Question for Macaw owners

[Abigal7]

What advise and info would you give anyone thinking of getting a Macaw someday ?

Did you have any city laws that restricted noise or barred big parrot in certain areas that you had to find a way to work around? Did you have neighbors (as a homeowner) that complained about your Macaws? Did you own any smaller parrots such as conures before you got any Macaws? What Macaw secies would you recommened for first time Macaw owners? Besides pellots, fruits, veggies and seeds is a macaws diet any different then other parrot species/ Perhaps they need big nuts that they have to crack?

 

[JerseyWendy]

In my state it's mandatory to register exotics with the Fish & Wildlife, which is $20 per year. Not per pet, but the license fee is $20.00

I've never had complaints from neighbors. I occasionally get asked whether I have small children, however, I have NO clue how my Macaw's screams can be mistaken for children. :54:

A Mac's diet is not much different than let's say that of an Amazon. Yes, nuts (in the shell) are a good idea (in moderation), as they love cracking them. Pellets, perhaps a mix of Goldenfeast, LOTS of fresh veggies, birdy bread, etc. Macaws do need a bit higher fat content in their diet as they are VERY active.

As for a first Macaw....hmm. How about a Greenwing? They are considered "Gentle Giants", and they are gorgeous as well.

 

[drew92]

i personally went with the greenwing for two (OK maybe more) reasons.
the first its the possible personality and the generalized attitude of the species. the main reason is that kenai picked me. plain and simple if the bird picks you then your hard to go wrong.

 

[triordan]

My Greenwing was my first bird~ I had taken care of an elderly neighbors cockatiel when she would go into the hospital! Remington was 13 when we got him, I probably should have started with something smaller, always wanted a grey!

 

[Alwese]

I would say a Blue and Gold is probably the best all around pet as they are playful and fairly plentiful out there so you can generally find one more reasonably. A Greenwing would be my next choice, but they are likely harder to find and more expensive. I have a Scarlet and they are beautiful, but I would rate him least likely to be a good all around pet

 

[Merlee]

What advise and info would you give anyone thinking of getting a Macaw someday ?

Did you have any city laws that restricted noise or barred big parrot in certain areas that you had to find a way to work around? Did you have neighbors (as a homeowner) that complained about your Macaws? Did you own any smaller parrots such as conures before you got any Macaws? What Macaw secies would you recommened for first time Macaw owners? Besides pellots, fruits, veggies and seeds is a macaws diet any different then other parrot species/ Perhaps they need big nuts that they have to crack?

Do lots of research on personalities and their dietary needs. Save up money for cages, playstands, food, accessories and toys! They are not cheap. I have had no complaints from my neighbors and I live in a house. I have gone up the ladder with different types of birds and my b&G is the largest bird I have ever had. I think I'll stop with this size. lol. As for noise, I have had neighbors whose dogs had barked all day and made complaints. Animal control doesn't do anything. I think the only time one must be worried about noise is when there is a rental agreement involved.

 

[MaraWentz]

I don't have any restrictions for mine but I have only lived in md and pa. Never had a neighbor complain, I stick with the quiter macaws.mthat being said I've had 3 macaws- 1 blue and gold who was very sexist and kept to himself due to depression of his owner dying and 2 red front macaws. My red front was my first bird and first macaw. I like them best because it's a lot less noise, space, and mess and theyre amazing fliers. They're the smallest of the large macaws and simply green and red which makes thema little less attractive than the bigger and brighter macaws, but they are amazing.

 

[Turquoise]

My 2 Catalina hybrids are the first macaws I've owned & I love them dearly! I live in the country so I don't have to worry about city laws. I give my boys a wide range of variety in their foods. They are still young, so we are still developing & honing their diet to get them to eat many things. They do love the cooked foods now, not so much when they first came home.

Since mine are B&G/Scarlet crosses, they have a fun loving personality much like the B&G, with just enough spunk & attitude like their Scarlet influence to be a riot to be around. I do mean that they are clownish in a fun loving way. I wanted a greenwing when I found these guys & one day I will find my greenwing to join my flock.

 

[Mike]

Greenwings RULE! All others aspire to the beauty and personality of Greenwings.

... I might be a little biased...

 

[MikeyTN]

My neighbors didn't even know we had birds until I told them, same with the previous neighbor. The only time they have ever heard my macaw scream is when I had the windows and doors open. Good windows really are sound proof...lol....

There's actually no diet differences really but we give Willie our B&G Macaw walnuts, almonds, etc etc. as treats. Especially this time of the year when it's widely available, we bought quite a bit as we eat them ourselves too....

