Hyacinth Macaw Thoughts and Opinions

[sonja]

I am just starting to seriously toy with the idea of getting a Hyacinth macaw. It has always been a "someday" dream, but with them likely being added to the Lacey Act in the next few months, I thought I would look into it now to see what shakes out.

So, I'd love any opinions from everyone on where best to get a Hy, thoughts on the Lacey Act, any other information you just think might be interesting or important to know.

I would only be looking for a pet, any age or gender, special needs are OK. Obviously the biggest factor in the short term is the cost, but I wanted to educate myself some more and see where that puts me.

Thanks!

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I LOVE LOVE Hyacinths but given the cost, i have never even entertained the idea of having one. (I simply cannot afford it, period.) I know they can be hard to breed if the climate isn't right. My A vet has breeding pair(s) of them with limited breeding success.

 

[wenz2712]

I love Hyacinths... If I win the lottery one day, then I will have one

 

[noblemacaw]

Please excuse my ignorance but how is the "Lacey Act" affecting the parrot breeding within the United States? What I am trying to say is if a parrot is bred in the US and owned by me only in another state is this affecting me? I have a RFM which is the third rarest macaw in the world.

Someday I toy with the idea of getting a Golden Conure. The only way I can really get one is to drive to the state/breeder of them and get the parrot this way. I think my best bet is to find a parrot that has the same personality traits as the Golden Conure and be happy with that parrot. LOL.

I hope down the line it will not be illegal to have my Valentino.

 

[JKF8]

Sonja,

I would suggest not getting a HM unless you can provide it a safe full flighted area in your home or provide it with a good size outdoor aviary either year round or as much as possible. They also require, as far as I know, a more specialized diet which can be a bit expensive considering the nuts they need or should have.

Perhaps current or past board owners of Hys will chime in soon.

 

[JKF8]

There is another way N.B.,

Maybe someone who breeds the Golden Conure will be passing through your state and can bring you one?

Do you mind saying what state you are in?

 

[noblemacaw]

Not at all..I am in Minnesota. I have heard there is a breeder in Illinois but I have not "pushed" my research because I just got my Valentino. Down the line I would LOVE to get one but right now as I see it seems extremely difficult due to the logistics involved in acquiring one.

 

[WharfRat]

I would suggest not getting a HM unless you can provide it a safe full flighted area in your home or provide it with a good size outdoor aviary either year round or as much as possible. They also require, as far as I know, a more specialized diet which can be a bit expensive considering the nuts they need or should have.

I'm kind of curious where you got this info from? Why would a Hy need these requirements and a Green Wing wouldn't? (or any large macaw)

 

[LakeDesire]

I've heard they are pretty challenging birds. I think it would be possible to get one from a rescue or rehome. I do know someone who rescued a hyacinth macaw. At the time I met his bird I didn't realize they cost $15,000 or I would have asked more questions about how she ended up abandoned!

 

[WharfRat]

I'm sure Plax will be along shortly to comment, he has a Hy along with others

 

[plax]

I would suggest not getting a HM unless you can provide it a safe full flighted area in your home or provide it with a good size outdoor aviary either year round or as much as possible. They also require, as far as I know, a more specialized diet which can be a bit expensive considering the nuts they need or should have.

I'm kind of curious where you got this info from? Why would a Hy need these requirements and a Green Wing wouldn't? (or any large macaw)

Here's my opinion. Hyacinth Macaws do not require more room or flight space than do Green-wing Macaws, or other Macaws of similar size. I live with a flighted Hyacinth Macaw and I believe he gets plenty enough flight and flapping activity to keep himself quite healthy. I'd as well be curious to know what JKF8's claim is based upon.

As for diet, Hys require less protein and more fats (from certain nuts) than do other Macaw species. You can purchase in-shell macadamia nuts from the growers for very reasonable cost. I typically get 25 to 50 pounds of them per year.

I consider my decision to acquire Zaf almost 8 years ago to be the best decision I've ever made. He's happy and healthy and he's my very best friend!

 

[sonja]

Noble--- The Lacey Act says that a person can not transport the listed animal across state lines. It is perfectly legal to own the animal, though, if you obtain it legally. So, you would have to find a breeder, or rehome, in your state to get your Golden conure from. Or, you can get a permit to buy one from an out of state breeder, but both you and the breeder must obtain the permit. Even if you drive to another state to pick up the bird, you must have the permit to bring it back across state lines to your home state.

JKF8 --- I am not new to macaws, and would certainly do everything in my power to meet the needs of a new one, of any species, that comes to live with me.

Lake--- $15,000 is on the high end of the price range. They can be found for $8000-10,000 quite easily, and occasionally one can be found for a bit less than that. Still a hefty investment, though. I do think I could get one as a rehome, but from a rescue is going to be almost impossible---in the rare cases they are given up to rescues, the rescuer keeps them! As I would!

Plax --- thanks for the info. Did you get Zaf as a baby from a breeder, or a rehome? If it was a breeder, do you mind sharing who it was?

Thanks, Everyone!

 

[plax]

Plax --- thanks for the info. Did you get Zaf as a baby from a breeder, or a rehome? If it was a breeder, do you mind sharing who it was?

You're welcome. I got Zaf as an adult. His previous owner passed away and Zaf had been placed in boarding by the widow. He was there for about one year prior to my becoming aware of him. He was 16 in 2005, so he's now 23. I have no information on his breeder. I attempted to track down the individual years ago but was unsuccessful.

