Blue & Gold ~ Macaw

[Cecilia]

Okay it's been some time now since I first came to these wonderful forums. I have been speaking with some members and getting a lot of assistance and guidance from many on Macaws. My husband and I have decided to get one. We are in no rush and we are looking for the "right" one. The one that you just KNOW is the one. Well, my husband and I are going to build the cage for it. It will be 5ft tall, 4ft x 3ft. (or 4ft x 4ft) It will be made of 1/4" Clear Acrylic (like my 55g fishy tank). I just browsed and saw a few books to help guild me on the right path to being an amazing Parrot owner to such a large bird. Here is a list of books I just purchased

"Macaws" - Roger G Sweeney
"Parrots for Dummies" - Nikki Moustaki
"The Parrot Problem Solver" - Barbara Heidenreich
"The Healthy Bird Cookbook: A lifesaving Nutritional Guide and Recipe Collection" - Robin Deutsch

I'm sure there are many books out there that are useful but these 4 are the ones which really sparked my eye. The "Parrots for Dummies" has a lot of useful information on it that I cannot wait to sink my head into, although I have never been found of any of the books with the words "For Dummies" BUT After looking through it there was way to much useful info that I couldn't resist. I'm waiting for Amazon.com to ship them. Any advise on cage preference and ect. I do have young children... As you all know. My oldest son will be 5 July 26. youngest son is now 7mo and my daughter isn't due till Aug 8th. We also have an 11yr old dog, 1yr old cat, and our newest addition Kix our Black Masked Lovebird. SO yes I do know I have my hands full but I also know what I can handle. With my husband by my side and his loving support I can do anything! I am a stay at home mother doing college online and in the evening at school. So I am home all day everyday. I am going for my 4yr - RN program. I already have plans set with my husband for when I get my degree and start working. So as you can see I have thought a head and have been planning long and hard. I have been doing animal rescue for going on 7yrs and so I have always been up and down with doing veterinarian school, so I may go for that just as a certification as an aviary spe******t. Anyhow any thoughts or helpful tips etc?

 

[Mike]

Wow! You're certaining putting the necessary thought into everything.

One comment, then a few questions:

COMMENT--Which Macaw to get is, of course, a question with many answers. Let me share with you the decision process I went through.

I started out wanting a Scarlet due exclusively to its beauty. I monitored Craigslist looking for a "deal." I corresponded with 3 or 4 owners and gradually learned that getting a Macaw was not like getting a dog or cat. These people were giving up pets which were apparently ruining their lives. That got me started doing a lot of research. Like you I read a lot (I think I'm on my 9th book now). I read articles and I read forum posts.

I came to realize that having a parrot was like having a pet lion. Not being domesticated, the animal was only going to be as good of a pet as it was trained to be. In other words, the success of my new pet was going to be entirely my responsibility. The people on Craigslist were, for the most part, the victims of their own poor training abilities. Of course, the real victim in each of those Craigslist postings was the bird.

When I realized the importance of training, I purchased two training courses and will probably purchase others in the future. I've been practicing, with some noticable successes, on my daughter's Sun Conure (Nigel).

During my research I gradually discovered that different Macaw types had different reputations. To increase my chances of success (for I was, and am still commited to not fail my feathered friend), I decided to get a bird with a gentle reputation (minimal biting and minimal screaming). With a gentle bird I figured my neophyte status as "Parrot Trainer" might keep my mistakes from ruining a good bird and upsetting my family.

The Hyacinth had the reputation as being the most gentle, and the Greenwing the second most gentle. The Hyacinth was 6 times more expensive than the Greenwing. Remember that I started this search wanting a Scarlet? In the end I chose the Greenwing, due both to it's reputed gentle nature, but also because of its similar coloring to the Scarlet (to say nothing of the cost difference).

During the process I also realized that getting an older bird from Craigslist was likely to result in me having to deal with someone else's training failures. Keeping in mind my neophyte training abilities, I decided to get a baby Greenwing directly from a breeder. This decision tripled the cost of getting a Macaw, but considering the number of years I was going to have this bird in my life it seemed like an acceptable sacrifice.

I know this last decision will upset some readers of this forum who fight the good fight by rescuing unwanted and abused birds. These people will encourage you to adopt these unwanted birds from shelters. I applaud them their crusade, but I recognized my own limitations. We all need these parrot saviors to succeed, but more importantly to me and my family--I needed ME to succeed. I bought a baby Greenwing from a local breeder. I vist the bird (Mardy) every weekend. I will bring him/her home in June. Maybe at some point in the future when I have become a skilled and confident parrot trainer I will join their fight.

