African grey vs scarlet macaw

[Eagle123]

Hello, should I buy scarlet macaw or african grey. Im looking for a intelligent bird Who is social, can talk, good for free flight and like it to be as quit as posible. Who of The 2 birds will do best?

 

[ravvlet]

Macaws can be deafeningly loud. It depends on the individual as to how loud. I’ve lived with a timneh African grey and while they can be loud they mostly just like to make noise when they are excited, but it’s usually not uncomfortably loud.

Greys are prone to neurotic behavioral issues like plucking etc if they don’t have sufficient enrichment and neither greys nor macaws are good “first time” parrot species. Do you have any bird experience? Have you ever been around a screaming macaw or a plucked, anxious grey? Greys tend to also be nervous in new situations - Timneh seem to be less so than Congo but I think they tend to be harder to find. Macaws like to bluff with their beaks, and are massive birds that require a lot of space. While it would be a great disservice to describe any parrot species as a “beginner” species as they are all deserving of correct care, I think these two are particularly expensive and difficult.

If you can I would suggest finding a local parrot rescue and arranging a visit. Adopting an older parrot from a rescue would ensure you are more prepared (most rescues thoroughly vet and advise adoptees), the parrot likes you (you’ll be asked to visit and bond with a bird before you take it home), and often they already know how to talk.

 

[Eagle123]

Macaws can be deafeningly loud. It depends on the individual as to how loud. I’ve lived with a timneh African grey and while they can be loud they mostly just like to make noise when they are excited, but it’s usually not uncomfortably loud.

Greys are prone to neurotic behavioral issues like plucking etc if they don’t have sufficient enrichment and neither greys nor macaws are good “first time” parrot species. Do you have any bird experience? Have you ever been around a screaming macaw or a plucked, anxious grey? Greys tend to also be nervous in new situations - Timneh seem to be less so than Congo but I think they tend to be harder to find. Macaws like to bluff with their beaks, and are massive birds that require a lot of space. While it would be a great disservice to describe any parrot species as a “beginner” species as they are all deserving of correct care, I think these two are particularly expensive and difficult.

If you can I would suggest finding a local parrot rescue and arranging a visit. Adopting an older parrot from a rescue would ensure you are more prepared (most rescues thoroughly vet and advise adoptees), the parrot likes you (you’ll be asked to visit and bond with a bird before you take it home), and often they already know how to talk.

Thanks for det answer. I have kept birds in the birds but never bigger parrot. And yeah i know how they scream 😬

 

[wrench13]

Your needs:

• intelligent bird - all parrots are intelligent. Size does not matter.
• Who is social - this is up to you, socializing parrots is something the owner must take the effort to do.
• can talk - there is no guarantee ANY parrot will talk, some do some dont, it is not a species thing. Some budgies talk, some Greys never do.
• good for free flight - this is up to the owner to train very closely with the parrot. And train a lot before ANY free flight is attempted. It is very dangerous to attempt free flight if the bird is not well trained on recall, and if there are predator birds like hawks in the area. Think carefully before doing this
• quiet as possible - impossible, all parrots are loud. Macaws are very loud. Greys while maybe not AS loud can fixate on a single sound, like a microwave oven BEEP and repeat that for HOURS.

 

[Eagle123]

Your needs:

• intelligent bird - all parrots are intelligent. Size does not matter.
• Who is social - this is up to you, socializing parrots is something the owner must take the effort to do.
• can talk - there is no guarantee ANY parrot will talk, some do some dont, it is not a species thing. Some budgies talk, some Greys never do.
• good for free flight - this is up to the owner to train very closely with the parrot. And train a lot before ANY free flight is attempted. It is very dangerous to attempt free flight if the bird is not well trained on recall, and if there are predator birds like hawks in the area. Think carefully before doing this
• quiet as possible - impossible, all parrots are loud. Macaws are very loud. Greys while maybe not AS loud can fixate on a single sound, like a microwave oven BEEP and repeat that for HOURS.

Have heard that greys arent as skilled flight as other parrot, is this true?

 

[ravvlet]

Have heard that greys arent as skilled flight as other parrot, is this true?

All flying parrot species are “good fliers”. In the wild (African grey parrots are not particularly well studied as it is difficult to do so) they can fly up to 10km a day. They are ground feeders unlike arboreal species like amazons.

Like amazons however they have short tails and cobby bodies. Our timneh navigated an apartment just fine and always ended up where she meant to, but wasn’t as aerially graceful as a smaller parrot like a cockatiel or conure. However, I think generally it isn’t considered advisable to free fly smaller parrots as they are hugely at risk to predators.

 

[Henderbird]

I think either are great choices! However I personally think you would have to get to know the characteristics of each species and consider if your lifestyle fits into what those characteristics are.
For example, if you want a scarlet macaw: knowing they are quite loud but however you (hypothetically) living in an apartment or wanting a more quiet bird is not going to work with the birds natural traits.
Or if you want an African grey: You want a bird that has a higher chance at talking then an African grey is a fairy good choice since they are known to be great talkers. (Not all of them though)
So it really is just looking into what the bird is like, what your needs are, and then you see if it is a good match between what you need and what you’re going to have.
So that’s just what I think. Haha.
I agree with wrench13 though so that is a good place to start!

