Considering a blue and gold who has been surrendered

[mcarr]

I have posted in the new member section but think maybe it should be here?

I'm trying to determine the correct bird for us.....the B/G seems to be a match and As you will read below, I have met a 1.5 yr old male once and am going to see him again. The bird store also has a 4 month old female B/G.....and I plan on talking to the owner quite a bit. (She was not there on Saturday when I was there for the first time)

Part of me wonders if a smaller macaw should be considered.....I don't think they had any but the breeder is in Louisiana that the owner works with.

Other than size....what is the big difference?

I do look forward to seeing the B/G that I talk about (below) again this week.

Advice....thoughts??

Here is my intro:

Hello, I'm Michelle. Currently trying to decide whether or not a 1.5 yr old male blue/gold macaw is the bird for me. I've visited him once (1.5 hour drive one way) and plan on seeing him again twice this week. I love him so far....he was in a home with three other macaws and 14 dogs.....and was given to the bird Shop owner (who does very well with birds and knows her stuff).

I've been waiting until a time in my life when I could afford a parrot and when our children were all older. I have had two birds when I was a child/teen....so I have a little experience.

I'm here to learn more......I've spent many hours researching online and think the blue/gold is a good match as far as general personality and whatnot.

We have the space physically but am wondering about his size!

We have a standard poodle, a mini schnauzer, and a senior Siamese cat. Husband and I are both educators....have a regular schedule. The bird ....whatever bird we end up with.....would be alone during the day until it was comfortable to come to school once a week with me....I teach special ed to 4th and 5th grade and think it would be beneficial to bring my bird to school weekly.

I also skydive most weekends....am gone for about 10 hours to do that.......

We sometimes go away overnight....maybe a few times a year....not a lot....so we'd have to take that into account.
Thanks all!
Michelle

 

[MikeyTN]

Welcome to the forum!!!

You guys sound like you have a pretty hefty schedule already, you sure you want to add a bird on top of that? At the beginning of socializing you need to be there as much as you can so that might mean you might have to give up your sky diving for a bit. It is very important to establish that to begin with if you want to have a good relationship with your macaw. Next you need to teach them to be self sufficient to learn to play on their own so they have alone time. Then you need to teach public socializing since you want to bring him to school. Since he is still pretty young, it would be a good time to do so. Their noise is also something to consider! I like to keep my macaws in the living room where we spent most of our time. They're happier there being with the flock. So there is some stuffs for you to consider....

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi Michelle and welcome to the forum.

I don't have experience with mini macs, but can tell you that B&Gs are a whole lot of fun. They are EXTREMELY smart, and LOVE to interact with their people. They can be boisterous, mischievous, ornery and lovable all in one day (heck, even within 5 minutes). :54:

They DO require a whole lot of attention and interaction to be happy. They can also be quite messy, loud and destructive.

Ask yourself how much quality time you can spend with a parrot on a daily basis. Can you provide a routine? Who would look after your bird if you go on vacation?

In my opinion, if there's a will - there's a way.

 

[mcarr]

Thank you. If not a macaw.....what suggestions do you have going off the little info I shared?

I want to make the correct choice for our family and the bird. It may be a different breed, or waiting altogether.

I appreciate the advice.

Michelle

 

[GinaF]

I don't want to discourage anyone to taking in a bird. To me, there's not a whole lot in life that's more fulfilling that the monogomous relationship they form with you.

However, younger birds need A LOT of time and attention. If I weren't at home 24/7 I wouldn't have taken in Blue, who's only 11 months old.

You have to ask yourself if you'll be willing to take time after skydiving all day to play with her. I skydive as well, but I live close to the dropzone, so I'm gone maybe 4 hours at most and I can see the impact on her when I get back. She's not alone though. My 15 year old daughter keeps her company and spends time with her.

Birds who spend too much time alone tend to pluck, develop bad habits, scream and seem to be more moody than ones who have constant interaction.

Mini macaws are just as interesting as a large macaw. They are just as loud and for the most part have the same temperament and personality you'll find in a B&G, only in a smaller body.

