A Macaw as a pet?

[Morthy]

Hey everyone! I am new to this forum, I've been reading it for a while, and I decided to register mainly because of an important question. (Several questions to be accurate )

I am 15 years old now, and I know what you think. I always loved parrots, I had a cockatiel before. He died because one of my family member accidentally made a very serious mistake.

It happened about a year ago.

Because our relatives are parrot breeders/sellers, and I loved being at their place, and I always wanted to have a macaw, my parents told me that if I pass a very important exam (an exam to get into another school), we can talk about having one.

Fortunately I passed. I was(and am) happy, but I want to be sure that I can look after it properly.

I've read several books, I've watched lots of film, and I've read countless hours about macaws since then. It is also sure that I won't go to dorm. (I'll go to university)

Luckily, we can get help, and we can consult with our relatives. We can get a bird sitter because most of our relatives near us like bird. Especially my godfather. He loves macaws.

So it wouldn't be a problem to leave the bird alone while we are on a trip. But we go abroad quite frequently and I am not sure that it is good for the bird. About ~5 times a year (for a week). I can manage to stay home, if it is not good for the bird.

Also, I am studying, and my parents are working. I am at school for 6-7 hours mostly. (From ~7:20-14:20 on average). I've read some different times set as a minimum. Somewhere they say 1h/day, or 2h/day, but they say ~4h/day mostly. I can easily fulfill that.
I am planning on waking up at 5:30 AM to be with the bird until 6:30 AM in the morning, and be together in the afternoon.

But considering that macaws live for ~60-80 years, I'd have to count on the far future what I can't see of course. And I want the best for the bird, and not for me, so there would be some questions. (That I couldn't find in any books/films)

Are they sensitive to schedule changes? What I mean is night schedule job for example.
How anxious should I be? I think that I'll may be too worried about everything. Do they get sick easily (of course in proper environment)? Should I be concerned about the food that it gets? (I know what's poisonous, but besides that) I mean do I need to almost sterilize everything?

It is not a final choice, I know that it is a huge responsibility, and I couldn't say an obvious yes to the bird right now.

Also, if we'd get a bird, it most likely would be a Greenwing Macaw, but I couldn't really make a choice between the Greenwing and the Blue&Gold. If you have some experiences about these 2 species, I'd love to see them.

If you think that it is not really OK to have a bird at this stage of my life, I can totally understand it. Just please give me a reason, so I can fix it, or I can make the final choice and say that I don't want a bird.



PS: If I'd have a bird, it would be a hand fed baby, because where I live (Hungary), you can't find any rescues.

Sorry for my grammatical mistakes, English is not my native language.

 

[U2gal]

Macaws and all the other large species of parrots (most parrots, actually) make HORRIBLE pets.

They are friends, life long friends, they are family, life long family. Life long commitment and responsibility.

They are not pets. They truly rule YOU and you WORK for their love and affection and happiness, and they're expensive and need to be thought of as equals (in the birds minds).

No, they are not pets. I think if a pet owners really thinks hard about what I said about, they can have a nice life with their parrots. But when someone starts thinking them to be like a dog or cat, a true pet, things go wrong.

Good luck on your research. I personally say WAIT until your atleast a few years older. Your going/about to go through puberty, and I think its best to wait. I was 17 when I got my Umbrella cockatoo. And I am a huge avid bird person. But if I would have gotten such a needy emotionally complex animal at age 15, I may have ruined him. I was also working TWO jobs, so I could buy him lots of food, toys and a huge darn cage and playstands to make him happy. I gave almost everything in my bedroom and convinced my family that half the dining room needed to be a bird cage/and playstand play area. It was tough!

 

[U2gal]

Also a good thing to ask your parents is if they are 100% on board with it. If you suddenly, heaven forbid, did NOT like the bird anymore or didnt want to care for it. And the bird was biting and screaming and throwing food everywhere, etc, would you parents keep it, or rehome it?

Macaws, as well as other large species of parrots, go through some horrible, crazy, tough hormonal times. Biting, screaming, destroying toys and their cages (yes POPPING bars off the cages), biting through their perches, terrorizing other family members, etc. It can be overwhelming.

 

[Morthy]

We did lot of research. As I said my relatives are in the parrot "business" (what I do not fully support), they told my parents everything. I read a lot about them, and we talk about this topic often. They are 100% on board with it. I, and my parents are aware of the hormonal changes.

We live in a detached house with a very big garden, so the sound wouldn't be a problem. And we can fence off a part of the garden for exercises.

So I think that my family wouldn't mind the macaw. They 100% support it.

I don't know if the macaw would feel good with us.


@U2gal Of course I didn't mean pet like a dog in the title. I know that you can't compare a dog with a bird in any way. I just couldn't figure out a better title.
http://www.parrotforums.com/members/u2gal.html

 

[MonicaMc]

You sounds like you have a very busy schedule, but you should be able to make things work.

Large macaws are expensive though! I don't know about Hungary, but large macaws here (USA) can easily go for $1,200 to $1,800 per bird, hand raised. A good cage is going to cost $600 to $1,200 or more. Toys, perches, food... That could easily cost another $200-$500! There's also going to be vet visits, which could be $60-$300 or more.

I guess the main questions are... can you afford the initial cost of a macaw? The ongoing cost and care of a macaw? Are you prepared for a lifetime commitment?



