A Hy high

[TexDot33]

it was about 3 months ago at this point ... but this was a day that I can't soon forget ... look at what I go to play with!

not many people get to have the World's largest parrot on their arm, but I did and it was completely awesome!

This is Cyrus, and Cy is only about 5 months old ... to kinda give you an idea about how big he is I am holding him and I am 5'9" and from head to feet he is as long as my chest ~ His tail went down past my knees! I was told that he would probably get about 50% larger than he is now by the time he is "full grown" :11:

Gentle as they come, and just a 100% completely addicting bird. I will take two of these guys please (well, when I hit the Powerball jackpot!)

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Awesome!

But I'd hate to get bit by a guy like that. ... you didn't need that arm did you ...

 

[TexDot33]

1600 psi bite pressure (no, I didn't need that arm thanks - you can have it ... ) is intimidating, (espically when I saw him bite a "quick link" in HALF while I was there) .. but the key is to make sure that they don't know that they can do it.

Cy actually put a little too much pressure on me at one point (just playfully not in an aggressive type of way) and I put him right down ...

 

[4Nines]

He will get 50% larger than that?! That's a HUGE

 

[TexDot33]

yeah, should get to about 48 inches (head to toes) and almost 3 to 3.5 pounds in weight ... there is a reason these guys are called "Gentle Giants"

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Just thinking about that bite force...

You better ask him REALLY nice to stay in his cage. Either that or use 1 inch thick titanium rods for cage bars.

 

[TexDot33]

Surgical Stainless Steel cages are the only recommended cages for a Hyacinth Macaw ... everything else is just an expensive chew toy.

 

[michaeln]

Surgical Stainless Steel cages are the only recommended cages for a Hyacinth Macaw ... everything else is just an expensive chew toy.

Stainless steel is actually one of the least strong varieties of steel. Its major virtue is that it is rust-resistant, not that it is so strong. I can see using stainless because it does not need to be powder coated though.... most large macaws can chew powder coating off.

 

[michaeln]

I saw him bite a "quick link" in HALF while I was there

A STEEL quick link? A Hyacinth's beak material isn't hard enough to bite through steel, even if their jaw muscles are.

 

[TexDot33]

... A STEEL quick link? A Hyacinth's beak material isn't hard enough to bite through steel, even if their jaw muscles are.

It was the same type of quick link that one would use to hang toys in a cage, he had it in his mouth (took it off of one of his toys) and bit down and *snap* two halves when flying in separate directions.

Now, whether that link was already weakened or not I don't know for sure but I do know that I watched him do it and and I watched him open nuts like it was nothing ... it was kinda intimidating if he hadn't been such a mush ball! :07::07:

 

[Jez]

I love those birds!
The parrot store I go to has one (the owners... not for sale), he's beautiful!
When I was there he had a corn on the cob and easily bit it apart! Imagine a finger in between that beak... *CRACK*
I think I held one of them in Mexico if I remember right... or maybe it was just B&G, green winged & scarlets.
All are beautiful!
The one at the store I go to is in a huge cage and appears on TV! Giant birds, giant price tag, giant responsibilty...
I wish I could hold one again (and know it wont bite my arm off!)

 

[Shmexay]

They can't bite arms off, that is silliness. Their beaks are strong, but can't "chop" through bone.

 

[TexDot33]

Actually, a Hyacinth Macaw is capable of a bite pressure of 1600 pounds per square inch ... most certainly enough to crush a hand or wrist of a human ...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

"The amount of force needed to fracture living bone with soft tissues in tact is between 435 and 900 lb per square inch (psi)"
-Cox M, Mays S. 2000. Human Osteology in Archeology and Forensic Science. Cambridge University Press

"A macaw can develop a bite of 800 to 1500 psi"
-from a patent for avian veterinary instruments at Veterinary avian oral speculum and method of use - Patent 5722936

Sounds like the macaw beak wins.

 

[TexDot33]

"The amount of force needed to fracture living bone with soft tissues in tact is between 435 and 900 lb per square inch (psi)"
-Cox M, Mays S. 2000. Human Osteology in Archeology and Forensic Science. Cambridge University Press

"A macaw can develop a bite of 800 to 1500 psi"
-from a patent for avian veterinary instruments at Veterinary avian oral speculum and method of use - Patent 5722936

Sounds like the macaw beak wins.

Thank you for the learned facts, with citations even ... I knew you'd be a great side kick!!

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I was gathering my sources for that post while you posted your response. After I hit post I saw yours and thought - damn, he beat me too it.

 

[TexDot33]

Yes, but yours carries significantly more weight in the argument ... it has cited facts from published sources ...

Mine just says, "you're wrong because I say so."

 

[Shmexay]

CRUSH, yes, but CHOP....no.

Everyone knows they can BREAK bones, but the grinding motion of the beak makes it so they can't chop your arm off.

MAYBE they could take your finger off...but I doubt it. The tip of it maybe.

Stop trying to macho-fy parrots. God.

 

[Cici]

LOL that is soooo awsome! what a beauty!

 

[Jez]

I wonder if/how many people HAVE gotten their bones crushed... That would be a story to hear.