Intimidated by macaws

[MissMarie]

Not sure where to post this, so forgive me if I'm in the wrong spot or something... Alright, so, I find myself intimidated by macaws, but I love their beauty and their attitudes and would love to have one when I move in 2 years. I think I'm intimidated by them because I've only ever seen one not in the cage. And the ones I have seen are at the pet stores and screeching and I don't know too much about them, so I find myself slightly scared to touch them, which I'm sure makes it worse. So, the reason I'm posting this is in hopes you guys can help me get over this. Does anyone know where I might go to meet a macaw? Like a friendly one because going to the pet store does not help - although they have 2 stunning blue and gold's, and i'm slightly scared of him because he tried to bite me. I live in Southern California by the way. Forgive the randomness and confusing way this post is written please, I just woke up! Thanks for any and all help

Edited to add: and I picked the macaw section because its just macaws I feel intimidated by. I'm fine with most other birds...

 

[sonja]

Volunteer at a bird rescue.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Believe it or not, but I was intimidated by them for a long, LOOONG time as well.

I overcame my fear when I was able to visit very young Macs. I am fortunate because we do have a nearby store that sells hundreds of baby birds, and they allowed me to handle them.

I met my own Mac when he was only 2 months old, and I visited him twice a week until I was allowed to bring him home when he was 4 months and weaned. During that time period I not only learned how to properly handle a big bird, but also overcame my fear of the older Macaws at the breeder/store.

Perhaps you could try and find a nearby breeder, and see if he/she allows you to interact with some babies/young ones.

Are there any other bird stores near you? Preferrably some where you can interact with young ones?

A bird rescue is a GREAT place to volunteer, however, if you are already intimidated, I believe interacting with full grown, possibly frightened and/or aggressive specimen, that will only heighten your fears.

Do you have previous bird experience? I would not consider a Mac for a first time bird owner, as they can become quite challenging.

 

[MissMarie]

I had a pair of love birds for a while - I got them when they were older so they passed about 2 years later. I loved them, but they weren't quite what I was looking for. Those are some great ideas! I'll see if there are any breeders near me who will let me! That would be amazing!

 

[JerseyWendy]

MissMarie, you may want to check out this site for local breeders

BirdBreeders.com - Bird Breeders Directory of Availability and Parrot Breeders

 

[008kenichijouji]

I would do a LOT of research about macaws, if you haven't already, that is. I've seen many people able to handle them, but they don't have the time/effort to actually care for them properly. Just something to think about, since there's a lot to know. That's the route I took: gobbled up anything and everything to know, then started searching them out. I could use the stuff I read about to help me interpret body language, the way they think, etc. Of course, reading/learning from books is only a part of it, but it does help.

Another idea is finding a bird show/expo/fair near you. I started doing that last year. I've been to 2 local ones, and 2 around Chicago (including TASC's huge annual bird fair). There, I've found vendors who've let me handle and play with their macaws, and it's a nice way to meet breeders too. Gotta watch out for some of them though, because some just didn't seem to be the best sort of breeder... A bit finicky about sharing details on their operations and stuff like that, and a couple were just...off (intuition lets me know!). But I got to handle baby macaws, older macaws...even toucans. HAHA.

Also, see if there's a bird club near you. Join it! I still need to do that... Haha.

 

[MacawGuy]

Well i was scared of macaws really bad.. when i got Roscoe i was scared of him. i would hold him but just very shaky when i was holding him.. but i found other people with Macaws in see how they handle them n see what i needed to do. but one day i just close my eyes n put my fingers by his mouth to see what would happen. Well nothig he put his beak over my fingers did nothing to them. every since then i will flip him around on his back and everything now. so that's what help me get over it.

 

[MissMarie]

Oh yeah, I'm still two years out from even beginning the bird search, so I'm taking my time and studying everything I can about Macaws. I'm thinking a blue and gold macaw? I was told they're very friendly? I was also told to look into Shamrock, Catablu, and Catalina macaws as well. Opinions? That's another great idea. I'll look into finding a bird club! And would it be better to start with a young one or an older one since I'm intimidated by them?

