Can anyone recommend a Yellow Collared Macaw Breeder?

[GreatBlue320]

Hi Everyone,

I'm still in decision mode as far as what type of bird to add to our family. I've been considering the Hahns Macaw, Yellow Collared Macaw, BTM and RFM.

If I'm being realistic, I think the BTM and RFM are just too big (sometimes being realistic is no fun). And, while I really love the Hahns, I would like something a little larger.

So, I'd like to speak to a breeder about a YCM. Unfortunately, I am having a very difficult time finding a breeder. I've seen YCMs for sale at large retail stores in Florida (via their websites), but I would prefer to get a bird from a smaller breeder.

Does anyone have a breeder they could recommend?

Thanks so much!

 

[chris-md]

No help here but some commiseration. Im looking myself, and I'm tortured by choices in this size range as well. Particularly illigers, red fronts (from what I've read and based on short pms with someone on this forum, they are probably the best macaws and worth making the space for), and Eclectus. Some days I'm not even sure I want much more imposing than a large conure. I also can't really decide if I want more of a dependent energetic dog personality type or independent mellow feline personality type.

The struggle is real folks! Good luck in you search

 

[GreatBlue320]

Thank you, chris-md for the commiseration! Everything you wrote expressed EXACTLY what I am feeling.

Sometimes the decision seems so impossible that the only good decision to make is NOT to get a bird at all!

All the best to you in your search, as well.

 

[Birdman666]

Honestly, RFMs and BTMs are the easiest of the macaws to work with.

YCM's are great birds, and one of the best mini macs out there. The problem is FINDING ONE... There weren't that many imported and there aren't many people breeding these little guys.

Yellow Collar Macaws For Sale

These guys have them, but I don't know what kind of a breeding operation this is. They do sell unweaned chicks, so I can tell you my opinion of them is already biased NOT in their favor...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUXeE6da9E4"]Alex, Yellow Collared Macaw click, speak, tap - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1fGja6PXBk"]Corkie TheTalking Miniature Yellow Collared Macaw: "Ring The Damn Bell!" ©Karla K. Larsson - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJx2JItGDdQ"]Yellow collared macaw as workout partner - YouTube[/ame]

Three different birds, same interactive, playful little clowns... IT'S THE GOOFBALL FACTOR I love most about macaws.

 

[GreatBlue320]

Thanks, Birdman!

Yeah, saw these guys when I Googled and wasn't too sure about them either. They seem to breed A LOT of birds which makes me wonder if they aren't more of a "factory". My preference would be to get my bird from a very small breeder that has the time spend with the bird one-on-one so that its individual needs are recognized and met (i.e it is weaned on its own schedule, it is allowed to fledge). Makes me a little nervous.

So, I guess I'm looking for a breeder exactly like Wendy's Parrots that has YCMs! Probably doesn't exist!

 

[Birdman666]

That's the problem. These little guys can be hard to come by.

I personally don't know anyone breeding them. I do know someone that's had one as a velcro/go everywhere bird for more than ten years. They're very good "pet quality" macaws. You just don't see them much...

And yeah, that's the impression I got as well. Bird mill or broker. I don't know them though, so I'm speaking out of turn. But I HATE the practice of selling unweaned birds with a passion! So, that, in and of itself, would be enough to make me wary...

 

[Weezerj]

I was looking for a breeder a couple of months ago and didn't find anyone that had eggs or chicks. A few "check back later"s...I ended up finding a young Illiger's at a rescue, so I stopped by search. Good luck. There is a facebook group of YCM owners, you could try to get a potential breeder from them.

 

[Birdman666]

In the meantime, Wendy has three red front babies available now...

Red-Front

Red fronts are not HUGE birds. They're actually a very nice size...

Again, my perception has been somewhat thrown off by Hys and GW Macs...

 

[GreatBlue320]

Good idea, Weezerj! I will see if the Facebook group can help me out.

It's great that you were able to find your Loki at a rescue! We used to have a rescue here in my town, but it had to close its doors, unfortunately.

 

[Birdman666]

I found one here in San Antonio... accepting egg deposits.

yellow collared macaw

 

[GreatBlue320]

Thanks again, Birdman!

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm sure a good, ethical breeder for YCM "exists". You can really get most any species here in the US, and there are more breeders out there than we might realize.

BUT the problem is... Many of the "good" breeders do not advertise as far and wide as a "bad" operations who concentrate on quantity over quality, and brokers who commonly work with a network of unscrupulous types.

Many "good" breeders are small home operations and might not even have a website unfortunately, and aren't nearly as well known as Wendy of Wendy's Parrots. If this is the species you want, I'd keep scouring the internet for websites with breeder directories.

I can also ask Omar's Exotic Birds out here for you. He is a quality breeder, and either breeds his own birds for the stores, OR works with only quality, trusted breeders. In his stores I've seen YCM before, and in fact I see rare or uncommon species of all kinds on a fairly regular basis at his stores.

 

[GreatBlue320]

If you wouldn't mind asking Omar's Exotic Birds, RavensGryf, I would really appreciate it!!!

Thanks for offering - very nice of you!

 

[GreatBlue320]

Well, gave Helen at Helen's Little Critters a call... she doesn't breed birds anymore. The page was from 2007! I hope my call prompts her to take that page down.

Thanks for taking time to do some searching for me, Birdman!

 

[Birdman666]

Well, gave Helen at Helen's Little Critters a call... she doesn't breed birds anymore. The page was from 2007! I hope my call prompts her to take that page down.

Thanks for taking time to do some searching for me, Birdman!

2007?! That's a long time to be taking egg deposits...

"Dang! How much longer before this thing hatches... "

"Just shut up and keep sitting on it!"

Yeah, they kinda should take that page down... or at least update it a little!

y'think?!

 

[RavensGryf]

If you wouldn't mind asking Omar's Exotic Birds, RavensGryf, I would really appreciate it!!!

Thanks for offering - very nice of you!

Yes! I can make a call for you. It's no problem . I'll PM you later...

 

[GreatBlue320]

Thank you so much, RavensGryf!

 

[Birdman666]

Apparently there is a big bird store near you called Featherlust Farms. They might know breeders in the area if you call them.

 

[FreddyCheeks]

Not sure if your interested, but one popped up on CL in AC nj. Says it's 4yr old