Blue and Gold pitfalls?

[GladeWing]

Hey all!

So when I was researching birds (before I got Khepri) I knew I wanted a Macaw of some description. I was most interested in a Catalina, Scarlet, or Blue and Gold (solely on looks, I admit)

As I did more research, I learned about how bitey Scarlets were... and that apparently there can be dominance issues with Green Wings... and the Catalina could retain the behavior of the Scarlet.

I never did find any pitfalls or behavioral issues for the Blue and Gold Macaw other than they act like perpetual toddlers (which I figured was par for the course for ALL Macaws).

Is there some sort of behavioral issue with Blue and Golds that I missed? Khepri is amazing, playful, and very nice. Are they considered among the best tempered of the Macaws? (I've also heard excellent things about Hyacinths, but I've never worked with one)

Any input is appreciated!

 

[JerseyWendy]

You described the B&Gs quite well, I think. Granted, my Niko has only been with me for nearly 4 years, but he is SUCH a joy, SUCH a love, SUCH a clown, and he's always making me laugh. Yes, he can be ornery at times, but I've NEVER seen him mean or nasty. But then again, he hasn't reached sexual maturity yet either, so perhaps I'll see a different side of him when that times comes.

I can say the same great things about my Green Wing. The ONLY thing he does sometimes that gets me a bit unnerved, is scream. :30: Other than that he is a very sweet and loving boy, who LOVES to cuddle. He is currently going through his terrible twos, he sometimes pinches a bit too hard when he gets carried away, but a stern NO and the evil eye always snap him right out of it.

 

[MikeyTN]

We've had Willie for 10 years and he's reached his maturity age. That was the only problem I've had with him is when he was fully mature he attacked me. I was caught off guard as I was shocked when he tore my skin open like a banana peel. But after he was done with it he went back to his old self. I can not handle him when he's in his hormone stage. Other then that I don't see them having any sort of major issues. Lola is still young so I haven't seen what the females can do yet when fully mature. She's alreadyshowing signs of going into it partially but nothing too serious.

 

[GladeWing]

My girl is supposedly 11 years old, isn't that around the prime breeding age for a Blue and Gold? I know -all- birds have the capacity to get really nasty during that time. It's for that reason I've been really weary of allowing my Macaw to be "snuggly" I just don't really like that beak so close to my neck when tries to sit on my chest when we're on the couch. I'm worried that she'll flip like a light-switch and suddenly take a chunk out of me due to a hormonal burst or something. She is so easy going but ya never know.

It's good to know your incident was an isolated one at the very least! Were you handling him when it happened or did he come over when you were giving him food or something?

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Lis]

You described the B&Gs quite well, I think. Granted, my Niko has only been with me for nearly 4 years, but he is SUCH a joy, SUCH a love, SUCH a clown, and he's always making me laugh. Yes, he can be ornery at times, but I've NEVER seen him mean or nasty. But then again, he hasn't reached sexual maturity yet either, so perhaps I'll see a different side of him when that times comes.

I can say the same great things about my Green Wing. The ONLY thing he does sometimes that gets me a bit unnerved, is scream. :30: Other than that he is a very sweet and loving boy, who LOVES to cuddle. He is currently going through his terrible twos, he sometimes pinches a bit too hard when he gets carried away, but a stern NO and the evil eye always snap him right out of it.

I would second everything she just said, except it's my B&G that will sometimes scream when he want me to come get him. lol. My Green Wing loves cuddles, but has tried to be too silly with the big beak and pinched too. I've only had him bite 2 times, but I figure I'm still figuring Mac's out as I have only had him a month and 1/2.