I need some help please...

[AnnBrown]

I originally posted that I was planning on getting a Quaker, still not dead set against a quaker. But I'm just not sure and do not want to make a horrible mistake! What ever bird I get will have a home for life. But I want it to be a good life for us and the bird.

I grew up with small birds, Cockateils ect. I also have experience with large birds. I have managed pet stores and been a long term foster for M2s, Amazons, Goffins ect.

My husband does not have a lot of experience, he did not grow up with birds like I did but has helped out with some of the fosters. He will not be a big part of the birds life sense he his job keeps him away for work for 20 days and home for 10.

We also have two little boys ages 6 and 7, they have been well educated on behavior around birds small and large. They have handled M2s and Amazons also the have on several occasions held quakers and cockateils.

I'm torn though, I love Cockatoos and I mean LOVE but my husband is not a fan of all the noise. lets be honest he can not handle a two year old with a fog horn running around the house. That said his personal favorite foster was a Goffins that we had for several months...
I want a bird that can be part of the family, I would profer a bird that can be held by anyone in the house and that can join us on family outings. I know a lot of that is based on how well the bird is socialized but I also know different birds have different tendencies. I like a bird I can cuddle and pet. My budget is very flexible and I have the room for a large cage and play stand. I know no one can tell me what bird would be "perfect" But I need some advice. I'm not looking for perfection, just the best fit possible. please share your experience, what dont be afraid to share the good the bad and the ugly! LOL I need honesty please.

 

[chris-md]

Blue throated macaw or red fronted macaw!

 

[Dinosrawr]

I second Chris' opinion - but I'm bias because they're both dream macaws of mine because of the exact reasons you listed [emoji16]

 

[JerseyWendy]

Yup, I also love Chris' suggestions! Both of those macs would make mighty fine choices.

And if you looooove cockatoos, give Galahs a thought, too.

I'm glad to see you are doing extensive homework before bringing your new baby home, too.

 

[chris-md]

And it's good you've had the opportunity to play with so many already

 

[AnnBrown]

I love the idea of a Macaw but we are in a rental right now and my landlord specifically said "no really big birds" I showed her pics of Amazons and Goffin Cockatoos and she ok'd that... LOL dont think she would like to walk into a huge Macaw!
I spoke to a breeder today that breeds Blue Front Amazons and Goffin Cockatoos and she said really either will fit our needs but that she would not have any Goffins until the spring. I also spoke to our avian vet ( i went in and met all the local avian vets in our area and chose one to be our "family" vet so when we bring home our baby the relationship is already established) and after asking a lot of questions she recommended a Goffin.... still not sure hubby will be ok with the noise but I think if I play really loud music all the time before we get the bird, the bird wont seem so noisy

 

[chris-md]

Red fronted arent as big as you think. Here's a fantastic photo for comparison

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d5/f5/ee/d5f5ee107979b2cdb5a19161b6db4074.jpg

 

[AnnBrown]

ok thank you I will check that out.

 

[AnnBrown]

Thats a cool new one that I had not looked into before. I have always heard that Macaws were one person type birds though? Do you find that that is more of a socialization problem or a personality trait.

 

[chris-md]

Mark, wanna take this one?

 

[RavensGryf]

Mark, wanna take this one?

Even though Mark is an experienced and popular forum member, we have to remember there are others with Mac experience also. Mark can use a break . Anyone else, feel free to answer as well! (that's not to say Mark can't chime in LOL).

 

[chris-md]

Of course Julie, I was only [mostly] joking this just seems to be one of Marks favorite topic.s to address.

 

[itchyfeet]

Lol Ann I've never had a chance to hold a macaw myself, only seen a few over here! But I bet my bottom dollar they're going to say it's a socialisation thing.

I desperately want an African grey. I've always loved IRN's. Husband knows I desperately want an AG. He's not super comfortable with larger parrots. It also happened that an IRN came up for adoption that I clicked with, so he moved in It's satisfied my parrot 'need', and husband, in the meantime, has become far more confident with parrots. When we build, one day, (we own now but it's a small home), hubby is my biggest support in adding an AG. Henry will always be adored, and always have a home for life. It's so much easier for him to go from IRN to AG then from nothing to AG. And I will, within a few years, have both of my favourite parrots

MBS - it's a thing. You can play it in your favour

 

[itchyfeet]

I love the idea of a Macaw but we are in a rental right now and my landlord specifically said "no really big birds"

A mini macaw??

(Hahns or what not??)

 

[Dinosrawr]

RFM's and BTM's are both relatively small on the macaw scale. Plus they're an absolute hoot - if they've been socialized properly, they'll have no problem soaking up the love from everyone around them. Just imagine a very outgoing toddler who's a love sponge and that's essentially what you'll get from those guys. The more you love them, socialize them, reward them, and learn them, the better off you and the bird are. I'd say the only down side is both of those species are very mechanically inclined, haha!

