Macaws and biting

[DRB]

I own a CAG so I 'm just curious, what's it like to own a Macaw when it comes to biting? They are obviously gorgeous birds, personally too loud for me, but I think I would be terrified to own one because of those beaks.

 

[chris-md]

Look at mini macaw (hahns, noble, yellow collared, illigers, severe). All equal to or smaller than your CAG in size so the beak fear isn't an issue.

 

[Flboy]

Something to ponder!
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

 

[LordTriggs]

from what I can tell the massive birds like Macaws very rarely go for a full bite, they know they can do damage. It appears to be the mid-range which are among the worst for bites, although I'm sure a level of confidence in the owner comes down to it

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

I have a bitey Blue and Gold.

We are somewhat fearless when it comes to his beak or else we would not be able to handle him at all.
But when he nails you...

Our amazons telegraph when they are going to bite.
they give clear warning signs.

Max is different, he is very mischievous, its as if he bites just because he wants to see what your reaction will be.

 

[DRB]

I ask b/c I see so many videos of Macaws including Hyacinths that are so playful and cuddly, I could not see myself getting that friendly with a bird with such a weapon at its disposal.

 

[itzjbean]

I only have experience with smaller birds -- parakeets, cockatiels, conures -- but my dream bird is a macaw. I've never held one but always wanted to, I am also very intimdated by their sheer size and beaks, too. Not many macaws in Iowa, but it's a dream of mine. I'm sure once you get used to their size and demeanor and movements, you learn to anticipate their body language and moods. But until then, I will admire from afar! lol

 

[LordTriggs]

I ask b/c I see so many videos of Macaws including Hyacinths that are so playful and cuddly, I could not see myself getting that friendly with a bird with such a weapon at its disposal.

see I'm following with the same feeling of you of intimidation. But then I remember my mum owns a dog that's the same size as me! Now yes different psychology but he could easily do more damage to me than any bird if he wanted and I will play around with him without any fear

 

[itzjbean]

I ask b/c I see so many videos of Macaws including Hyacinths that are so playful and cuddly, I could not see myself getting that friendly with a bird with such a weapon at its disposal.

see I'm following with the same feeling of you of intimidation. But then I remember my mum owns a dog that's the same size as me! Now yes different psychology but he could easily do more damage to me than any bird if he wanted and I will play around with him without any fear

SAME with me! I have a nearly 100 lb. Doberman Pinscher and wrestle with him all the time, he's got a mouth full of teeth but I never think twice about him. lol

 

[LordTriggs]

I ask b/c I see so many videos of Macaws including Hyacinths that are so playful and cuddly, I could not see myself getting that friendly with a bird with such a weapon at its disposal.

see I'm following with the same feeling of you of intimidation. But then I remember my mum owns a dog that's the same size as me! Now yes different psychology but he could easily do more damage to me than any bird if he wanted and I will play around with him without any fear

SAME with me! I have a nearly 100 lb. Doberman Pinscher and wrestle with him all the time, he's got a mouth full of teeth but I never think twice about him. lol

Mine's a german shepherd although he looks more like a bear! He got weighed last week. 151LB! He got me once but realized straight away. Never have any qualms with wrestling with him

 

[DRB]

I ask b/c I see so many videos of Macaws including Hyacinths that are so playful and cuddly, I could not see myself getting that friendly with a bird with such a weapon at its disposal.

see I'm following with the same feeling of you of intimidation. But then I remember my mum owns a dog that's the same size as me! Now yes different psychology but he could easily do more damage to me than any bird if he wanted and I will play around with him without any fear

I tend to disagree with the dog analogy, I think it is easier to avoid that situation with a dog b/c of the level of intimacy relative to proximity. The only way to handle a bird is pretty much with them in your hands, while you can "handle" a dog by just putting your hands on them and there is more dog to put your hands on than there is bird. And IMO birds are quicker than dogs. And not to sound inhumane but if push comes to shove you could give a dog a little kick if it was going at you that hard that you had to fight it off, birds are too fragile to take any action against. You could give a dog a pretty good whack with you hand to get them to back down and the dog will physically be fine, I cannot imagine what would happen to Perjo if I smacked her. 25lbs+ compared to 440grams is what I'm trying to say I guess.

 

[LordTriggs]

I ask b/c I see so many videos of Macaws including Hyacinths that are so playful and cuddly, I could not see myself getting that friendly with a bird with such a weapon at its disposal.

see I'm following with the same feeling of you of intimidation. But then I remember my mum owns a dog that's the same size as me! Now yes different psychology but he could easily do more damage to me than any bird if he wanted and I will play around with him without any fear

I tend to disagree with the dog analogy, I think it is easier to avoid that situation with a dog b/c of the level of intimacy relative to proximity. The only way to handle a bird is pretty much with them in your hands, while you can "handle" a dog by just putting your hands on them and there is more dog to put your hands on than there is bird. And IMO birds are quicker than dogs. And not to sound inhumane but if push comes to shove you could give a dog a little kick if it was going at you that hard that you had to fight it off, birds are too fragile to take any action against. You could give a dog a pretty good whack with you hand to get them to back down and the dog will physically be fine, I cannot imagine what would happen to Perjo if I smacked her. 25lbs+ compared to 440grams is what I'm trying to say I guess.

Oh they are definitely different but like I say a dog has potential to harm a human far more easily yet we never think about it, even with stranger dogs. I think it's easier to restrain a bird than a dog due to their size. I do completely understand beak fear though. I think to get into the big birds you would need to interact with them and their handlers to figure out first-hand how to work with them. Main thing I have heard with the macaw bites is that wherever hit goes numb. Their beaks are more for crushing than piercing after all

 

[RisingSun]

With my minimal experience with Conures I consider Conures the cats of the parrot world. Every con I have ever met likes to cuddle and get scratches, but then turns around and lunges or bites randomly at you (Lucy my cockatiel does this as well). I'm sure there are very even tempered Conures out there somewhere. Meanwhile, my Eclectus practically refuses to bite me. I've had him for four years and he's never even tried, even in the most uncomfortable positions, like at the vets office. He is very docile and even tempered. If he doesn't like someone he lets them know from a mile away (gutteral squawk, lunging, flashing eyes, raised nape feathers; so you could easily avoid getting bitten by him for the most part.

But then I've also heard of people getting nasty bites from an Eclectus, possibly they weren't handled much, or just have a feistier personality, or circumstantial aggression, But it seems like they give more warning.

As long as I knew the bird enough to get to understand its body language, and they made an attempt to communicate with body language (as in not like my experience with Conures haha), I think I would be OK with a larger bird, like a hyacinth or Greenwing macaw.

 

[BeatriceC]

I have five birds ranging in size from a budgie to a macaw. To be honest, the macaw's bite is far less painful than the amazon or the goffins cockatoo. From my observation, a macaw bites with the flat part of her beak, while the smaller birds bite with the curved, pointed part. This makes the macaw's bite a crush injury and the smaller birds' bites puncture injuries. A crush injury of that size is comparatively less painful than a puncture injury.

 

[Scott]

I've had 3 macaws over the years and have never had a painful bite that punctured the skin. Plenty of pinches, and I am certain they understand the power of those beaks. A tame macaw is sufficiently intelligent to use the beak for intimidation and gentle reminders. Obviously an enraged macaw has the capacity to inflict serious damage.

 

[itzjbean]

I think the thing is too, larger birds tend to be, how to put it....PROUD! I imagine most birds as big as macaws like Buckbeak the Hippogriff from Harry Potter, you show respect and you earn it. Some dogs just love everyone... lol