B&G and Smaller Bird

[G3ck0]

I've wanted a B&G for a couple of years now, and I could finally get one recently. I decided to get a Green Cheek instead, to see how I actually go with birds first. My mum said I could get a B&G later if I still want one, and I think I still do. But how would it go having two different birds in the house? The Green Cheek is only around 9 weeks old, but I'd want them both to be out and about at the same time. Would this be possible, or would the B&G be too aggressive?

Also, is it difficult to have a B&G indoors? I could imagine it knocking things down when it flies and just destroying things, which would be a problem as my mum has very expensive things on wall units and hanging up.

 

[Sterling1113]

Hi, judging by your post it sounds like you are still somewhat young- since you mentioned living with your mom. Not only that but you got a GCC to see how to do with parrots, but the GCC is only 9 weeks old, not leaving much room to gain experience. I would say spend some time with your GCC and really bond with him/her, instead of only having him/her until you can get a macaw.

Macaws are big, they have big beaks, and big attitudes if not raised correctly. Conures are essentially tiny macaws. Nearly everyone whos had a conure will tell you the same, macaw personality in a small body.

As far as being out at the same time, I'd say NO. Tiny bird could fit in that macaws beak, it only takes one accident for something truly awful to happen. I wouldn't even let my conures near my Pionus' beak, or my Alexandrine, let alone a macaw.

B&Gs can and are commonly kept indoors, but like with any other parrot it requires training and understanding. If the macaw is not trained properly it will chew the walls, photo frames, cabinets, and virtually anything else it can reach with that beak.

I'm not trying to scare you away from a macaw, or tell you not to- but its just my advice to enjoy your GCC in the time being. Take the time to learn about how parrots are, their emotional needs, etc. They truly are wonderful parrots, speaking from experience.

P.S we would also love to see pictures of the GCC.

 

[Psittaciformes]

It's very individual from bird to bird. But considering the size difference I'd be very cautious, even if the macaw is just playing I think it could still do some serious damage to the GCC.
Macaws can be pretty destructive too, so make sure you have plenty of toys for it to shred if you decide on getting one. Keep in mind it's a huge responsibility.
Don't forget about the lifespan.

I don't really have macaw experience though. I'm sure someone with experience with macaws, as well as owning both macaws and conures will chime in soon enough

 

[Birdman666]

Generally speaking, a macaw doesn't care about a conure. Depends on the bird, and how well socialized and trained he is....

Same goes for whether or not the bird goes on "search and destroy" missions. I have two loose in my house, unsupervised, as I type this...

They stay put in the bird room. So I can.

If they didn't, I couldn't.

 

[Birdman666]

Hi, judging by your post it sounds like you are still somewhat young- since you mentioned living with your mom. Not only that but you got a GCC to see how to do with parrots, but the GCC is only 9 weeks old, not leaving much room to gain experience. I would say spend some time with your GCC and really bond with him/her, instead of only having him/her until you can get a macaw.

Macaws are big, they have big beaks, and big attitudes if not raised correctly. Conures are essentially tiny macaws. Nearly everyone whos had a conure will tell you the same, macaw personality in a small body.

As far as being out at the same time, I'd say NO. Tiny bird could fit in that macaws beak, it only takes one accident for something truly awful to happen. I wouldn't even let my conures near my Pionus' beak, or my Alexandrine, let alone a macaw.

B&Gs can and are commonly kept indoors, but like with any other parrot it requires training and understanding. If the macaw is not trained properly it will chew the walls, photo frames, cabinets, and virtually anything else it can reach with that beak.

I'm not trying to scare you away from a macaw, or tell you not to- but its just my advice to enjoy your GCC in the time being. Take the time to learn about how parrots are, their emotional needs, etc. They truly are wonderful parrots, speaking from experience.

P.S we would also love to see pictures of the GCC.

Good advice... for the most part. I had three conures loose in my bird room with multiple macaws, amazons, toos, and a CAG. They were socialized together, and got along. There were no incidents. You don't just set them out unsupervised together, and separate playstands are required.

Big bird little bird issues generally end badly for the little bird. And that is putting it delicately.

 

[G3ck0]

I probably wouldn't be buying the macaw for 5 months or so, so I have time to learn with my Conure. I'm just wondering if I'd actually be able to have both without having to only take one out at a time, while the other gets jealous and goes crazy.

 

[Psittaciformes]

In my opinion, 5 months is not long enough. I know you've wanted a macaw for a long time now, but judging from your first post, the GCC is your first bird ever, a macaw is an even bigger responsibility.
There is absolutely no need to rush it.

 

[Anansi]

I probably wouldn't be buying the macaw for 5 months or so, so I have time to learn with my Conure. I'm just wondering if I'd actually be able to have both without having to only take one out at a time, while the other gets jealous and goes crazy.

Like Mark said, it really does depend on the bird and how well socialized he/she is. And even if both birds are extremely well-socialized and get completely comfortable with one another, you should still never leave them out together unsupervised. As mentioned by Ashley, with beaks of that size, it only takes one accident.

But since so much of what you asked was already covered so well by other posters, I just thought I'd chime in on one of your earlier questions. Namely, whether indoor flight would be difficult with a B&G.

My thought is that it could be potentially tough on your household objects. If there are expensive units hanging from the wall, you'll never be able to guarantee their safety with anything bigger than the size of a budgie. Even something as small as a cockatiel or conure can build up a good enough head of steam to send things flying to the ground.

But that said, with extensive flight training you can minimize the risks. (And preventative measures. I have a few expensive sculptures to which I applied industrial strength double-sided tape to their undersides, thus securing them to their stands/shelves. Not completely bird-proof, but it provides some measure of protection.)

So here is a great video that shows the potential of birds trained extensively in indoor flight: [ame="http://youtu.be/NzyZGdMp9kM"]http://youtu.be/NzyZGdMp9kM[/ame]

 

[Psittaciformes]

When they get to part about the parrots understanding mirrors in the video you linked, I can't believe I've walked into mirrors and yet these birds can fly that fast and land on a perch right next to the mirror without flying into it ...

 

[Anansi]

When they get to part about the parrots understanding mirrors in the video you linked, I can't believe I've walked into mirrors and yet these birds can fly that fast and land on a perch right next to the mirror without flying into it ...

Amazing, isn't it? My jaw dropped! Though that is after extensive training and being introduced to every window and mirror repeatedly. Changing the position of a mirror would likely pose a serious danger to birds even as well trained as they.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Good point, I think that might be my problem too ... Maybe I'm not as stupid as I thought then.

 

[Sterling1113]

Good advice... for the most part. I had three conures loose in my bird room with multiple macaws, amazons, toos, and a CAG. They were socialized together, and got along. There were no incidents. You don't just set them out unsupervised together, and separate playstands are required.

Big bird little bird issues generally end badly for the little bird. And that is putting it delicately.

This is also true, what I had posted was just MY personal opinion, so don't take it for fact LOL. I also don't have enough room for separate playstands for everybody, so I use separate out-of-cage-time to avoid conflict and jealousy.

 

[4dugnlee]

There's no way of knowing if the two will be able to be out together before hand. Hopefully, with socialization and supervision they will be able to, but there's no guarantee.

 

[Birdman666]

When they get to part about the parrots understanding mirrors in the video you linked, I can't believe I've walked into mirrors and yet these birds can fly that fast and land on a perch right next to the mirror without flying into it ...

And without that training, they can face plant into anything and everything, knocking stuff over, and hurting themselves in the process...

So, again, goes back to the training they receive.