Blue and Gold vs. Scarlet Macaw

[Green4]

vs
Which in your opinion make a better pet. I know that each individual bird is different but which one do you prefer and why?
Which one has a track record for:
- being more nippy
- able to speak clearer
- learn faster
- less stubborn
- more social
Thanks guys!

 

[MacawGuy]

i have a scarlet..hes only 16 months. a lot of people say the scarlets are the most nippiest. but mine is not at all. he talk really clear n very smart. but my experience that i have i dont think its how much u spend with the bird and talk to it let it out training trust..is how they can be smart n talk. all birds are different. they really are. like i said my scarlet not much on nipping. smart talks really good. so day n can be nippy...some days he dont want to be touch. in all birds are like that. they are like us. so really its how the bird feels that day. maybe they dont want to learn that day to talk like some kids dont want to go to school. better chances is find a breeder in see how there parents are.

 

[JJones1719]

If you have your heart set on one of these spieces of Macaws. you have to make the choice here. Comparing a B&G to a Scarlet is comparing apples to oranges.

There is a lot to take in when purchasing any Macaw. you have to select one that best fits your lifestyle.

Scarlet are know as they mature to be a lot more nippy then the B&G. If the scarlet can learn at a very young age that this behavior issues is not excepted, then being nippy may not be an issue at all.
The B&G is known at a young age, they are complete cuddle bugs but as they mature, and depending on the season, sometimes it is better to leave them alone.

Just a FYI, Having a Macaw into your home requires a lot of time with these animals, they are not like Dogs and Cats that can very easy entertain themselves, sometimes they will demand your attn.

I believe it would be better if you tell us more about yourself, your living arrangements, your schedule. What will their new home be like. The more info you can give about yourself, the more info people on this site can give you to help you make the right choice for both you and the Macaw. Best of luck Joe

 

[Alwese]

I have both a Blue and Gold and a Scarlet and a hybrid cross between those two called a Catalina. Before I ever got my B&G and Scarlet I was at a bird mart with very young birds on a tray. The Scarlet babies were mixed in with the B&Gs and I remember even at that early age the Scarlets were pinchey and and B&Gs were not. I did not want to believe that there was a natural tendency for a Scarlet to be more aggressive, but I can see it is so. I tell people, having a Scarlet is like having a blonde wife; they are very pretty, but they have temperment issues you have to deal with. In my opinion, a B&G makes a better pet. I have also seen Scarlets that could be put on anybody's arm, but mine is not one of them. I normally go out with my Scarlet on my left shoulder and my B&G on my right arm because that is where they want to be. My B&G is very timid and cows down to Clifford the Scarlet. I cannot go out with Doogie my Catalina and Clifford as they both strive all the time to be Alpha male. My B&G is not especially smart. I tell people he rode the short bus to school. Both the Scarlet and the Catalina are extremely intelligent and powerful. All are males and all talk well. My B&G even has a British accent from his first owner. I have seen females macaws that have never talked, but that is not universally true.

 

[JJones1719]

I forgot to mention, perhaps you may want the best of both worlds, looks and cuddle bug, If this is the case, you may want to look up the Green Wing Macaw, Here you get the look of the Scarlet without the nipping and biting, the cuddle bug of the B&G. Green wings and Hy Macaws are truely in a league of their own. They are known as the gentle giants of the Macaw world.
They are very large birds but do not let the size put you off both HY and Green are the great danes and are more expensive then the Scarlet and B&G but you will get what you pay for here in these two choices. Again best of luck Joe

 

[008kenichijouji]

I tell people, having a Scarlet is like having a blonde wife; they are very pretty, but they have temperment issues you have to deal with.

Definitely lol'd at that one!!! Haha!

 

[WharfRat]

I'd have to say Green Wing as well......no bias (ok, maybe a little ), but on my breeder's advice and she nailed it, by far the most laid back and tamest of the bunch.

 

[Alwese]

I always considered the Greenwings to be the great thinkers. I find around here they are far more easier to find here than a Scarlet. Many people new to macaws confuse a Greenwing and a Scarlet. For those new to macaw identification: Greenwing - never any yellow on the wing. Only one with red ticking feathers on the face. Darker red, more like burgandy than the blood red of a Scarlet. Generally stockier and much heavier than other large macaws. Scarlet - "bald face" never any ticking feathers. Band of yellow feathers on the wing. Longest tailfeathers of the macaws and slimmer body than some.