 

[Atlas]

My B&G, Atlas is only 6 months old and he's my first parrot. He's so loving and is much easier than I expected him to be (not that he (or any parrot I assume) is "easy"). I can't say much but I don't regret getting my B&G. He's purring for me now so we're going to go cuddle!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Greenwings RULE! All others aspire to the beauty and personality of Greenwings.

... I might be a little biased...

Ya think? I actually cracked up when I read your response. And FWIW, my Niko is the one who rules THIS house

 

[Doves1]

As for me I jumped right from Doves to a Scarlet Macaw Huge jump for me but it went rather smoothly. I did get my Macaw when he was only 2 months old so I'm hand feeding him 3 times a day, in this I'm experienced because of breeding my doves and having to hand feed the babies. A Macaw isn't much different in that, actually he's easier because he actually wants the food!

My advice would be:
1. Be prepared for noise
2. Check the Exotic Pet laws
3. Make sure your ready for the commitment, these "pet's" are more then that they become your children and you need just as much responsibility with them
4. Do your research on them and make sure you can afford them, they are not only expensive to purchase but you have to feed them all their lives

The thing I hate the most is people buying these birds and then later on giving them away or selling them when their 10 years old and already bonded. Their excuse is "I can't afford them", "Their too noisy", "I don't have the time" well that's a Macaw for you and you should have known that before you got them.

 

[Abigal7]

Greenwings RULE! All others aspire to the beauty and personality of Greenwings.

... I might be a little biased...

Ya think? I actually cracked up when I read your response. And FWIW, my Niko is the one who rules THIS house

Fromwhat I read here, on boards and websites the B@G and greenwings get alot of praise. I have a two bedroom house(one bedroom I do not use) with two bathrooms. I am wondering if I live too small of a house to have one.

 

[Abigal7]

As for me I jumped right from Doves to a Scarlet Macaw Huge jump for me but it went rather smoothly. I did get my Macaw when he was only 2 months old so I'm hand feeding him 3 times a day, in this I'm experienced because of breeding my doves and having to hand feed the babies. A Macaw isn't much different in that, actually he's easier because he actually wants the food!

My advice would be:
1. Be prepared for noise
2. Check the Exotic Pet laws
3. Make sure your ready for the commitment, these "pet's" are more then that they become your children and you need just as much responsibility with them
4. Do your research on them and make sure you can afford them, they are not only expensive to purchase but you have to feed them all their lives

The thing I hate the most is people buying these birds and then later on giving them away or selling them when their 10 years old and already bonded. Their excuse is "I can't afford them", "Their too noisy", "I don't have the time" well that's a Macaw for you and you should have known that before you got them.

I am aware the bird alone will be in the thousands and thousands of dollars for a cage and supplies. I am aware I will need a outside aviary for the bird. I know they can live as long as a human such as in their 70s or 80s as thus will probably outlive me. So I do not intend to ever just jump in blindly. As stated before my house may be too small and I work 6 pm to 6 am usualy. I do not know if like a too you realy need to be there pretty much most of the day. I will ask the city out of curiosity. We do have a railroad track that goes in our town. You can hear it sometimes in my neighborhood. My neighbors on both sides have dogs and there seems to be alot of dog owners on my street. As stated I have a conure which I spend time with daily.

 

[Doves1]

The working from 6pm to 6am is actually a good time to leave your Macaw alone, they are like us and regularly sleep during the dark hours of the day. The rule of thumb that I have seen in many different places is your Macaw needs a minimum of 2 hours free time a day, more if you can give it but that's the minimum.

I'm glad you've done your research!

 

[DannyA93]

Greenwings RULE! All others aspire to the beauty and personality of Greenwings.

... I might be a little biased...

Ya think? I actually cracked up when I read your response. And FWIW, my Niko is the one who rules THIS house

Fromwhat I read here, on boards and websites the B@G and greenwings get alot of praise. I have a two bedroom house(one bedroom I do not use) with two bathrooms. I am wondering if I live too small of a house to have one.

How about a harlequin?? i want a greenwing but i def. wouldn't mind one of those alot of people don't like the idea of hybrids but i don't mind them breeders just need to make sure the pure lines don't get lost and if they keep breeding pure as well then that shouldn't be a problem! imo

 

[Mike]

No, hybrids aren't a problem. Macaws are all beautiful--hybrids included. Just be ready for behavior issues which may require focused training.

 

[DannyA93]

Yes!^^^ i love the harlequins my fav hybrid