 

[JKF8]

http://theparrotuniversity.com/flight.php

I would suggest everyone read this article in its entirety and other articles/studies regarding parrots/birds and full flight.

I have seen this to be true during my 25 years of parrot keeping experience.

I keep and have kept many many different species of parrots and I never clip any of my birds. I have taken in parrots that have been clipped and I clearly see the difference in the two groups.

To me it is all common sense anyway, even without articles or studies.

"........................I live with a flighted Hyacinth Macaw and I believe he gets plenty enough flight and flapping activity to keep himself quite healthy. I'd as well be curious to know what JKF8's claim is based upon.................."

 

[plax]

Flighted Parrots - Thinking on the Wing by Steve Hartman ***The Parrot University

I would suggest everyone read this article in its entirety and other articles/studies regarding parrots/birds and full flight.

The site will not load for me. It's currently timing out...

The connection has timed out
      
          The server at theparrotuniversity.com is taking too long to respond.

It looks to be a Hartman Aviaries URL, though. I'm assuming the article was written by Steve Hartman?

I have seen this to be true during my 25 years of parrot keeping experience.

I keep and have kept many many different species of parrots and I never clip any of my birds. I have taken in parrots that have been clipped and I clearly see the difference in the two groups.

To me it is all common sense anyway, even without articles or studies.

Yes, I try to use common sense coupled with my own experience. I've had my Blue & Gold since 1981 and my Military since 1982. I've not once clipped either of them. None of my 4 are clipped

 

[JKF8]

Yes, I know what you mean. After I posted the link I then tried to open it from my own post and it would not open the first couple of times but the third time it did.

I personally think that article is so important that the mods and Admins here should make it a sticky.

 

[WharfRat]

the following are a few of my breeders certifications:

Specialist in Bird Biology from Cornell University & Certified in Avian Disease Prevention from USDA, Level 1 & 2 Certified by AFA, Certified Avian Specialist. Member of: AFA, Amazona Society, Macaw Society, National Caged Bird Organization, and others.

She would entirely disagree with this, I disagree as well, all my birds are fully flighted and very healthy, as well as on a diet taught to me by my breeder. Last count she had about 100 birds (she also runs a rescue) She only deals with Macaws, Amazons & Toos, Her "personal" birds or pets if you will, are all clipped (about 10 I believe total). She has been at it well over 25 years and is a well respected person in the "professional" avian arena.

 

[plax]

Yes, I know what you mean. After I posted the link I then tried to open it from my own post and it would not open the first couple of times but the third time it did.

I personally think that article is so important that the mods and Admins here should make it a sticky.

Well, it would be up to you to ask them I suppose. I can tell you that you will find mixed opinions here on whether or not to clip. I'm unsure what the moderators positions may be on the subject, however.

 

[JKF8]

I would assume that the Mods/Admins or some of them read all our posts so if they think important enough to make a sticky, then they will I guess.

Yes, I know, there will always be "mixed opinions" and arguments/discussions/debates etc. over what is best for the birds themselves = keeping a bird fully flighted or clipped.

I am sure the birds themselves would be in the full flight corner rooting on the non-clippers, if they could, as Nature intended them to fly not be clipped in someone's living room as a toy, conversation piece, object of a human's affection or need, when they would prefer otherwise in my experience.

I think it is so important for the birds that we always talk about this subject because I have personally seen over the years (on these bird boards) that previous staunch supporters of clipping have changed their ways over the years = just from reading all the posts and studies on the subject. I honestly can say that no one I know of has started clipping their birds wings (if they were fully flighted before) after reading all the talk back and forth on the subject.

Everyone of course will do what they please with their own birds. My position is to only express and share with everyone what I personally believe, from 25 years of first-hand experience, keeping many many fully flighted parrots and keeping clipped parrots too, the ones that have come to me that way.

I personally mainly value the most opinions and experiences of people (regarding full flight vs. clipping) who have themselves kept many parrots both ways, in good sized aviaries and not just in a lab, indoors or in a cage or similar. I am not referring to anyone mentioned here specifically or anyone in anyone's posts specifically = just saying in general.

 

[JKF8]

So out of curiosity, if I am reading you correctly, why don't you then clip all your "fully flighted birds"?

Both sides of the fence can produce people with so called credentials who say this or that. Often some people with credentials have their own agendas why they say what they do or do what they do.

I am not going to waste my time anymore debating people on the subject as often many people seem to me to be so clue-less as to what is best for birds. All they want to do it seems to me is to try and defend what they are doing to their birds (clipping for whatever reason), maybe out of deep seeded guilt or what (?), I don't know as every case is different.

No offense meant to anyone here for what they believe, all I am doing now is discussing what I have had proven to me is best for parrots in general. Just sharing my experiences, take what I have to say as food for thought or leave it = up to you. JMO.

the following are a few of my breeders certifications:

Specialist in Bird Biology from Cornell University & Certified in Avian Disease Prevention from USDA, Level 1 & 2 Certified by AFA, Certified Avian Specialist. Member of: AFA, Amazona Society, Macaw Society, National Caged Bird Organization, and others.

She would entirely disagree with this, I disagree as well, all my birds are fully flighted and very healthy, as well as on a diet taught to me by my breeder. Last count she had about 100 birds (she also runs a rescue) She only deals with Macaws, Amazons & Toos, Her "personal" birds or pets if you will, are all clipped (about 10 I believe total). She has been at it well over 25 years and is a well respected person in the "professional" avian arena.