 

[Laurasea]

Hello, should I buy scarlet macaw or african grey. Im looking for a intelligent bird Who is social, can talk, good for free flight and like it to be as quit as posible. Who of The 2 birds will do best?

Well you aren't alone in wanting such a perfect parrot. But they don't exist.

My budgies make constant chitter/chirps noise from sun up to sunset down. I don't mind and can tune out, and I find their vocals enjoyable. But not every visitor or on the phone with person agree, some fund very annoying.

My quakers make a lot of noise abd are prone to screaming.

Intelligent and social means they constantly want to make noise , flock calls, alarm calls , and other as well as their non verbal. Because they are a flock creatures, and a prey species and communication is important. Especially tend to be loud early mornings, and increase during breeding season in many as call for mate and claim territory.

My friend has a screaming prone CAG . It's loud as a person screaming in your face at top volume. You can't ignore it, or even think in that racquet. Same when my go at it.

Because huge numbers of parrots are rehomed from. Every species because of screaming, or just not tolerance for non screaming but still loud vocalizations. Then you do want to be sure you can accept.

We often focus on the fun postive side of parrots , but all if us have to compromise, adjust, sacrifice to live with them.

 

[Laurasea]

If you are wanting free flight. It would be to line up a trainer first. Then find a breeder you like, who will be willing to start conditioning your chick to the harness before weaning. You will pay a higher price but well worth it. After weaning by abundance not rushed. Start working with your trainer as best result in free flight training seem to be with fledglings, young birds.

Even if you don't go free flight and want a harness trained burd its easier when young. Tho people have accomplished with adults

I'm no expert in this..that's just from reading

 

[Cottonoid]

Something I like to ask myself when i'm thinking about a new animal companion:

What does MY lifestyle and personality bring to the table for this animal?

In other words, what are the things you do that would be checked off a parrot's Perfect Human list?

This always helps me narrow down my possibilities, and sometimes means it's just not the right time or species for me, and that's ok.

 

[SailBoat]

Not being mean! But, your Wants and Parrots do not aline well at all. One of the greatest problems with Parrots not fitting a Humans Wants is that they are commonly sold or dumped.

There are truly excellent comments above!
A Parrot just may not be the correct Animal Companion for you!

 

[BirdyBee]

Not being mean! But, your Wants and Parrots do not aline well at all. One of the greatest problems with Parrots not fitting a Humans Wants is that they are commonly sold or dumped.

There are truly excellent comments above!
A Parrot just may not be the correct Animal Companion for you!

I totally agree with you.
1. Parrots are noisy.
2. Talking is never a grantee.
3. Not all parrots want to socialise.
4. Free flight is not meant for all birds.

If that is all you want in a parrot, it's best to not get one.

 

[𝕾𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖒𝖞𝕻𝖎𝖈𝖆]

You said you live in an apartment. African Greys and ANY type of Macaw is not a good choice. They will contact call, scream, and annoy the heck out of the other people in the apartment! I would really recommend a 'teil if you must have a bird right now. Unlike budgies, they don't chatter constantly (I can hear my budgies chattering from 100+ feet away!), and they are generally less 'wild'.

That being said, I don't think it's a good time to have ANY parrot. They're all loud, somewhat wild, and no parrot is guaranteed to do any of the things you want!

 

[Eagle123]

thanks for all the answers.

 

[Rozalka]

In general I agree with above

Intelligent - both are intelligent, but in general CAG more
social - I know only that CAG's are known to choose just one person and not tolerating others (of course it depends on the bird)
talk - CAG's have more chances but NO GUARANTEE
good for free flight - bigger parrots are better, so both but first - a lot of training
quiet - none of these two parrots are quiet

If you live in an apartment - none of large parrots suits you. All large parrots are very loud.

 

[Flboy]

One other consideration!
Old world vs New world parrots!
The grey‘s feathers are protected by dust/dander! Mac by oils!

 

[CraigH]

Never buy—always rescue.

 

[Rozalka]

Never buy—always rescue.

I disagree - it depends. Rescuers may be harder in keeping because of previous bad experiences.

 

[CraigH]

I disagree - it depends. Rescuers may be harder in keeping because of previous bad experiences.

Is this about us, or is it about the birds? Yes, rescues can come with challenges—challenges caused by people and their wish for selfish convenience. If we’re not here to do something about that, we’re perpetuating a culture that leads to more misery for these birds.

My CAG rescue was a hand-averse biter prone to loud, aggressive outbursts. Five years later he’s a gentle, nuzzly, comedian, and a reminder these wild birds were never meant to be our pets.

 

[Rozalka]

Is this about us, or is it about the birds? Yes, rescues can come with challenges—challenges caused by people and their wish for selfish convenience. If we’re not here to do something about that, we’re perpetuating a culture that leads to more misery for these birds.

Not all people want a rescue. Sure, it's better to rescue but some people prefer buying a young bird because it's easier to tame. On a Fb conure group we always were warning that such parrots may be be a bigger challenge. It''s better if somebody will buy a tamed bird and will take care of it instead of rescuing and rehoming again because it was too hard. Not all people are able to sacrifice the same amount of time, money etc.

Also note - some people are bird lovers but it's not indifferent for them how the bird will look like/what's the species. If somebody wants a rarer species, it is hard to find a rescue.