How to get a free macaw

[Alwese]

I see a number of posts in other threads where people have some bird but are wishing to 'step up' and have a macaw but cannot due to financial constraints etc. You have already proven yourself as being a bird enthusiast and likely have the 'right stuff' to make yourself a macaw person. Those traits do not necessarily go hand in hand with someone who is well off financially to got out and just buy the macaw they want. Certainly there are many out there who DO have the financial means and later find that owning a macaw is more responsibility than what they care to invest in their time. Two of my three macaws I paid nothing for. My first bird; Doogie the Catalina was owned by my family doctor whose children had teased him into being a real biter so that they no longer wanted him. I can tell you that although macaws have a good memory and a rehomed bird will carry some baggage with it, they CAN be rehabilitated into a loving wonderful bird. Sometimes it takes a little time. Doogie is now that bird and is 19 years old; I got him when he was 4. My second bird Kayko a B&G was owned by a lady from England who died when he was 13. The woman's daughter took him in, but really didn't want him. She was far more interested in riding her Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Kayko lived a very lonely existance in the back room of her house for 7 years. She saw me at the beach with Doogie and wanted someone to have him that would spend time with him and gave him to me. After certifying that I was indeed a 'macaw person' I then purchased my Scarlet; Clifford. Once you have one macaw you immediately become a magnet to attract other people who have macaws. I am out in public with my birds weekly to share the experience of holding them and hear their speech. If I were to take every macaw that has been offered to me while doing this I would have 9 macaws right now. I was offered two Amazon parrots just last night when I was at Riverside Park. Macaws live a very long time and people's situations change; kids go off to college, people get cancer and divorced and macaw pets do not always fit into life's changes. To connect with these people I have a couple of suggestions: First, if you have avian veterinarians in your area, they usually have a cork board in their office. Use your computer skills and make up some business cards or a sheet you can post on that board outlining your desire to be a forever home for their macaw and possibly list your experience with other birds to show you are serious and not just looking for something to make money on. Also if you have a zoo in your area, they are constantly getting requests to take animals and birds no longer able to be cared for. A card with your phone number on it just might land you a bird. I was talking with a lady at the park last night that works for our zoo, and they now have a Hyacinth as it's previous owner had a stroke and is no longer able to care for it. There are also bird rescue places to look into. Everyone wants that baby bird but don't overlook the possibility of being the person to save an older bird. He will likely outlive your grandchildren anyway..... Al

 

[khaiqha]

Good post, but you should probably add in the expense of owning a macaw. Though I could just buy a b&g right now, I know I can't afford the extra large toys/cage/travel cage for one. That and I don't have near a large enough home.

 

[008kenichijouji]

Very true! I acquired my sun conure by a friend of my 2nd cousin, and now I'll be getting a B&G because of a freak encounter; in both cases, free cages, free toys, and free birds!

As for the macaw, I was on a business trip, and decided to make the 3 hour trek to a bird store outside of Chicago. I immediately went to the aviary area and began playing with the birds in there. The owner could see I was more than just the typical curious customer, and she brought out a baby cockatoo for me to hold and play with. I felt so honored! It didn't want me to leave, but I definitely didn't have money for start up costs...

I ended up buying a toy for my conure, and got to talking to the lady about how I eventually want to "upgrade" to macaw ownership by starting with a B&G. I was about to leave, and she mentioned how a guy recently called the shop and was looking for a permanent owner for his B&G! I kinda just took the comment as fleeting, and gave my phone number out with no thought of actually taking in the bird (thinking my family would never allow such a big bird...I'm the biggest enthusiast in the house). However, I told my family about it, and they were so excited, and now this Saturday, I'm visiting Thor the B&G for the 2nd time! I can't wait until he's ready to come home with me. I've been researching, learning, and dreaming of this moment for over a year! I never thought it'd come so soon, and for no start up costs!

I think it's a good idea to seek out local pet stores and get in touch with them too. I never thought about it until I got this opportunity!

 

[plax]

Very true! I acquired my sun conure by a friend of my 2nd cousin, and now I'll be getting a B&G because of a freak encounter...

I love to hear about Macaws in need (and other parrots) finding great homes Congratulations!

 

[008kenichijouji]

I love to hear about Macaws in need (and other parrots) finding great homes Congratulations!

Me too, and thank you! Eventually, I'd like one starting out as a baby, so I have that experience "from the ground up" so to speak, but these guys just fell into my lap, and I couldn't turn them down! They're just great birds.

 

[Molcan2]

Great advice! I know exactly how you feel about turning down free ones, except that I'm a Too magnent, all I have ever wanted was a GW, ended up being given my M2 and I have turned down five toos that have since been offered to be given to me. Also dont discount craigslist, I got Rocco free with his cage from CL. Personally unless its from a rescue, i refuse to pay a rehome fee, usually birds for sale for rehoming have never been to a vet. I think what you posted were some great ideas that could help some birds get homes.

 

[Merlee]

Personally unless its from a rescue, i refuse to pay a rehome fee, usually birds for sale for rehoming have never been to a vet.

That's interesting to know! How do you work that into the conversation with the bird's owner?

 

[Alwese]

I have never discovered the joys of Craigslist, but I hear a lot about it and possibly I would add that as a means of finding a bird. Secretly I would love for some rich person with a Hy to see what I am doing with children and my birds in public and give me their Hy to demo on kids arms. I am certainly not independently wealthy, but I am grateful to God for the gifts of free birds he has given me that have given me a real joy to share

 

[JerseyWendy]

I hope you don't mind me posting this here, Alwese, but I think it might fit in.

