Info on different species??

[DannyA93]

So i want to get a macaw someday when i have more experience and i was just wondering whats the difference between the different species of macaws?? like how is blue and gold different from scarlet greenwing military? and which one do you think would be best i love to cuddle(i no sounds girly haha) but i do and i want to have a best friend to cuddle with im getting a sun conure real soon so ill be getting that experience.

 

[Enjru]

A macaw really is a H-----U-----G-----E responsibility that you should think about properly for a long time, then think about some more, before you go ahead and get one.

I love my scarlet macaw, Chilli, but she takes about 5 times as much physical energy to look after, not to mention mental energy and financial costings, compared to each of my Double Yellow Headed Amazons.

Chilli's poop is about 10 x the amount of poop that each of my DYHA's makes.

Chilli takes her food to eat in front of her food bowl, so her water is dirty within 5 seconds of me changing it.

When you see how big a macaw's beak is, you really need to understand they CAN use that beak to create a lot of damage if they want to. If Chilli WANTS to, she can destroy a macaw-sized toy within an hour of me hanging it up, whereas if the Amazons want to destroy an Amazon-sized toy, they will generally still take approximately one or two days to destroy it completely. So, I now think of buying toys for Chilli in the same way that I think about buying pellets or fruits and vegetables for her...they are a weekly expense that you need to consider as a regular item in your budget. A large range of toys is also unsuitable for Chilli, even though they are macaw-sized, because Chilli knows how to undo the quick-links, and has the strength to lift them out of the quick-links and throw them to the ground. So, a lot of acrylic toys would be broken this way. Of course, if you have time and are handy, you can think about how to make DIY toys for your future macaw.

I have had to build a HUGE outdoor aviary for Chilli so that she can have room to fly and play during the day. Her beak and claws and outstretched wings are not really compatible with the expensive antique furniture and Ming vases, etc, that are inside the house.

The Double Yellow Headed Amazons are not cheap to look after, either, but Chilli......PHEW! You really need to be quite financially solid and secure, I think.

Chilli has a V-----E-----R-----Y L-----O-----U-----D scream. She also has separation anxiety, so if I do not use behavioural techniques to prevent and address this screaming, she can scream at an E-----A-----R S-----P-----L-----I-----T-----T-----I-----N-----G volume (meant to be projected for many kilometres in each direction in her native habitat) non-stop for 2 hours. This was a HUGE problem for me not long after I first got her, and I was seriously thinking about rehoming her in the time that she was escalating this behaviour while I was trying to not re-inforce it.

Also, have a think about how you would cope with a macaw if it doesn't get along with your existing birds. I have to be present 100% of the time when any of the birds are out of their cages, even if only one of them is out, because Chilli's beak can do a LOT of damage even THROUGH the cage bars.

On the positive side, Chilli is EXTREMELY intelligent and you can see her eyes pinning and know she is thinking things through inside her brain whenever she encounters any situation. She LOVES to snuggle up on my shoulder (which I acturally am trying to avoid), and is obvously overjoyed whenever I come home (I think she knows when my car comes into the garage or when I close the car door). She is also GORGEOUSLY coloured, especially when she is in flight. She is very quick to learn tricks, and is very eager to do trick-training.

Hope this has given you some idea of ONE scarlet macaw.

Cheers,
Enjru

 

[DannyA93]

O ya i definatly will do ALOT of thinking before i consider buying one i hear all the time that they r a huge commitment so if i get one ill probly not have any other birds! ill wait till later i just wanted to know so when the time comes ill have a general idea.

 

[Safira]

A good way to get some experiance, and learn more about macaws and larger parrots is to volunteer at a local bird rescue. They often have macaws and cockatoos. Not only will you be able to interact with them and see the level of care they need, you'll also hear just how loud they can be.

I try not to cuddle my Macaw too much, I have dogs if I want to snuggle and pet. I want her to be independant and not rely on me for attention whenever she's out of her cage. That being said I spent an hour last night on the couch, she was on my knee while I preened her pin feathers. I don't consider that cuddling though, more just bonding time. I NEVER let her on my shoulder. Its not a dominance thing, it's a "i don't want a beak that big near my ear and face" thing. This also means that she doesn't immediatly try to crawl up there everytime I pick her up though, so its a winning situation.

I'm hoping to start working with her, and teaching her some tricks soon. She's still very young (8 months) and I'm letting her mature in her own time.