 

[plax]

I always considered the Greenwings to be the great thinkers. I find around here they are far more easier to find here than a Scarlet. Many people new to macaws confuse a Greenwing and a Scarlet. For those new to macaw identification: Greenwing - never any yellow on the wing. Only one with red ticking feathers on the face. Darker red, more like burgandy than the blood red of a Scarlet. Generally stockier and much heavier than other large macaws. Scarlet - "bald face" never any ticking feathers. Band of yellow feathers on the wing. Longest tailfeathers of the macaws and slimmer body than some.

That all seems accurate with the exception that I have to dispute the "more like burgandy" part, based upon Salsa's red coloring. I've read that same description before and it just doesn't seem quite correct to me. At least as far as the red that starts at the base of Salsa's neck and extends up over and around his head to his white facial skin and to the nares area near his upper beak. And this also goes for all of the red on his front side (breast and lower abdomen, etc.). Salsa has the brightest, most vivid shade of red I've ever seen on a macaw. His red is so bright in fact that under the inside lighting here it actually hurts my eyes a bit to gaze at him directly - and I'm not kidding about that.

Photos and videos can't really convey the true vividness of Salsa's bright red coloring. Below is a link to a short video clip, though, of Salsa. It was shot at the beginning of this year when he was living with Terrie before she passed away. It's in avi format and the sun is shining on Salsa so you can better see his true coloring. While in this avi Salsa's red coloring appears closer to the way it really looks, the clip still doesn't express his red tones nearly as bright and vivid as they are in real life.

http://http://s91586483.onlinehome.us/birds/Ah_Oh!.avi

 

[tab_xo]

of course my opinion is for the blue and golds, not that im biased or anything haha

but my guy is super cuddly, and loves being scratched, but then can play independently as well and doesnt get upset if he has to be in his cage for a little bit.. he likes to see other people and will stand on their arms, just wont let others actually touch him yet. He is quite a good talker already, and is incredibly clever at learning tricks
But he is a big clown and loves to do silly things


and plax the video doesnt work for me

 

[WharfRat]

here's Rea (still pretty young) in the sunlight, Plax has a point about how bright they are. I'll try to get a shot of Rea in the sun outside.

 

[plax]

and plax the video doesnt work for me

Tab, try this:

[ame="http://youtu.be/76XhVSzheyw"]Playful Color Check - YouTube[/ame]

 

[tab_xo]

thanks plax!
wow he is such a bright red !

 

[JJones1719]

I would describe the difference between the Green and Scarlet just based on looks,
The first thing you should notice is the Green is much larger then the Scarlet. They do have war paint feathers on the face, The red coloration is much deeper, The band of green on the winges. Their beak too is much larger.
My Neleno tips the scale well over 1700 grams where the Scarlets are normally around 1000 to 1200 grams.

Their personality is very sweet, they are truely smart birds, they are the great thinkers. Neleno is always trying to figure out how to get out of his cage. I place puzzel toys with hidden treats in his cage and java tree and it seems as if he figures out how to get the treat out faster then it took me to put the treat into the toy.

Green Wings do demand your attn and even as much as i would like to take a break after a long day, he does not want to hear it, once I come home from work I am now on his schedule and boy does he let me know it. He will do just about everything he can to get me to pick him up and have Neleno and Joe time and once I do, then it time for me to pet him as he cuddles up to me, feathers on his body lifted so all the petting is felt on his skin. Can you say spoiled rotten.

I hope the best for you. Joe

 

[Aims]

I tell people, having a Scarlet is like having a blonde wife; they are very pretty, but they have temperment issues you have to deal with.

Definitely lol'd at that one!!! Haha!

My husband would definitely vouch for that. LOL...

 

[Aims]

I'd have to say Green Wing as well......no bias (ok, maybe a little ), but on my breeder's advice and she nailed it, by far the most laid back and tamest of the bunch.

Aw WharfRat, they are ADORABLE.