Hybrid or not to hybrid?

[Gburchett]

I am considering getting a macaw for a companion. We used to have a Moluccan cockatoo, but had to give her away when I went to grad school. Anyway, we are ready to get another parrot. I like the blue and golds, but then harlequin's have also caught my eye. I have read that the harlequins are the best of both worlds.

I was wanting to hear from those with and those without the hybrids. I am sure I am about to open a can of worms posting this. I think both are beautiful.

I am not sold 100% on the macaw as I have just started looking, but I think that it is my first choice.

Any info would be appreciated.

I also decide to post a poll to this thread just to see how many hybrid owns there are out there

 

[Jtbirds]

Well hybrids may be the best of both worlds but they are also the worst of both.. My harlequin and bluffons macaws have the good and bad hybrid moments so I can't say it is like getting both species as they do mix and create one big mix of attitude. Blue and golds are amazing IMO they can be sooo smart and loving at the same time. They from my expirences also can be handfuls but any macaw will be like that.. So really it is a matter of having expirence and being comfortable with macaws. I'd suggest if there's a local bird rescue near you, you go the and handle and maybe even get used to one and adopt it. I know m2 can be a handful but macaws are still different.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Harlow my Catalina is my best friend [GREAT BIRD ) Here she is laying in my arms [she put herself like that]

 

[tab_xo]

I have a blue and gold macaw, and honestly he is perfect :09:

He is super cuddly and loves kisses, and at the same time he can play independently, not to mention he is soooo clever, and knows many tricks!

Fargo will just jump down onto my lap, and roll over and get his belly tickled, or just lies in my arms like a baby

I have MANY more photos and videos of him in older threads that show his cute personality

 

[Gburchett]

Jtbirds, I appreciate your response. I have thought about rescues, but do not feel I am "experienced" enough to handle a rescue. Especially not know the true back ground behind the rescue. I would much rather "raise" one from a young age. But there is a rescue down the road from me, so I will stop by am talk with them. I also plan on talking with the vet that works on and boards birds.

Thanks you for your input.

 

[Gburchett]

Pnkybird, she's beautiful.

 

[Gburchett]

Tab, he is pretty!!! I really do like the B/G's.

 

[Jtbirds]

Well a baby will give you a run for your money to so don't let those cute little things fool you. So to get some macaw expirence I'd go to the rescue and learn about macaws and how they are and so on before buying a baby. No matter the age it is still a macaw and the more knowledge the better

Lol I feel left out everyone has posted pictures of there macaws.

 

[locito277]

I have two hybrids and a B&G. My B&G never has come close to bonding with me. She is bonded with my Harlequin who is huge. HE is more friendly than her but Ive yet to muster the courage to pick him up due to the sheer size of his beak LOL He senses this and shows off the beak to me. Having said that they will both come to me and eat from my fingrs without biting so I know my cowardice that keeps me from picking him up. My third is a camelina who is only 9 months. Him I can pick up and am not scared of. I got my first two together and they were bonded from a young age so bonding with me was more complicated. I also payed them off little by little which took away time I could have used to bond with them... Their all great birds and I cant say Id pick one over the other. ITs a matter of taste really IMO

 

[locito277]

The dysfuntional flock LOL

 

[Gburchett]

Well a baby will give you a run for your money to so don't let those cute little things fool you. So to get some macaw expirence I'd go to the rescue and learn about macaws and how they are and so on before buying a baby. No matter the age it is still a macaw and the more knowledge the better

Lol I feel left out everyone has posted pictures of there macaws.

I definitely want to make an informed decision. So I'll take your advice and talk with the rescue and visit it as well.

 

[blackhawk007]

We have a Ruby hybrid and she is great. Other than her testing weeks right when we got her, she has been awesome. She is super sweet and very cuddly. I would also love a Harlequin.

BTW, locito, if you ever need a new home for your harlequin just let me know. He looks amazing, and I love that he is huge just like our Ruby Mac.

 

[psychocircus91]

The dysfuntional flock LOL

That is a beautiful sight...


To OP: Do you have any interest in the minis? or are you set on the big macaws?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

My friends have a 21 year old blue and gold, he's fantastic. I can pet him under the wings and he'll spread his wings so I can pet his under coverts. Blue and golds are my favorite, all the well raised birds I have met had amazing personalities, in comparison I have met few scarlet macaws who were there equal.

A hybrid is taking a chance, I would only want a baby hybrid if it had spectacular plumage. If not I would go with a blue and gold, if not a blue and good a green wing.

 

[Gburchett]

The dysfuntional flock LOL

That is a beautiful sight...


To OP: Do you have any interest in the minis? or are you set on the big macaws?

I love the big macaws, but I also like the Hahn's. In the research phase right now. If you have any suggestions, I'm listening.

 

[psychocircus91]

I love the big macaws, but I also like the Hahn's. In the research phase right now. If you have any suggestions, I'm listening.

I can't truly make a suggestion because I don't have experience with the big macaws. I certainly understand the appeal. A smaller macaw is a little less intimidating, but you had a cockatoo so you would probably be okay either way.

 

[locito277]

Thanks Blackhawk your ruby is stunning. Mac is massive. Along with the massiva size coms a massive beak and screams at times LOL

 

[Jennd5184]

We have a Camelot macaw, which is a hybrid between a Catalina(scarlet and blue and gold) and a scarlet. I had never had a whole lot of experience with macaws before her, but she has been wonderful. She can be a little beaky, which I'm not sure is just normal for a macaw or because she is mostly scarlet(which I have heard can be more beaky/nippy). She is hardly ever too rough and is as sweet as she can be. She does love my husband more(because she was raised with a man who resembles my husband), but she has gotten so much better about being around everyone, and will let me do almost anything with her. We didn't do much research on certain species before purchasing her, which I'm kinda glad we didn't, because I would've said no, since I've heard bad things about scarlets....but she's been a great first macaw.

 

[kermitz_mom]

I have a hahns macaw.... sad to see not an option.

 

[WharfRat]

I really don't "approve" of hybrids, just my stance. I have both GW's and a Hahn's, give me the GW anyday, they are awesome and less moody and very affectionate compared to a Hahn's. JMO