 

[skylavaulter]

We have a catalina macaw (hybrid between a blue and gold and a scarlet). Catalinas are known for being the best of both worlds. You get the spunkiness of the scarlet and the sweetness of the blue and gold. Our macaw is EXTREMELY cuddly and flies from his cage to our bed every morning to wake us up and snuggle on his back between us. However, he also has his off moments where he doesn't want to interact, and he has bitten a few times (about 5) when he was agitated about something (like going into his cage for the night). Every macaw is different so relying solely on the specific species isn't going to guarantee that your macaw will be a certain way. All macaws have personalities that are capable of being allusive, overbearing, silly, mischievous, and grumpy at times. They really are a lot like humans in the fact that they have distinct moods. You can't force a macaw to "be happy" or to cuddle if he doesn't feel like it. Our macaw calls the shots on cuddle time. When he's up for it, we totally take advantage of it. But we follow his lead.

 

[JJones1719]

Hello, Thank you for doing your homework upfront before thinking about getting a Macaw.
If the Macaw is what you are interested in, there are many to choose from. You stated that your looking for a cuddle bug. This cannot be more true when looking into the Green Wing or HY Macaw. They are the top of the price tag for Macaws but you get what you pay for. They are truely the gentle giants in the macaw world and form great bonds with their owners. They demand your attn and time. Most Macaws end up being a one person bird so keep this in mind.
Macaws need and thrive on out of the cage time with you, they love to play and chew on everything, so everything in your home is fair game.
they're very smart and learn very fast. My Green Wing is a great talker and I would put him up to any African gray.
The macaw also are known for picking their locks on their cages and getting out. At 7 months old, my GW Neleno was able to get out of his King Cage with ease.
Please also keep in mind, the bigger the bird, the bigger the mess. Macaws love to chew on wood toys and will go through a wood toys in days to weeks so this can be expensive.
Vet bill too become expensive for Macaws. Make sure that you check your area for an Aviary Vet only, your normal Vet does not have the training or know how when it comes to exotic birds.
Please ask as many questions as you can think of as this is truely the only way to educate yourself prior to bringing home a Macaw. Best of luck to you on what you decide. Joe

 

[DannyA93]

Thank all of you for the replies i think wen im ready for a macaw i mite get a greenwing? that hyacinth beak looks more intimidating! haha and i will trust me im getting a brand new sun conure this summer and i did research like crazy for the past 5 months before deciding on it! so a macaw will be a HUGE commitment thanks again

 

[KBEquine]

Danny -- my cousin - who is the relative who had parrots before I did - has a B&G macaw & a sun conure. They get along fine (but from across the room from each other). I have a new-to-me greenwing who is 20 years old. Well-raised - kudos to the owners who raised him from a few weeks old until a few months ago when he came to live with me.

I already had other parrots, but the sheer size of the macaw, his beak - and the quantity of food he eats comes to mind as things to consider before getting a macaw.

But the GW cracks me up - he is sitting behind me right now, looking at the computer screen & looking very solemn.

But I just know if I step a little closer, he'll lunge, grab a button off my shirt, break it & then yell, "BUTTON MONSTER!"

My first birds were 'keets who I truly love. Then came a Pionus (who was a mini-amazon in many ways) & then an amazon & I called myself an "amazon person" in a tone of wonder (because until then, I'd thought I'd be a Grey or Eclectus person). We added a Grey (who loves my husband) & by then I was pretty confirmed that I was an amazon person, much as I enjoy my conversations with my husband's Grey.

Although the macaw makes me wonder if maybe I'm wrong about that (being an amazon person). The other day when I was carrying him to his 'night cage' to put him to bed, he laid his head on my shoulder (I was wearing a t-shirt so I knew he wasn't sneaking up on a button). He was like a child.

I think I am in love.

Only get a macaw if you can afford the cage (maybe buy it first), a ton of breakable/replacable toys & have maybe $1,000+ in savings in reserve at all times for a sudden vet bill. Because it will absolutely KILL you, if you adopt one, it relies on you, and you discover for any reason you cannot take care of it.

They are big, expensive & very lovable.

Best of luck to you.

 

[DannyA93]

Yes i hear stories like that all the time i just love parrots haha but i will definatley wait till i have a good job and can afford to buy new toys every week! they sound awesome i cant wait till i can get one of my own

 

[Luna]

Hi, the other owners have given realistic advice. Also consider your question can not be answered! The birds we commonly call macaws come fron three genera and very in size from smaller than amazons to the dimensionly largest parrot genera. My persoal choise was a green wing. My little girl will lay in my arma momemtarily after seven years. Do NOT expect a greenwing to cudable! But trustable and a great companion yes. D.D.

 

[Luna]

Hi, A second consideration. Macaw owners should consider toys, transportation cages and other accessories for large to vey large dogs. The cage for my girl in the car is for an 80lb dog and the manufacturer would sell a set of parrot acc's. This cage has been re-enfoced with steel door hinges, angle -iron and sheet metal over the years. D.D.

 

[DannyA93]

Yes i understand ever bird is different! and i will definatly not do it if i dnt have tha money or time ill let every1 no if wen i get one in tha future!!