped Ripley the other day when he was holding him on his arm, and Ripley pinched him. Those beaks can be quite intimidating, especially if they open them and put them on your flesh. I had good "chat" with hubby about NOT dropping my bird, lol. Well, he hasn't picked him up since then.

IF you feel the slightest hesitation about bringing home a Catalina, I would recommend against it. All babies are sweet, soft and cuddly, but as they grow and mature, they WILL test their limits. Please, don't take offense, this is just my opinion.

Catalina said:

I believe she or he is 9 weeks. Can't take it home for 3 weeks. The bird was extremely calm and let the entire family stroke her. She cuddled with all of us. We spent 2 hours with the bird. After reading some horror stories about biting I'm having second thoughts. Any insight would help from macaw owners. I have a 5 year old girl and a 12 year old and 16 old boy. I would be terrified if it bit any of us. Never had a bird like this. Only a Quaker and parakeet. Not sure I made the right decision. Everyone is telling me it will definitely bite so am unsure if lImant to do this

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Are you planning on handfeeding it? If you can take it home in 3 weeks and its 9 weeks old.
It won't be weaned at 12 weeks old. Macaws don't weaned until 16weeks at the minimum.

Congrats!

And having parrots equals understanding that you will get bit. So yes, bites are expected. Should be expected.