 

[mcarr]

Thanks Gina. The dropzone for me is nearly 2 hrs drive one way.

I do worry about our schedule.....maybe time available is not best suited right now for a macaw. I am wondering about that.

My 14 yr old son will be very involved in whatever bird joins us. We would like a friendly, affectionate bird that is a talker. We are in WY and I know of one breed that is illegal here so the Quaker is off the list.

Are smaller birds at a greater risk with dogs and a cat? We'd never have them unsupervised with any bird........but that does concern me.......

Also I want the bird to be able to bond or at least interact with me and my son. He'd really get into training a bird......and would be a huge part of care taking whatever bird we get.

Schedule wise......I'd have time every morning and after school to work with the bird. As would my son. For sure one full day every weekend....more when winter comes because we live in cold Wyoming and there is no skydiving then.

However, we are active people. Am I looking at the wrong breed?

 

[mcarr]

I will talk a lot with the bird store owner this week. I have checked into her and she is known for being excellent. So that will help.

They also have older macaws (from the same home as the blue and gold that i spent time with and already love) and a cockatoo ...... But can't cockatoos be more cantankerous, very sensitive, and moody generally speaking? There is a cockatoo there whose owners hold lots of social gatherings etc....etc....who are more and more often using the bird sitting service offered in the shop and they did say they'd be willing to sell her to the right home. However I am a bit nervous about that breed......not sure why. Just initial impression.

I really did love the blue and gold I have visited. He was a love.....

 

[MikeyTN]

Cockatoo would not fit your schedule trust me! Not saying a B&G can't fit your life style but you should adjust it a bit if you want a B&G in your life. But like I've said, the beginning is super important! If they were taught properly to begin with everything should go pretty good. Then you can resume your skydive since you said your son would be around to care for him??

 

[JerseyWendy]

Without sugar coating it, you may have to sacrifice some of your free time to spend good, quality time - no matter which species of parrot you choose. Parrots are flock animals, they don't thrive when left alone much or for prolonged periods of time. They are highly social and very smart.

You have to build trust, and a well socialized parrot is generally a happy and confident parrot. All this takes time. It doesn't happen overnight.

 

[mcarr]

Yes, son would be super involved.

The B/G came right up to me and my daughter (who was home from college for a visit) and we scratched his head etc.....he is a sweet bird. The gal we talked to said he has a great personality and is very social.

I think the owner will have more info on his history. I left a message on the store phone for her to call me. They are closed sun and mon every week.

We did fall in love with him after spending about a hour with him. However I want to do right by him. This is a lifetime commitment for not only us but our children since the bird would most likely outlive us.

I really can't wait to go see him again. It's a 1.5 hours drive and I'm planning on going (taking son) as soon as we get out of school tomorrow or Wednesday.....we will only have 45 min there before the shop closes but I figured it would be worth the drive. Then on Saturday we will go back again and my husband and other son (who is 19 and has Down syndrome) will also get to spend time with him.

I've spent the entire weekend reading all I can about B/G macaws as compared to other macaws and other parrots. I thought I was pretty certain until I posted here....but I want honest feedback, which you are all giving me and I greatly appreciate!!!

Michelle

 

[GinaF]

The older they are the more settled they are and the lower their expectations. However, in the beginning, you're dealing with an imprint stage where training and socializing is critical. Then, don't forget about the hormonal maturity they go through at about 5-6 years old. This is where you're sweet baby B&G turns into birdzilla. It's also the point where you'll get bit... a lot. The other thing is birds thrive on routine and don't deal well with changes very well. This includes schedule changes. If you're gone a lot in the summer and home in the winter, the transition from winter back to summer could set them off. They like knowing what to expect and when to expect it.

Cockatoo: definitely not. These aren't birds that can handle spending large amounts of time alone. Quite frankly, your lifestyle isn't cut out for them.

An older, large macaw, maybe, but like Mikey said, you'll have to adjust your schedule quite a bit to accommodate one and see to it they remain happy.

I wouldn't take on an African Grey if I were you, either. These birds are fiercely intelligent and demand a lot of interaction and stimulation. Unfortunately, they're the best birds for working with special needs children.

