Blue and Gold Macaw

[BenjaminG]

I am hoping to get a Blue and Gold Macaw in hopefully the near future. Any advice and preparations that anyone can give and help with would be absolutely amazing. Thanks ahead of time. Also if you could point me to a good breeder to get one from. Id like a hand fed/raised baby. Being that this isnt my first bird i know how much of a difference it can make not having a baby that was raised like that. This will be my first macaw though. Their bites i would think hurt a lot worse. Haha. I want to be fully prepared.

 

[ShellyBorg]

I would not recommend a Macaw to a first time owner. Is there a bird club, pet shop or rescue you can get some hands on with anywhere near by?

 

[BenjaminG]

This isnt going to be my first bird. I have cockatiels have for almost seven years and i worked at a petstore that had bigger birds (not macaws, thay had cockatoos). (private store not commercial) i also used to baby sit my old neighbors b&g macaw. One time i watch him for a few weeks. His name was tucker. Thats how i got attached to b&g's. So i am pretty sure i can handle it but thats y im here. To learn all i can and make sure im fully ready.

 

[tab_xo]

IF you read up and get as much knowledge as you can about them, then you can have them as a first time bird, but only if you do ALOT of research!

There is no point getting a bird that you dont want, just because its a beginners bird! You need to choose the one you want for life!!

Bites dont hurt that much, i have never had any aggression from my boy, but he got his leg ring caught and i stuck my hand in and he was panicking and biting at his leg, and cause my hand was in there, i got 6 bites into my hand, wasn't that bad

I am only young and Fargo is my only bird, and only ever want him! but he is a complete angel! He is so clever and knows lots of tricks!

In MY opinion, when i read all about macaws, everyone was saying how difficult they are to care for... But i have found it incredibly easy, i dont know why, maybe because i have had animals my whole life so i am experienced!

Definitely try to go to a bird shop, or rescue, just to handle the macaws and see how you go!
I had never touched a macaw before i got Fargo, but it has worked out perfectly


Lots of training!!!!

 

[BenjaminG]

IF you read up and get as much knowledge as you can about them, then you can have them as a first time bird, but only if you do ALOT of research!

There is no point getting a bird that you dont want, just because its a beginners bird! You need to choose the one you want for life!!

Bites dont hurt that much, i have never had any aggression from my boy, but he got his leg ring caught and i stuck my hand in and he was panicking and biting at his leg, and cause my hand was in there, i got 6 bites into my hand, wasn't that bad

I am only young and Fargo is my only bird, and only ever want him! but he is a complete angel! He is so clever and knows lots of tricks!

In MY opinion, when i read all about macaws, everyone was saying how difficult they are to care for... But i have found it incredibly easy, i dont know why, maybe because i have had animals my whole life so i am experienced!

Definitely try to go to a bird shop, or rescue, just to handle the macaws and see how you go!
I had never touched a macaw before i got Fargo, but it has worked out perfectly


Lots of training!!!!

Fargo is beautiful i also have had animals my whole life and tend to find things easier then most say they are because of it.
I an starting a lot of research and i would love to have one. Sadly i have no bird rescue around here honestly id be glad to take in a rescue as long as we got along and he was workable not just one of the totally nutzo guys. I dont think for a first macaw or large bird a crazy one would work. Id need better knowledge and hours put in before that. But i also want one. I want him as my life partner.

 

[tab_xo]

Thank you! He is a silly boy!

Yes definitely having animals your whole life helps, i own horses as well, so when people say they are scared of a macaws beak, i dont understand, because that beak is tiny compared to a huge horse

A rescue with alot of problems wouldnt be the best idea, but there are sweet macaws who just havent had a great life, and they are older, so at least then you dont have to deal with the crazy hormones everyone talks about!
and like alot of people say, if you adopt an older bird, you can see their personality and how they interact with you!

I learnt ALOT here on the forum, and i read a few books and basically every single website, but in all honesty, you learn alot more when you actually have them! Its like you can read as much as you want, but until you own one, you wont know everything, because each bird is such an individual!

You would definitely have a life partner! haha

 

[MikeyTN]

They're not difficult to care for no! But you should still try to understand as much about them as possible. I got both of mine when they're older and required a bit of training. And when they're babies they require to be trained properly so they would behave properly. As Tab trained Fargo properly, if you can accomplish something like that then I would say go ahead.

 

[BenjaminG]

thanks.

 

[LiL_Caity413]

 

[Birdman666]

Personally, I think Macaws are pretty easy... but they require a firm hand, and nurturing guidance.

Macaws are the most toddler-like of birds in my opinion.

People get intimidated by them, act stupidly around them, and provoke their own bites. Remember, these are dominant birds that sense fear a mile away, and test everyone. If you flunk that test, they will act up more and more, because like an out of control toddler, they know you can't, or aren't going to control them, the more they act up, the more they are less inclined to take direction from you.

A macaw's beak can be controlled with two fingers. The beak may be all powerful, but the scrawny little neck that wields it, not so much.

They are pair bond birds, so they need to be socialized to the Nth degree, or they will bond with one person, and that will be that. No one else need apply...

