Hyacinth Macaws - who has one?

[JRD2015]

Hi,

Just reviewing some threads from over the last couple years and was looking for any updates.

Who here has a Hyacinth?

Hope to hear from some people!

Thanks,
John

 

[JRD2015]

No one? Really?

 

[thekarens]

No one? Really?

I don't know of anyone on the forum who is active and has a Hy.

 

[getwozzy]

No one? Really?

Nope, nobody. [emoji53]

 

[Mekaisto]

I think there was a user once who had a pet Hy, but I don't think they're active.
Keep in mind these are very high maintenance, expensive birds!

I could help answer questions if you have any?

 

[JRD2015]

Hi,

Just really looking to talk to a person who actually owns one. I found at least one user who posted over the last year, so when I can actually PM someone, I will try reaching out.

Thanks,
John

 

[Birdman666]

That person lost their bird about a year or so ago to an illness, and hasn't been on the board since.

I've played with them, and I know a few breeders, but I don't own one, nor can I afford one. They're big, fun, goofy, personable birds with an enormous amount of bite pressure. They're specialized feeders. They require stainless steel cages. They require a firm hand, just like any macaw...

And just like any macaw, if they sense fear, good luck handling even the mushiest of them...

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi,

Just really looking to talk to a person who actually owns one. I found at least one user who posted over the last year, so when I can actually PM someone, I will try reaching out.

Thanks,
John

Sorry, you may just be out of luck. We had several active members with Hys. Some haven't posted in a long time, others have lost posting privileges. Good luck to you though.

 

[JRD2015]

Appreciate this follow-up info. I understand the investment and I have had a macaw sometime ago (finished hand feeding when daughter was an infant).

I have contacted the breeders mentioned by both Birdman and Wendy (thank you both again!). Just thought it would be nice to actually talk to someone that has had a pet hyacinth for a while . . . .

Interesting - and I don't want to veer off this thread (maybe I should?) - but I see after doing some further research that the Hyacinth may be subject to the ESA and maybe that is a factor (has to be a concern for any legitimate breeder and thus maybe solved my question). I mention that because I was also researching the blue-throated macaw and discovered that the blue-throat is already under the ESA.

WOW - have things changed since I had my BandG.

J

 

[fergie]

I have a 8 month old male, which I got when he was 6 months fully weaned. His name is Ringo...

Pic..

 

[LeaKP]

I have a 8 month old male, which I got when he was 6 months fully weaned. His name is Ringo...

Pic..

Now that's a beautiful bird and tank behind him. Wow, gorgeous! Thanks for posting that. I've always been so anxious to meet one, don't think here I could ever have one (I live in Malawi) but enjoy looking at the pictures.

 

[wrench13]

Welcome Fergie, your Hy look wonderful.. If you feel comfortable, please share what he( she) is like. They are so rare almost none of us have had the opportunity to interact with one.

@JRD - tell me about ESA - my own yellow shoulder 'zon is ESA regulated. But I would a paid double what I did, for the little amazon, called Salty.

 

[fergie]

Welcome Fergie, your Hy look wonderful.. If you feel comfortable, please share what he( she) is like. They are so rare almost none of us have had the opportunity to interact with one.
Sure... I have had greenwings before , so I can compare the two. Where I bought ringo from did a great job socializing him and bringing him up the correct way. Ringo to me is a little more laid back. He is not as noisy as the greenwings i have had. Altho the way they brought him up might of helped in this area. They are deffinitly chewers. He is now realizing the power of his beak. Chews thru wood alot. His diet is a little more complex. Have to feed mac nuts everyday. Still trying different foods to feed pellets fruits ect. They are deffinitly more exspensive as i'm sure you know.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

I have a 8 month old male, which I got when he was 6 months fully weaned. His name is Ringo...

Pic..

Wow he is Gorgeous. I hsve never met one...Awesome pic .thanks for sharing.

 

[Mariar]

Again thank you for sharing the pix of ringo..how amazing those birds are...you are definitely going to be a popular person ...now that we know you own a hy!!!! Lol I've always wanted to hold one.

 

[Terry57]

Ringo is gorgeous! And that tank is awesome as well, thank you for sharing

 

[s_car_go]

I have a 1.5 yo female. Her name is Harley. The best way to describe her briefly is this; Take a beaver, puppy dog, and a 2 year old child and roll all of that into a bird body and presto you have a Hyacinth. She loves to wrestle and beak my fingers. Its a constant training exercise to pressure train her to not draw blood. She listens and obey's the command "no pinching" very well but she constantly ratchets up the pressure till she hears the command. She has never made me bleed. I can only imagine what would happen if she decided to give her full force to my hand.

Harley is a high energy, very active and cant sit still. I presume that is because she is just a toddler. I hope she will settle down. She loves to be touched and I can handler her any way I choose and she does not mind. She is fully feathered and a good flyer. She is harness trained and loves to go outside. She loves to interact with people and thinks she is a small bird. She will climb on anything, jumps, hops and is just generally a clown. She can be very loud. I keep some hearing protectors near in case I need them.

She is extremely intelligent and loves to play with my tools when I am working on something. Keeping her chew toys filled with destructible material is a constant effort. I think I am going to make some stainless steel noise making stuff. Trying to find chain and bells and other toy components that she cannot destroy is a challenge. I use a large shop vac to clean out her cage because of all the debris on the bottom of the cage from chewing.

Here is a video;

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Rv87LCkOEMc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Rv87LCkOEMc[/ame]

I by macadamia, Brazil, walnuts etc usually 25 pounds of each and keep them in the freezer. I am hoping to only have to do this once a year or so.

She is an outstanding bird. Her nasal grunts and cackling and other vocalizations are human like and very expressive of what she is thinking. Almost a language that I am beginning to understand.

 

[fergie]

I buy lots of 2 x 4's and manzanita wood and make my own toys.
Try Avian Stainless Steel. They have quite a few toys made for Hyacinth's. I have some and are very nice and well made, last a life time...

 

[s_car_go]

Whats with the red feathers on your bird? Is that a vest of some sort?

 

[fergie]

Its called a Flight Suit / Diaper. They also come with a lease. Comes in many designs, colors. I actually like them. They also come with a pad that you insert ( diaper ) that is easily removed. It also acts like a harness. I find it easier to put on and remove, then the Avian harness.

Just goggle parrot flight suit....