Adding another bird?

[Iktomi]

Hey all. I have a question. I am owned by a wonderful male CAG. He is bonded to me in an amazing way. He is literally part of our family. He sleeps on a perch on my side of the bed. (Yes, my wife lets him!) He cuddles under the covers, eats with us, goes on vacation with us, the whole nine yards. He is 9 years old.
Anyway, we have been offered a free 3 year old blue and gold macaw. We would love another bird (especially my wife as she is jealous of the bond I have with my Grey) but I think we are going to say "no" because of Butkus. (My Grey.) I'm guessing that this would be a cruel thing to do to him, even if I clearly showed him he was still the "top" bird. The macaw was purchased as a school mascot and was left alone during school vacations and stuff w/ no fresh food or water. Criminal.
So, I thought I'd get some opinions from from you other bird brains!

 

[TexDot33]

Hello and welcome to the forums!

Sounds like you have a wonderful and well adjusted grey ... can't wait to hear some more stories and maybe even see some pictures!

Christy and I had one bird, Hamlet (our Sun Conure) and I think that Christy feel into that same "jealousy" issue that your wife has because Hamlet was bonding to me ... so then one day we came across a GCC in our favorite parrot store that took to Chirsty ... next thing I know out comes the credit card and Mac was coming home with us. We don't have any issues with the two of them together ... infact they preen each other, they play well together and when we board them they even stay in the same cage ... they are great together.

Now, that isn't to say that this is going to be true in all cases ... but, if you want to take in a macaw you need to be willing to make the commitment that this new addition is going to add. Think of birds like children ... you and your wife have 1 and all is great! You and your wife want another one, now you have to prepare child #1 for child #2 ... are they going to get along - more than likely. But, could you have two children that fight like cats and dogs and don't get along ... YES! But you as a responsible parent (or owner) can create environments that will foster and nurture the first child's want to get along with the second.

As for taking in a abused Mac ... How much large bird experience do you have? If you don't have any I would think long and hard about this decision. If you decide to take this Mac in, do you have knowledge of Macaw's body posture, behaviors etc. and are you going to be afraid of that big ol' beak of his?

I would say ABSOLUTELY add to your flock if YOU want to (birds will always adjust to new situations ... unless your grey is a nervous grey and new situations completely freak him out) and you are ready to take on the added responsibility.

Can't wait to hear how things work out for you ... again, welcome to the forum!

:50:

 

[Iktomi]

Thanks so much for the good information. I will learn more about the macaws. I know a lot about the Greys, but that's it. And here is my sweet Butkus!
Can you help with another question? I know that many macaws are quite loud. My grey can bust your eardrums if he wants, but VERY rarely does anything loud. We live in a townhome. Granted, its an end unit but that may not matter with the vocal abilities of a macaw. What should I know concerning this?
(Thanks again!)