B&G's have a reputation for being calm, and even tempered, and for the most part they are, but they can also be a bit high strung and skittish, at least compared to Greenwings, Hys, Blue Throats, and Red Fronts...

They are less beaky than most macaws. But the number one thing to do with these guys is to bite pressure train them. This is done by handling them (a lot) and beak play, where you continuously communicate when the bird is using too much bite pressure. He needs to learn how much is too much. (They don't come like that!) Teaching them to allow you to pick them up by the hook of the beak is also a good thing, because it teaches them to hold on without applying too much pressure, and trust you.

The BEST way to learn about macaws is to handle them A LOT. If there is a rescue in your area. Volunteer! They always need volunteers.

I probably rehabbed and retrained somewhere around 80-100 macaws in the 5 years I did rescue work. And you also learn some of their evil tricks, and what not to do (based on some of the crap you see people have done to their birds, that messed them up), and also, more importantly, how to fix it! Most "behavioral" problems with "problem birds" are HUMAN!!!

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I know it's a couple hours away from you but I got my BCC from In A Pickle Parrots in Ohio and if you can't find any reputable breeder local to you, i'm just throwing that out there for you because i think they really care for their babies. They kept in contact with me and i got to see photos of my baby from different dates. Not overpriced either.
B&Gs are gorgeous birds and seem like amazing pets!!! I personally love them too. One of my favorites.

 

[mpowell]

We just got our B&G. Brought Alfonzoe home for the first time this past Wed.. I understand the attraction to the B&Gs. When I was a kid I always wanted one. I started with our sun conure, then went to an african grey, then got our cockatoo, now we have our b&G. And yes we still have all of them. They are each about three years apart.

Alfonzoe is in the adjustment phase right now. He's trying to figure out what the heck is goin on. He's eating "pretty good" (veggies, nut & seed mix, pettets, and some dried fruit). He checked out good at the vet. So we're just trying to get his diet in order.

Seeing as how I'm literally just starting with a macaw the only advice I can seem to give you is go visit with the bird for a while and get to know it. We would go see the breeder every weekend (Sat. & Sun) while he was still being weened. We did that for about 2 1/2 months prior to bringing him home. Also, make sure you get the biggest cage you can.

 

[BenjaminG]

I know it's a couple hours away from you but I got my BCC from In A Pickle Parrots in Ohio and if you can't find any reputable breeder local to you, i'm just throwing that out there for you because i think they really care for their babies. They kept in contact with me and i got to see photos of my baby from different dates. Not overpriced either.
B&Gs are gorgeous birds and seem like amazing pets!!! I personally love them too. One of my favorites.

Thanks everyone

Any chance you can give me more information on that breeder??? Just in case. I cant find anyone around here at all.

Where do i post to get advice about good diets and training and all that fun stuff

 

[JerseyWendy]

Thanks everyone

Any chance you can give me more information on that breeder??? Just in case. I cant find anyone around here at all.

Where do i post to get advice about good diets and training and all that fun stuff

Here's a link to the breeder: In A Pickle Parrot Shop

As far as questions on diet, behavior, etc., just post away. You can also have a look at our food/recipe section. There is a boatload of awesome info right there.

 

[Chesphoto]

A macaw's beak can be controlled with two fingers. The beak may be all powerful, but the scrawny little neck that wields it, not so much.

But the number one thing to do with these guys is to bite pressure train them. This is done by handling them (a lot) and beak play, where you continuously communicate when the bird is using too much bite pressure. He needs to learn how much is too much. (They don't come like that!) Teaching them to allow you to pick them up by the hook of the beak is also a good thing, because it teaches them to hold on without applying too much pressure, and trust you.

I probably rehabbed and retrained somewhere around 80-100 macaws in the 5 years I did rescue work. And you also learn some of their evil tricks, and what not to do (based on some of the crap you see people have done to their birds, that messed them up), and also, more importantly, how to fix it! Most "behavioral" problems with "problem birds" are HUMAN!!!

Please note, the above are only parts of a post from Birdman

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I would love it if Birdman666 would start a new thread and expand on some of his experience. I would love to learn more about handling a nippy macaw with bite pressure training and more about their evil tricks and what not to do.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Birdman666]

:32:If they are evil, don't break eye contact!

The second you do, GOTCHA!:32:

You can pretty much set your watch by that one...

I've got a scar on my left thumb, and another one on my right index finger from trusting rehab macaws just a tad too soon!

But seriously, if you want me to do a big mac training post, I probably could...

 

[JerseyWendy]

But seriously, if you want me to do a big mac training post, I probably could...

Please do!! I think it would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[BenjaminG]

Thanks everyone

Any chance you can give me more information on that breeder??? Just in case. I cant find anyone around here at all.

Where do i post to get advice about good diets and training and all that fun stuff

Here's a link to the breeder: In A Pickle Parrot Shop

As far as questions on diet, behavior, etc., just post away. You can also have a look at our food/recipe section. There is a boatload of awesome info right there.

Thanks. I contacted them. They seem nice. Im asking about there b&g's