With how a young persons life can change, I recommend large species (macaws, cockatos, amazons, etc) for young people. Not many young people have the support of their family. I have met a few owners with large parrots before (in fact, we have one amazing young owner on this forum who has a macaw! And the two do great together!), so I know it can work out!

I've had birds since I was 12 years old (small species), and a conure by the time I was 13. The conure, Noel, a cherry head, was not the kind of pet to give to a young person! He was an older bird with multiple health problems, and didn't trust in humans. We still managed to form a bond, of sorts, and I did what I could to try and make his last years as comfortable as possible. I know that macaws can be louder, more destructive, and much more time consuming.


The main thing I would suggest, is to look into positive reinforcement, often under the guise of clicker training. That and foraging! Keep your bird busy and stimulated!

 

[HalfInsane]

In my opinion trying to line up your entire life in advance for a bird is impossible... especially one that lives 60-80 years! Instead I think you have to be prepared to make things work as you go along, and know that having that macaw will literally affect your every decision for, potentially, your lifetime. In terms of time, finances, living situations, travel plans... etc, etc. Every major life event and decision, will be affected by that bird.

I do want to commend you on the amount of thought and consideration you're giving this though, especially for your age. Far too few people (and I mean adults) put the necessary thought in to getting a bird and its awesome that you're really thinking it through

 

[Kalidasa]

If your entire family is eager for a new addition, then a bird will most likely flourish in your household. Go for it.

 

[Morthy]

Thank you for all the comments.
We discussed the needs of the bird, the financials, the positive and negative sides of living with a macaw, so the price is not a surprise. (It is also expensive in Hungary )
On our side, we can do everything I think.

But I am worrying about the bird. Considering that it is my first macaw, I don't know how much care does it really need. I know that it needs a lot. I can be with it more than 4+ hours a day for at least 8 years, but it lives 60-80 years, so obviously I can't plan on 8 years. Although I do think that (but I can't be sure) there won't be a situation when the bird wouldn't be cared enough.

Could you kind of specify your routine with your birds? Can they tolerate the difference after the 3 month school brake (when I can be with it all day), when I am away 6-7 hours a day?

And the most important, do you think that it the Greenwing Macaw would be suitable for this lifestyle?

Unfortunately I can't answer these questions by reading books. I can only ask from people with experience.

 

[Kalidasa]

Your best bet would be to make sure he's socialized with your mom or other permanent family members so he won't pluck himself or mutilate when your gone. Also realize that being gone for that long can make your bird turn on you when you get back...you could very well "lose" him. Birds need regular routines or they freak out. Slight variations are okay, such as a day to day work schedule, as long as you're there. What you are suggesting is a daunting task....I'm not trying to be a "negative nancy" (lol) but there are certain undeniable facts in bird care, and those facts are not going to modify to fit your lifestyle. Have you considered waiting until you're done with school? You don't seem to be a cruel person, you seem very mature and kind-hearted. But think of the bird. If he bonds with you and you leave, he will suffer. There's simply no way around it. He will suffer, and he will suffer deeply. He may scream all day, he may pluck himself bald, he may mutilate himself until he dies a horrible painful death. These are the realities. So think about it some more. You are not exempt from these bird facts, no one is. Pleas don't take this as a attack, but you asked! . But if he's socialized extremely well, he should be able to handle your absence, as long as someone who he trusts is there taking your place. If you have full support from family, and they're willing to so all that you do, then everything should go well. But it does sound like there's lots of support there, I'm just giving you a scenario that could happen without the proper socialization.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Firstly THANK YOU for reading, researching and asking questions BEFORE making this commitment.

I also think a Macaw could work for you. It will all depend on how you raise him, socialize him, and to teach him to play independently. A Green Wing could be a GREAT choice. They are known as gentle giants, and mine certainly falls into that category.

I'm VERY fortunate, I'm a homemaker, so all my birds get TONS of attention throughout the day. My routine starts at 8AM sharp. I clean cages, dishes, and trays, and provide fresh food and water. During that time they are all out on play stands. The process takes me about 1-1.5 hours.

At 11AM my big macs come out again until 1PM. Then I switch and let the Amazons out until 3PM. Switch again and again. I play games with them, give them individual attention and also let them play by themselves. We have a routine, and it works for us.

 

[Kalidasa]

Morthy I apologize! For some reason I thought you were going away to school, and would be gone from the home entirely. After double-checking, I see I'm wrong! You were talking about schedule variations, not about leaving entirely..My apologies. As long as you have time to spend every day, and the bird is socialized, things should go well. There are of course no guarantees, but you sound like you have a stable household. And a big backyard is a huge plus, birds do best with fresh air &sunshine every day (unless its snowing)

 

[Morthy]

We are going to go to our relatives and a breeder on the 15th of June to discuss everything, and make a decision.

You helped a lot, thank you!

Kalidasa: It is never a problem to see what would the worst case look like. Thank you!

I hope everything will be all right. I can't wait.

 

[Zazoothehahns]

If you have a knowledgable family that is behind you, and there will always be someone there to interact with the bird, I don't see an issue. Our first is coming the beginning of July, a hahns macaw for my daughter's sweet 16.Much smaller than what you are contemplating. If we were to look for another, i would love to be able to find a loving mature macaw.