Perhaps an amazon? They aren't quite as needy. Especially an older one.

Have you checked rescue in your area to see what's available and if they have something that fits your lifestyle?

 

[mcarr]

If this helps your advising me, we'd have between 3-6 hours daily to interact with the bird on weekdays......that would be before and after school. On weekends, one day would probably have us home all day except for church, or going to workout etc......the other day on the weekend, may involve about 3 hours interaction at the least, if it was a skydiving/flying day.

Thanks again. You all are great!!

 

[MikeyTN]

3-6 hours is feasible per day! Just don't let him fall in the category where he is just there and the only time you spend on him is to feed and clean.

 

[mcarr]

I'll check into rescue......if there is one in Wyoming. It will be good to talk to the shop owner. There were three other older macaws there who also came from that same house that the B/G came from.

However, on the flip side....wouldn't the 1.5 year old B/G be attached and settled into our family by the time he entered that rough stage of reaching sexual maturity? (That's what my 14 yr old son just asked)

I did read about the time they mature sexually and I don't think that would be fun....however like our other pets, you commit to them through thick and thin.....getting bit would not be pleasant and something I'd enjoy lol.

So, do you all think possibly checking out the older macaws may be wise or waiting till one is available that is older, social, and more settled in its ways?? Or is my sons point above a good one?

My mind works by examining and debating all angles of any decision of significance. Thank you for engaging in this with me. (Shared that to make sure those reading understand that's how I think....as it may come across in text as being wishy-washy)

Michelle

 

[mcarr]

3-6 hours is feasible per day! Just don't let him fall in the category where he is just there and the only time you spend on him is to feed and clean.

Ok. My son is totally into training and would do that daily.....I'd talk to, Scratch/pet and sit with the bird. I'm sure our other son who has special needs would love to pet and talk to the bird. Not sure if husband would get into it or not......daughter would when home from college.

 

[MikeyTN]

Not saying you couldn't socialize a older macaw, but it's NOT as easy as you would with a younger one. Between my two macaws, Willie is 12 and he's at the stage he's gotten crabby and is pretty set in his ways. While Lola the 2 and a half year old is all about fun and games. Willie used to be like that when he was younger but as he mature, he's not as playful as he once was. He have his moment....He enjoys his petting and carrying on with me, he still plays but not like he once did.

 

[GinaF]

Yes and no.

While they're young, they can be attached and bonded to you. However, after maturity, they often times decide they don't like you anymore.

With an older bird, what you see is what you get. They don't typically change too much. It'll take a little work to settle them in, but then it's done. Get on your routine and the only rough patches you'll be looking at is breeding season in the Spring.

Young macaws change as they get older. Sometimes that's not a good thing and the core reason they end up in rescue in the first place.

The other thing that I don't think has been brought up is the level of destruction they can inflict. Not just on you, but on your home, itself. Leave a macaw in a room for 15 minutes and she'll take up every baseboard you have. An hour and you'll be buying new kitchen cabinets. Give her 5 or 6 and you're building a new house. I know you'll intend to not let her unsupervised, however, they're smart enough to escape their cage when you're not home. Older macaws are AS destructive, but still can be. It depends on the bird.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Michelle, please have a look at THIS thread:
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/27542-macaw-chores-big-mess-makers.html

 

[mcarr]

Michelle, please have a look at THIS thread:
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/27542-macaw-chores-big-mess-makers.html

Woah! Big birds do make big messes. I'm glad you showed me that.

Smaller birds need the same time and attention but are easier to clean and do chores for????

Time and attention, we can do that. However add the large bird care, I don't think that is realistic in our lives right now.

Ok......so, what parrot breeds are smaller than the macaw, still super smart, social, and trainable?

You are helping so much!! Thank you thank you!

 

[ShellyBorg]

Greys, I would recommend a Timneh African Grey over a congo for you . I work with both and own a TAG and they are supper smart but not AS needy as there bigger cousin. Amazons can be amazing and don't overlook the smaller mini macaws.