Postscript! In my continued reading I am starting to change my belief that different Macaw types have pre-defined behaviors. I'm starting now to believe that these reputations might really be unfounded and undeserved. The Scarlet has a reputation for being nippy and a screamer, whereas the Greenwing has a reputation for gentleness. I now believe the fact that the Scarlet has been available to the consumer market a lot longer than the Greenwing, has allowed the number of experiences to build up against the Scarlet in a way that it has not yet had time to build up against the Greenwing (Scarlets have been kept as pets for hundreds of years, whereas the Greenwing has only been available for a couple of decades.)

What I'm saying is to ignore the reputations. Trust to your training skills. If you don't have the skills yet (as is my case), begin working on those skills. I've been practicing on Nigel (my daughters Sun Conure) for the past four months waiting for Mardy to come home. Mardy will benefit at the possible expense of a now neurotic Nigel. Just kidding--Nigel has become a much more interesting pet since I began training him. I like to think he's much happier too! I've tried unsuccessfully to get my daughter to rename Nigel to "Cheetah" (Tarzan's pet Chimpanzee), because he's such a monkey.

Had I to do it all again, I'd probably stick with the Scarlet. Unfortunately, for me it is too late to change. I'm completely mesmerized by Mardy my baby Greenwing. My weekly visits have me completely in his/her thrall. On the otherhand, maybe that's not so "unfortunate" after all.

QUESTIONS
1. Have you considered heat buildup? I understand acrylic carriers get very warm inside, and for that reason I've been told that I might need to drill additional holes to keep the bird comfortable.
2. How will you construct your cage?
3. Is it to have all four walls acrylic or only the front wall?
4. Will you install a circulating fan?
5. How will you clean it? Will you have a grill in the bottom like a traditional cage?
6. How do you plan to attach perches and toys?
7. Will you have externally accessible food and water dishes?

 

[MikeyTN]

Awesome post Mike!!!

I'm with you on that one with the Scarlet, that's what I wanted to begin with. But when my birthday came about, my partner got me Willie the B&G macaw from the paper. I went over to see him, he climb right onto my arm and the owners beg me to take him cause he would never go to anyone else before I showed up. Do I still wanted the Scarlet to begin with? YES! But am I unsatisfied with Willie, absolutely not! He was meant to be with me and I never regretted in getting him. I've adopted problematic birds and it takes time and skills to over come those issues. I can do it and I know how to. But for someone who is inexperienced with them will I tell them to adopt someone else's problem? No! BUT at the same time, without the knowledge will you be able to train the baby properly? Otherwise, it can become someone else's problem if you can't deal with it. So it's a mix of emotions, it all depends on how dedicated you are to birds. I've loved birds all my life so I'm all for it. It takes many years to build up your experiences towards birds, not a one year two year thing, it does not make you an expert. Books and online reading don't make you an expert. Long term ownership and experiences does! I'm not a expert at 15 years as I never claim to be, but I know my birds well enough that I don't have problems with them. Plus I've been around breeders and different type of birds in my past. Did I read a lot of books, articles, magazines, etc. YES! I subscribed to Bird Talk for 8 years in the past. But it's nothing to compare to years of ownership with different species.

To really find that special bird, you need to go out and visit with different types to see what fits you.

 

[Cecilia]

QUESTIONS
1. Have you considered heat buildup? I understand acrylic carriers get very warm inside, and for that reason I've been told that I might need to drill additional holes to keep the bird comfortable.
2. How will you construct your cage?
3. Is it to have all four walls acrylic or only the front wall?
4. Will you install a circulating fan?
5. How will you clean it? Will you have a grill in the bottom like a traditional cage?
6. How do you plan to attach perches and toys?
7. Will you have externally accessible food and water dishes?

1) yes Vents and a fan will be installed BUT I keep my house at 70 degrees... LOL which is another reason i decided an acrylic... My MAIN reason was bc I do have younger children and will not even chance the finger being nipped when I'm not looking. The bird will have plenty of outside time where it will be "supervised" so I'm not worried about that.
2) It will be a corner cage. See attached
3)All walls will be acrylic
4) See #1
5) The front is going to be the door, the entire thing... So we can go in and out of the cage... Grill on bottom as well as on top! as well as vents on the bottom so there is consistent air flow. There will also be wheels so i can take it outside and hose it down.
6) there will be the highest perch that will stay and it will be drilled through the acrylic and as far as toys they will hang from top and I'm installing stainless steal loops at different parts of the cage to attach toys in different spots. or just leaving a drilled hole where I will want a toy. There will also be an acrylic mirror piece Velcro to the outside of the cage that can be moved to different spots for the joy of the bird.
7) Yes the bowls will be externally accessed. (4 will be installed)


I am 100% certain about the B&G I want. LOL I stick to my guns when I make a decision. I am VERY dedicated to my animals. My husband rather me get the bird than my 3 dogs I want LOL SOOOOO I know I will have PLENTY of time, love, and devotion for the bird. Anytime I'm not doing anything with the children I will be play with Kix and my Macaw. I won't let anything stray me away from what I want. No matter what anyone says a B&G is what I want and will always be that way. I would rather get what I want then end up with more than 2 birds... LMBO! SO.... Yes, I am continuing to do my research and will continue to do so. I am very stern with my animals and dominant and that is a major plus on my side so I've read. I will also be the one weaning the baby (Fingers crossed) as I've read that they bond to the one who weans them. SO yes that has always been my plan.. Get them when they are JUST about ready to be weaned... Gives me plenty of time to bond with the bird and start our relationship without the panicking of it being a little older and having to worry about it's new surroundings. (that's what I've read) LOL

@mike - as I mentioned above.. interacting with another bird will not make me change my mind about wanting a B&G... hehe!!!!

