Nuts for 2 military macaws?

I am a new parent of two 6 year old "proven" military macaws recieved from a bird expo in orlando. They were breeder birds so they need to be trained, and I dont want to breed them and hand feed babies. They both eat nuts from my hand (or nuts I hold through the bars of the cage) and are not aggressive. I have done lots of research about macaw care, and I have a good idea of the time and patience required to care for these birds.

I know not to give them salted nuts, and I am going to order some nuts from nuts.com. Has anyone else ordered from them? Can anyone suggest a better site to order from? I have picked out walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, pecans, and possibly pistachios (raw or roasted?). Are these nuts ok for them?

Welcome, and congratulations! A pair of proven Macs will be an interesting challenge!

Nuts are best given in a natural state, unsalted and not roasted with oil. Your Macs are capable of opening from the shell, all the more fun and challenge.

Not familiar with nuts.com. Depending on your location, whole nuts may be available year-round.

If your specific question is nuts.com a good source for Parrot nuts? I would have to say: No! They are a mid to high-end nut seller for Human use.

You would be further ahead at our local grocery store looking for their raw or 'dry-roasted' nuts in a shell. Sadly, you are at the outer edge of the nut season (Holiday's). Some stores may still have some left, so nose around at your locate stores and chains.

Take care in providing raw or 'dry-roasted' peanuts in the shell. They like them to well and a few are okay, but more can turn into a health problem. I like your selection.


FYI: A proven pair of Six (6) year MAC's? I'm not a MAC expert, but six years old seems way to young for this pair to be a 'proven' pair! Or, the age is off by six years or more.

Steven, a quick google search shows militaries mature at 2-4 years sold so it is plausible.

I've heard of nuts.com but have never ordered from them. I suppose if you can't get nuts elsewhere it would be a good way to go, but I know I feel more comfortable selecting food stuffs myself at the store. If you have a Winco where you live, they sell bulk shelled nuts year round at affordable prices with many varieties unsalted and suitable for parrots! I think your selection is well rounded. Different nuts contain different important nutrients so a variety is good!

I also was thinking along the lines of Sailboat when I read your birds are only 6 and a "proven pair". Either you were lied to about their age and they are much older or they *maybe* had their first clutch right before you bought them. Macaws don't even generally hit puberty until age 4-6 y/o, much less successfully mate and produce viable young that young. In any case, it doesn't matter if there ever bred or not since you're only interested in them as pets (good choice). In time, I'm sure both will become much friendlier and nuts are a good way to bribe a parrot into liking you

chris-md said:

Steven, a quick google search shows militaries mature at 2-4 years sold so it is plausible.

Click to expand...

Yes I saw that also, but, it just seems so very young for a 'proven' pair! Which, if I recall from the days that Henpecked was around - proven was more than appropriate (capable) age. It had to do with more than three or four successful hatchings and not just laying. I recall discussion about Amazons being 12 to 14 years old before being classified as 'proven.'

It was the 'proven' statement that called a caution to my mind!

Thanks for the double-check!

If you're in the US... I have heard good things about California Gourmet Nuts! Good selection and fast shipping.