I think Goffins are great, but I'm always wary of white cockatoos just because of their incredible emotional needs. Galah cockatoos seem to be the best suited for a "domesticated" life, and the white/large cockatoos do best in very busy environments with individuals who can dedicate basically all day to them.

It's also a personality thing, but I can't say I've heard of many RFM's or BTM's who aren't cuddly, loving, and all about being a mushy little pool of feathers.

... can you tell I'm bias? [emoji23]

 

[Scott]

...and Goffin Cockatoos and she said really either will fit our needs but that she would not have any Goffins until the spring. I also spoke to our avian vet ( i went in and met all the local avian vets in our area and chose one to be our "family" vet so when we bring home our baby the relationship is already established) and after asking a lot of questions she recommended a Goffin.... still not sure hubby will be ok with the noise but I think if I play really loud music all the time before we get the bird, the bird wont seem so noisy

Consider me a bit biased in favor of Goffins! I have a family of 5 (parents + 3 handfed offspring) and am closely connected to their individual personalities. Despite their stature as the smallest of cockatoos, they have outsized personas and are easy to live with. They've proven to be very hardy healthwise, and seem less neurotic than other toos. Goffins seem to balance their craving for human interaction with solitary or group time.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Ann, even though I don't have any cockatoo experience (as in 'being owned by one'), I believe a Goffin would make a FANTASTIC addition to your family.

 

[Birdman666]

Redfronts are the smallest of the large macaws, and blue throats aren't much larger than that. I have a greenwing and a redfront. A red front is about 1/3 the size of my greenwing...

Here is a photo of her sitting in a tree next to my CAG for an idea of size. Now, mind you my CAG is one of the bigger ones, but still, a red front is NOT super intimidating size wise.



As for personalities, they are both pretty similar. I'll verify that Wendy's write up about them is accurate. They're HUGE personality birds, and when properly socialized, love everyone, interact with everyone, and go to everyone...

Red-Front

I've had mine for almost 13 years now, got her just off hand feeding.

And here's the write up about blue throats, though they are harder to come by and more expensive these days:

http://www.wendysparrots.com/html/blue_throated.html

Take a look at some of Karen's posts if you want to see what blue throats are like, but I WARN YOU, you may fall in love with these birds...

If you're going to go the Too route, in addition to the G2's, the best of the too family in my opinion are the RB2'S (GALAH) as someone else mentioned. So you might want to look at those as well. They're fantastic little birds.

 

[Birdman666]

RFM's and BTM's are both relatively small on the macaw scale. Plus they're an absolute hoot - if they've been socialized properly, they'll have no problem soaking up the love from everyone around them. Just imagine a very outgoing toddler who's a love sponge and that's essentially what you'll get from those guys. The more you love them, socialize them, reward them, and learn them, the better off you and the bird are. I'd say the only down side is both of those species are very mechanically inclined, haha!

It's also a personality thing, but I can't say I've heard of many RFM's or BTM's who aren't cuddly, loving, and all about being a mushy little pool of feathers.

... can you tell I'm bias? [emoji23]

I know of exactly one, but that one was a rescue, and was very badly abused by her former owner, and has now shunned all things human... not without cause.

BTM's and RFM's pop out of the egg playful and mushy. As long as nobody ruins them, they stay that way.

As for the mechanical side, that's no lie... these birds have been known to disassemble entire cages. (Mine took the door to her cage off one day, and has disassembled treat cup doors on multiple occasions. They also disconnect quick links, and disassemble toys. Mine has also disassembled ENTIRE PLAYSTANDS. AS IN CRASH! BOOM! SQUAWK... [Shocked bird look] Dad, I don't know what happened. It just exploded!)

 

[Birdman666]

Thats a cool new one that I had not looked into before. I have always heard that Macaws were one person type birds though? Do you find that that is more of a socialization problem or a personality trait.

Macaws are pair bond birds. As are conures, and amazons, and pionus, and half a dozen other birds. In the wild they pair up and they mate for life. In captivity they tend to transfer that affection to a favored person.

ALL pair bond birds if allowed to overbond will generally overbond... then you have "one person bird" problems. ESPECIALLY if that bird happens to be a Severe...

HOWEVER, if socialized around people, and worked with so they will go to strangers, they will.

Strangers come up to my greenwing and scratch her head all the time.

Strangers can walk up to my red front and beak wrestle with her...

This is one of her baby pictures, with my daughter who was somewhere around 7 years old at the time:



So, yeah, personality wise... they're pretty great birds!