 

[JerseyWendy]

What about a Greenwing? They are considered "gentle giants." Additionally they are gorgeous!

I have a Blue & Gold, and I must tell you that he is currently going through his terrible twos. :54: My arms are regularly bruised, but he IS a boatload of fun nevertheless.

A Macaw WILL test you - and if he feels the slightest upper hand he will take advantage of you.

There are hundreds and hundreds of unwanted Macaws. Don't think just because they are unwanted that they are necessarily flawed. Some may have been abused, yes, and WILL need an experienced handler, but there are also some that are simply looking for a loving home with no fault of their own.

The only reason I personally went the baby route was because I was fairly inexperienced and chickened out of adopting an older one.

 

[MissMarie]

Oh I know the whole rescue platform, I used to work with the local animal rescue, then I helped out at an equestrian rescue for a while. So, no worries there - I know that sometimes bad things happen and great animals end up homeless. I found a macaw rescue in my town, and I sent them an email! Maybe they'll take me on as a volunteer - it would help me see if macaws are a pet that would truly be fitting for me.

I'm used to the animals that try to test me, I was raised with all the dogs like Rottweilers and dobermans who try to test you. That's why I know I need to get over the intimidation before I can seriously consider getting one. Heck, the ones at the pet store made me flinch (not my brightest accomplishment there) they screeched and reached through the cage and then flapped it wings and it got me to flinch. That tells ya how bad I am.

Personally, green wings coloration isn't my favorite. I don't deny they're gorgeous, I just prefer blues and reds. If I were going off color alone, I'd go for a shamrock macaw probably. Call me shallow, but I find myself wanting a bird whose coloration I love.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Shallow? Absolutely not!!!! Look at me, I got exactly what I wanted

 

[MacawGuy]

well i hope you find the right Macaw..they are truly awesome.. make really good firends. keep you busy. they keep u up when ur down.

 

[MissMarie]

That's kinda why I want one, I want something that is playful, intelligent, and a good friend. That's what made me think of it. I'm trying to figure out a general idea of how much I need to have saved for the bird, and so I was wondering if this is the right kind of cage: Giant Corner Cage - The Bird Cage Depot
It seems big enough? And is it the right spacing??

 

[plax]

Personally, green wings coloration isn't my favorite. I don't deny they're gorgeous, I just prefer blues and reds.

What? The predominant color on Greenwings is a brilliant red. And most of the top of their wings is blue.

 

[plax]

well i hope you find the right Macaw..they are truly awesome.. make really good firends. keep you busy. they keep u up when ur down.

TRUE! On all counts!!!

 

[WharfRat]

What? The predominant color on Greenwings is a brilliant red. And most of the top of their wings is blue.

To say they ain't got red and blue is an understatement!!!

She is just a baby here

 

[plax]

To say they ain't got red and blue is an understatement!!!

Yeah, I'm a bit curious as to what she actually meant.

 

[tab_xo]

awww every macaw is so beautiful ! hehe
you cant look at a macaw and not go 'AWWW'

maybe she just prefers the fully blues or fully reds ?

i was lucky and never actually found macaws intimidating

 

[MissMarie]

Personally, green wings coloration isn't my favorite. I don't deny they're gorgeous, I just prefer blues and reds.

What? The predominant color on Greenwings is a brilliant red. And most of the top of their wings is blue.

Whoops! I was thinking of a military. They're the mostly green ones (still learning my breeds here). My apologies haha

 

[plax]

Personally, green wings coloration isn't my favorite. I don't deny they're gorgeous, I just prefer blues and reds.

What? The predominant color on Greenwings is a brilliant red. And most of the top of their wings is blue.

Whoops! I was thinking of a military. They're the mostly green ones (still learning my breeds here). My apologies haha

Haha! That clears up the confusion Thanks.