On Monday my GF and I were at the vet with her Rotti puppies. After they took the puppies in the back we started talking about our birds. My GF has 2 Galahs. Out of the blue the receptionist cut us off and asked if either one of us was interested in a "green" Amazon for FREE with cage.

To make a long story short, we picked up the Amazon today. She's a GORGEOUS Yellow Nape, age really unknown, but guesstimated around 20+. No band on her. First trip was to Avian vet. Of course she doesn't have any cultures or blood results yet, but "Ivy" appears to be in excellent health.

She's bilingual, believe it or not. She sang "la cucaracha" for us for a while followed by "Somewhere over the Rainbow".

Here is Ivy, the absolute FREE Amazon.

So, sometimes you just have to be at the right place at the right time and a bird may actually just fall into your lap

 

[Alwese]

NO I certainly don't mind your posting. This is OUR board for the promotion of birding. That is a good looking Amazon you got there and proof how if people know you are a "bird person" you can walk right into many rehome situations. We all just need to create situations where people know we are open to receiving birds. I have seen several Amazons that are real talkers and even sing entire songs. Vicky Smith in birdclub had an Amazon that would sing two songs in Portugese! I believe Amazons can live or have lived even longer than Macaws

 

[BillsBirds]

This is true! I have rescued dozens of birds for over 45 years, and have paid for very few of them. And the ones I did pay for were only as a last resort to get them away from their despicable conditions. Many rescues start with a phone call from someone with a bird with beautiful cage for sale. After telling them I do not BUY birds, I RESCUE them, they hang up. Two weeks later, another call, and the bird & cage is cheaper. Next call, the bird is cheap & the cage is free. And eventually, I'm asked to PLEASE come get this bird. If you get the word out that you take in unwanted birds, you will get leads. Just be realistic, and do not take in more than you can handle. I've seen birds that get passed around from one well intentioned person to another. Which, in the end, is cruel to the poor bird.

 

[Alwese]

I love your quote at the bottom of your post Bill; I'll use that!!!

 

[Alisana]

Good post, but you should probably add in the expense of owning a macaw. Though I could just buy a b&g right now, I know I can't afford the extra large toys/cage/travel cage for one. That and I don't have near a large enough home.

Yeah, cost is a big thing. While I'm not aiming to 'deter' people from macaws, when people ask about how they can get one, I point out the expense to them.

My current example:

Hahns Macaw: $1200
Cage: $579
Toys: $100-500 (on going cost)
Vet Checkups: $60-$1000
Microchipping: $90
Registration: $300
Perches: $100-200
Food: Varies, about $15-50
Travel Cage: $100
Food bowls: $50
Air Filter: $200
etc...

 

[Alwese]

I was at a very large "Fall Festival" at a church in the south towns Saturday where people buy pumpkins for Halloween and they have a huge amount of craft vendors selling their wares. They also had a very nice Marimba band playing those Trinidad steel drums. I fit right in with their Carribean feel next to the band with my Scarlet; Clifford and my B&G Kayko, putting them on people's arms for cell phone pictures. While I was there, a girl approached me and said her co-worker had two macaws in need of rehoming; a GW and a B&G. I gave her my card and this girl called me tonight. She has rescued these two macaws from a girlfriend of hers that is a little down on her luck and was feeding the birds nothing but cornflakes. She took the birds in to give them proper care and has 16 parrots of her own. As it turns out, she says the B&G is a female and is a little plucked (age unknown) and the GW is hoping to be returned to the origional owner when her economic conditions improve. She wants this B&G to go to a forever home, but I really do not have room here for yet another bird, plus my wife would likely divorce me. Anyone near Jacksonville Florida in search of a Blue and Gold macaw (which I have not yet seen) that can give a loving forever home, please contact me .... Al

 

[newtobirds]

Free with cage and 50# of food. Added him to my cre 2 weeks ago.

Obviously a project, but he is very sweet to me.

 

[vijayvj]

can u offer me this for free....pls offer me

 

[008kenichijouji]

Secretly I would love for some rich person with a Hy to see what I am doing with children and my birds in public and give me their Hy to demo on kids arms. I am certainly not independently wealthy, but I am grateful to God for the gifts of free birds he has given me that have given me a real joy to share

THAT IS SO FUNNY! I've had the same "secret" thought, for the same reason! I still am set on saving for a hy someday... But I'm forever thankful to God for allowing me to have my sun conure, and soon my B&G...for free!

I went to a local maple syrup festival, and there was a guy doing an animal show, and I thought, "I'd love to do that, but with parrots!" Gotta spread the love and knowledge of my bird pals. Haha. I want a lot of animals that I can honestly care for (without blowing my energy! but I have loads of that...), so I can teach people more about them, and maybe my kids too someday.

 

[shubham]

if some one is here who can give me a free macaw parrots then please contact me i will keep birds at my home and take care of them for life time please contact me

 

[antoinette]

can u offer me this for free....pls offer me

Why not try to get one through a rescue centre?

 

[antoinette]

if some one is here who can give me a free macaw parrots then please contact me i will keep birds at my home and take care of them for life time please contact me

Why not try to get one through a rescue centre?