Do you know of a Hyacinth?

[sonja]

Hi Everyone, I'm reaching out to see what forum members may have up their sleeves! In short, I am looking for a Hyacinth macaw. My "ideal" would be a 10ish year old male re-home. But, since Hys tend to be few and far between, I thought I'd ask if any forum members know where some Hys may be hiding - in pet stores near you, potential rehomes, etc.

I'm scouring the classifieds daily, but of course 90% of the ads are scams and it doesn't seem that most pet stores post on classifieds, so I'm afraid I'm missing some birds that I should be considering.

Someone here has given me a lead on one in CA (Thanks, RG!), that I am pursuing, but are there any others anyone knows of??? Adults, or babies, I'd love to hear about them!!

Thanks for any help!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Sonja, you may want to try Fancy Feathers in Blackwood, NJ.
Welcome to Fancy Feathers!
Ursula (store owner and breeder) has Hys, and at one time she had one that needed re-homing. I'm sure "Zeus" has found a home by now (that was 5 years ago), but she may be able to help you locate what you are looking for.

 

[sonja]

Thanks, I've been in touch with her. I've written to probably 20 people up and down the East Coast.
In another thread on this forum, someone mentioned one in a bird shop that hadn't come up on any of my Google searches, so that's what I'm hoping for by posting this thread - that someone will have seen one at their local bird shop, or even an owner who may need to rehome.

 

[Birdman666]

Those are hard to come by...

I'm on the wrong coast for that anyway. People who get Hys rarely rehome.

 

[RavensGryf]

You didn't get an answer yet? Still crossing my fingers for you. Again, if this one isn't avail. keep calling the 4 stores. They'll have rehomes several times a year. I've seen it with my own eyes . Actually, maybe Kim can get you in touch with Omar for some insight into how/where to obtain a rehome? Since he breeds, he probably has connections. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Kiwibird]

Wow! I wish you luck in finding one!

I bet they don't come up for adoption too often. They are such expensive birds I bet all but the most dedicated owners even consider them seriously, so probably not a whole lot of "this bird is driving me nuts" kind of rehoming going on like more common species are. If you haven't already, I would make sure you leave contact info with the rescues, pet stores and breeders you contact. If they know they have a serious potential home for a HY, they may call you first before letting anyone else know the bird is up for sale or adoption. I know zons are common, but the rescue we went through didn't have any when we were looking for a bird. They got in contact with us though as soon as Kiwi came up (before anyone else knew about him) because we were first on the waiting list when a zon came up!

 

[sonja]

Kiwibird - I've been leaving my name EVERYWHERE except bathroom walls! I come from a rescue background, but I know very well that I will have to buy one - any rescue that is lucky enough to get one will not be adopting him out! Even Best Friends in Utah keeps the ones they get in.
But maybe I'll happen upon someone who is getting up in age and unable to care for theirs any more. Or moving. Or something.
The more feelers I put out, the more chance I have!

 

[Timothy]

I recommend Todd Marcus Birds Exotic, in Delran, New Jersey. I worked for him for a few years, and i know first hand that the employees there care about their animals. Todd has a lot of consignment birds, and he has many contacts. Tell them Tim, a former employee referred you. He always negotiates the prices, especially if you get a cage along with the bird. Another store in Burlington NJ is Bird Paradise, I personally have never shopped there as they were a competitor of Todds so i can't say anything about their quality, but besides rumors which are only rumors i guess, i have heard good things.

 

[Timothy]

Also, is there a specific reason for the 10 year guideline? I have heard reports of Hyacinth Macaws living to be over a hundred years old. Sadly, the diets of parrots in captivity has been very poor, even in this past century. We just didn't know enough about them for proper nutrition. If a hyacinth can live that long eating a poor diet, i can only imagine how long they could possibly live. Once a bird reaches maturity, their personality is pretty reliable unless something traumatic happens to them. Just keep that in mind, i wouldn't want you to pass up a 20+ year old Hyacinth based on it's age, because every macaw is different, and you may find an amazing bird that is 40 years old.

Anyway, i wish you luck! Hyacinths stand up to their nickname, the gentle giant. They are great companion parrots. It's sad that there are so few left in the wild. Fortunately there is a larger number in captivity, which can be sent back to the wild if we can fix the palm nut problem. Parrots can't be domesticated. They keep their wild instincts regardless of being born in captivity. If we can fix their habitat they would flourish in nature.

 

[sonja]

Thanks, Timothy - I've been in touch with both TM and BP. TM has one now, but I was a bit turned off that he stopped responding after my second email when I asked a very basic question - if I'm going to give someone a jillion dollars, I'd expect them to be responsive to normal questions!

No real reason for the 10 year guideline. I have actually talked to someone about a 30 year old. Although they can live for 100 years, sadly 50-60 seems to be more common in captivity, but as we learn more about diet that should be stretched longer and longer. I actually love senior animals and I'm very open to getting one. I guess my only hesitation is that because I won't know the diet the bird had for the first 40 years, I don't want to lose my very expensive buddy in 10 years. But, again, I am eager to consider any Hys that need a home, young or old!

 

[thekarens]

There's a male that's in the 10-15 age range at Adventures in Birds in Houston. I pet/groom him every time I'm in there. He's been there a while.

 

[RavensGryf]

TM has one now, but I was a bit turned off that he stopped responding after my second email when I asked a very basic question - if I'm going to give someone a jillion dollars, I'd expect them to be responsive to normal questions!

Is it too far from you to drive to that part of NJ to talk to them in person? I'm thinking he probably thought (wrong) that you might have been just another newbie inquiring about the Hyacinth. You're right, they should not assume anything of anyone, and realize that like you say, if an experienced owner is genuinely interested in parting with a decent amount of cash that of course they're going to ask a bunch of questions basic or otherwise!

I hear you about patronizing businesses that turn us off... I hate it, but then again if they have what I want I will usually still pursue it.

 

[Timothy]

I will admit, Todd and the gang tend to shy away from people who they view as inexperienced when it comes to parrots. If they don't think you meet their standards they wont respond. (they are sick of seeing birds come back or be mistreated)

It's probably a misunderstanding.

 

[sonja]

Thanks, Gang. Karen, I wrote about the one in Houston - waiting for a response.

Timothy, they have no idea whether I'm experienced or if I want to make BBQ Hyacinth since we exchanged exactly 1 email where I asked if they had a Hy and he sent back a pic and a price. I wrote back asking if she was ready to go home yet and got no response. Oh well. I am a couple hours away and have been there once. I may make another trip at some point.

 

[Timothy]

their phone number is 1-856-764-2473 - ask for Kathy or Todd.