 

[HRH Di]

Wow, you're doing all the right things. Mike & Mike gave great advice...I'm just here as moral support, really.

BTW - I have to sing a few praises for red-front macaws. Amazing birds! almost as amazing as my CAG. We were lucky enough to have a great breeder (almost) in our back yard. I always thought I wanted a Scarlet or Greenwing but after having Jade, RFMs are the top of my favorite macaw list.

 

[Cecilia]

Thanks HRH Di! I'm trying my best! I would like it at 6weeks of age (I have hand reared before, almost done weaning my Black Masked Lovebird). Also, this is my first large bird I would be hand rearing so what would you recommend for placement while being hand reared? (ie: Clear glass tank with heating pad on side, Clear plastic bucket with heating lamp..... what is your preference?) Mikey is going to be my personal walk me through guide to weaning this big feathered friend when i get it... LOL (he just doesn't know it yet!) With plenty of research and advice I know I can handle it!

 

[MikeyTN]

Haha! My preference would be glass tank with a clamp on shop light with a 60w bulb. I usually cover one side with a towel or I use two lights on both sides. Depending on how old the baby is.

 

[Cecilia]

Okay Yeah bc i keep the house at 70 degrees here in FL HAHA! So I will put a towel on one side. What size tank now? LOL I have a reptile light clap thingy and I have the bulb that you buy for an aquarium turtle. Is that what you mean by shop light? or a regular house bulb? It will be 6- 8 weeks old....

 

[MikeyTN]

Regular light bulb...those heat lamps gets too hot...

 

[MikeyTN]

By the way if your going with a macaw I would go with 29-55g tank depending on which type of macaw. Probably more of the 55gif you go with the bigger one...

 

[Lesleybird]

Hi, I have been taking care of large parrots for the last 20 years. The best books on the market for companion parrot behavior are both by a woman named Mattie Sue Athan. The first one by her is ""Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot, a best selling book in the parrot section, secondly is "Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior". The training of all of my parrots is based on these two books. Think that they are the best. Lesley

 

[Cecilia]

By the way if your going with a macaw I would go with 29-55g tank depending on which type of macaw. Probably more of the 55gif you go with the bigger one...

What do you mean Bigger one? aren't all B&G's the same size? It's going to be the size of Willie... BUT I'm getting when I do get one... at 6weeks of age

@ Lesley- TY I saw those too! I will purchase them after I read what I already paid for!! LOL

 

[Cecilia]

BTW I think I'll stick with a 29g if I can.. That's getting pricey for a 55g that I wont use after that... WELL... Unless I start another aquarium... LMAO

 

[MikeyTN]

You can buy a used 55g fish tank cheap off craigslist. Then you can turn around and sell it back on craigslist when your done... The main reason I suggested a 55 is because of that long tail feather and it would be more room for a macaw to roam around.

Not all B&G are equal in size. I was shocked on the size of the B&G at the bird fair this past weekend. They're all smaller then mine, only one is same size as mine.

 

[Cecilia]

Yeah I've been cking CL. I am moving May 1st to a bigger place so... Thats where we will build the cage. I'm not getting the macaw for a while the guy said he is expecting more in 2-3 months then I have to wait till it's 6-8 weeks... so I have time to build the cage and have everything ready. If I have the cage build It wont need the 55g tank.

 

[ann]

congradulations! i love baby macaws, how the bob their giant heads and honk! they look so clumsy and they always look like there smiling! you sound like you realy have things figured out, good luck and congradulations!

 

[MikeyTN]

When they're that young I really do suggest a tank over a cage. Keeping him warm is the main thing....

 

[Cecilia]

Ah okay.. I was still gonna put the lamp and such... clipped on a perch with a blanket over the top to keep the heat in.

 

[MikeyTN]

In a tank, the heat is controlled to stay in while in the cage the heat escapes pretty quick.

 

[Cecilia]

Okay SOOOO I ran into another dilemma.... *sighs* I WANT A FEMALE macaw.... BUT I want it at no later than 9-10weeks old... Breeders I have spoken with will not sex the birds till they are fully weaned.... SO I do not want to spend close to 1k on a bird and it not be what I want.... -.- WHAT DO I DO?!?!?! Does anyone know a breeder than sexes the birds at a young age.