A few basic Macaw Questions

[LokiWolf]

So, I have never owned a bird before, never known anyone who has, and I sort of want to start owning birds. This may sound stupid, but this is why I’m asking. (Please don’t hate)*

1. I want a macaw, but that’s just me. Are they good beginner pets? (I have no experience whatsoever) I wake up at 5:40 am every day, and go to bed about 8:00 or 9:00 pm. School lasts from 7:30 until 2:30 so, would that be okay for him/her? Should I get two? I would prefer not to have him/them free roaming my room, but it is possible if needed. I do have someone at home to let them out, but if the macaws don’t like that person, she probably can’t get them back into their cage/cages. I just don’t want to be cleaning poop of the bed and carpet every day.*

2. Is there any way to make my own cage? I’ve seen some pre-built cages a little pricier that I want, but if I need to I can spend it.*

3. How bad is their bite? And are they easy to tame?*

4. Are they good pets in general? Companion wise?*

5. If not a macaw, what other good bird?*

Thanks guys!*

 

[chris-md]

Hello and welcome!!

They are wonderful pets, but I highly doubt they are for you. Based on your post (and, honestly, your writing) you're high school or younger. Having not been raised around birds before a macaw would not be a good bird for you.

I would start with a parakeet or a cockatiel if you think you're really interested in exploring birds.

You've got a lot of life to live over the next ten years and having a substantial bird like a macaw will be very detrimental to both yourself and the bird.

 

[SailBoat]

First of all, Welcome to the Parrot Forums!

I would recommend that you go to the MAC Forum and read at least the first three (3) Threads and in reverse order. This will give you a flavor for life with a MAC.

Large Parrots are expensive to own. From the Parrot itself, to the large cage and playstands, to toys for them to turn into small pieces in a couple of minutes, to Avian Vet care, etc, etc, etc....

In addition to the cost, Large Parrots require lots of time. From cleaning the cage and near everywhere else, to interaction time, etc, etc, etc.....

This is just the base of owning a Large Parrot!

After reading the first Three Threads in the MAC Forum, come back with specific questions.


Yes, a new person to Parrots and even Large Parrots is very possible. It comes to the level commitment and the finances to support the effort! Having your own home and a good paying job is clearly part of the requirements.

Best Regards,

 

[BeatriceC]

I agree with the others. Macaws are a lot of work. I'm a housewife with a fair amount of disposable income and I still sometimes wonder if I'm shortchanging my birds. It's a huge commitment. I agree with the suggestions to read the macaw forum in detail and think about if this is something you can commit to for the next 50 or so years.

 

[texsize]

I can't comment on a macaw because I don't have one. I wish I did but I don't have the room and my flock take up a lot of time but...

How bad is there bite ?
If this is something that worries you it would be best to stick with a smaller bird.
YOU WILL GET BITTEN.
The only way to avoid it is not to handle the bird. Sooner or later your attention will be elsewhere or you will read the body language wrong or the bird will get scared and lash out.

I think a cockatiel would be a good "starting point" they are cute and expressive with there little crests.
they have a fair life expectancy 20 - 25 years.
They can talk but aren't the best at it.
There bite is mostly a nuisance, it does not leave your finger feeling like someone took a pair of sharp vice grips to it.
they are small enough that they can fly around your room (I don't think a macaw could do that unless your room is in a mansion).

There is one other way you might still be able to go with a macaw, a "miniature macaw" . Some of these are not much bigger than a amazon parrot.
I hope this helps.
texsize

 

[Jeans]

Hey! I am 15 and I kinda have to agree with the others. I would never get a macaw, even they are one of my dream birds. I will get one after college when life has settled.

I would say a cockatiel, or possibly small conure. I personally have a 'tiel, a budgie, and a quaker. As well as other animals. These are under my complete care, but I have an advantage of being homeschooled and rarely leaving the house.

If I were to still go to public school, there is no way I could have so many animals and not feel overwhelmed. I think a macaw would be like living with my 2 year old brother, and that gets to be pretty frustrating!

So I would definitely not go for one as your first bird. Definitely try and find bird rescues in your area to help at! The one here doesn't allow minors to help which is quite frustrating for me, birds are really amazing!

Good luck!


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[sonja]

Hi LokiWolf! Welcome to the forum and we're all so glad you are asking questions before bringing any bird home!!

I think a great thing for you to do would be to volunteer with a parrot rescue! You would learn soooo much while doing a great thing. You could get a very clear idea of what various types of birds require to help decide what species would be a good match for you.

A couple comments about your questions:

~You will be cleaning up poop. Cage, no cage, free range, on your shoulder, on a perch - doesn't matter. Poop is a BIG part of owning a large bird.

~ The expense of a cage is a very minimal part of owning a bird. The ongoing daily and monthly and yearly expense very very quickly makes the cost of a cage look like a drop in the bucket. Food is expensive. Toys are expensive. A trip to the vet is expensive. Replacing your cell phone because your bird chewed it up is expensive.

~ And, please please take careful note of the fact that getting any large bird is signing yourself up - for poop, for expense, for time commitment - for the rest of your life. Seriously, the rest of your life. If you are in school now, you need to consider your parrot's care in, among every other aspect of your life: moving, renting, roommates, full time jobs, vacations, dating, having children.

Obviously we all love birds here and so we all think these issues are well worth the pleasure of our birds. But do not go in unprepared or it will end up badly for you and the parrot. I kept various birds for years and worked in rescue for years, before I felt comfortable enough in the aspects of stability, ability to afford, and experience before I felt like I was a reasonable candidate to be a good home for my dream bird, a Moluccan cockatoo.

So, please keep asking questions!!
And if you give us a general idea of your location, we may be able to point you towards a rescue you could work with.