Looking at adopting a greenwing macaw. Help?

[ChelseaEliz]

I am looking into adopting a Greenwing Macaw. And i just would love some ideas on the whole thing. Most thing places online say they are very sweet birds and chewers. I want to know more.
I live with an African Grey right now, thats 24. She is my friends bird, and she is awesome. Like i could talk all day about her. And we just had a bird emergency and had to rush to the vet. Thats where i met this Greenwing Macaw that was just the sweetest thing ever. It was love at first sight. And now i want one. But i want to be ready for it. And i would love talk to someone that has done this and give me a few pointers.

 

[mtdoramike]

The only thing I would recommend is do a lot of research. Also, do you own your own home or rent? Do you have neighbors close by? Can you afford to spend $200.00-$400.00 a month in food as well as TONS of toys?

Greenwing Macaws are one of the biggest macaws and have a very loud voice or screams, screeches and squawks. If you live in an apartment, you won't be there for long with a Macaw. They are much louder and more often than the African Grey you have now.

If your still insistant upon getting a macaw, go onto Youtube and type in screaming macaws and turn your speakers all the way up to get the full effect, which will not even come close to what you will be living with.

 

[triordan]

Remington was my first bird, yes he is a GW~ I guess I am lucky because he really doesn't scream. He was 13 when I got him and has been a joy to have. It will be 2 years in September since we got him and we are still learning each other, especially since he was my first bird and I had to learn a lot! I joined a bird club, went to tons of workshops/seminars in my area and found all the bird people I meet to be very helpful...but as you said you have bird experience so it is probably different for you. I would suggest getting in touch with a rescue and adopting from there~ there is expense, cage, toys, vet bills,play stands, etc.... because they are large they eat more and need bigger cages. Is there a rescue near you that you could volunteer and be around one for a while? Good luck!

 

[KBEquine]

We adopted a greenwing last January & we already had a Grey, so I can share my experience -

Goose really is a gentle giant, who really doesn't bit the way he could, given that humongous beak.

I wasn't prepared for his sense of humor - he definitely has one. I don't know if that is species-specific, or if Goose is unique.

So, as far as advice . . .

I would suggest Googling the macaw yahoo groups & joining, so you can hear from macaw owners what they do, how their birds act, and the like.

But I would also contact any local rescues and visit. Volunteer, if you can. That would give you time to get to know macaws and maybe even find Mr. (or Ms.) Right.

Because they are big birds, best case scenario would be to meet a few greenwings & see which one gravitates to you, since big birds pick their people. And the hands-on experience around knowledgable people is really important.

And the prior advice about not getting one if you live in an apartment or have close neighbors is apt. If you read down through all the threads, you will find some from folks who fell in love with the idea of greenwings, but who weren't prepared for the reality of living with one. [We have 21 acres & the closest neighbor is very understanding - and on the other side of a heavily wooded acre.]

Best of luck to you!

 

[JJones1719]

Out of all the Macaws, the green wing is the most quiet. I live in a condo and have never had an issue with my Neleno age 4 now. I have had him since he was a baby.
My neighbors understand I have 2 birds but only because they see them outside. I would say to do your homework first, get to know the green wing before you rescue. I do not spend 200.00 to 400.00 a month more like 75.00 to 100.00 a month. I take my macaw to the vet every 6 months for health, clipping on the wings and nails trimmed and this will run approx 30.00 a visit. Best of luck Joe

 

[Safira]

I love greenwings, I am hoping that will be my next Macaw.

I have to caution apartments, and disagree with JJ just about their quietness. I think it depends entirely on the animal, he is lucky to have a quiet one .
I've seen and taken care of very loud ones. I worked with a group of Macaws and the green wing loved to get the other ones going. He didn't scream all day, just a few calls throughout (unless he was feeling frisky, and would change his noise to this high pitched whistle that I could swear would break glass, lol) Then again birdscan be noisier when there are more of them to scream at/with.

Good luck on your research! If there was a GW in a rescue near me I'd be snatching him up in a heart beat!

 

[mtdoramike]

There are those unique birds in any species that are quieter than most or less nippy. But on average it's not the case. The rescue centers in my area are full of macaws of all kinds that aren't quiet in the least.

So if you decide to get a macaw, understand that eventhough you have a few on here that posted how quiet their birds are, they are the exception to the rule. Most all macaws that I have had any deals with or been around had their moments of being noisy and nippy. Macaws will go out of their way to intimidate you and if your not equipt to handle them when they lunge at you trying to intimidate you, then you have lost the battle and it will be harder to gain the birds respect.

I know of at least 3 macaws in my area up for adoption because the current owners thought that they were "quiet" birds because they saw them at bird shows or they thought they were gentle birds because they saw them being handled by a child. Yep, birds are like people when it come to personality, some have sweet disputitions while others can be cantancurous and harder to deal with.

Here is a post that someone else posted regarding their experiences with their macaw.

"By the way, did you read this post? It's in a thread a few threads below yours.

"i've heard macaws before, at pet stores, at the zoo, at a friends house. i heard them do the loud high pitch quick call. i thought thats what people meant when they say macaws are loud. it is loud, but i didnt think it was too bad. aparantly macaws have another sound with is a low piched EAR DRUM BLOWING. had never heard this one before. i'm expecting a 30 day notice within the next 48 hours. i have no idea why he is screaming like that. he does it when im paying attention to him, when i'm not, wether he's hungry or not, and he seems ok on toys and he has a good diet which includes alot of fruits and veggies a small amount of shelled almonds and walnuts and those expensive biscuit pellet things. why is he screaming he does it at all hours of the day. what should i do?
if anyone googles macaw/apartment and you're reading this, don't get a macaw if you live in apartment it doesnt seem doableat all. ive had him a week and i know for sure im going to get kicked out of here any second. that scream/yell is louder than anything i have ever heard in my whole intire life and the sheer pitch of it is mind shattering"

 

[Safira]

One rescue has a green wing near me but they want her to stay in their county and I'm only 30 minutes away!!

The one I went to visit was loaded with Blue and Golds, and had a few scarlets. They did have a military macaw I was tempted to rescue but she already had someone adopting her (lucky people, she was awesome!)

 

[Spiritbird]

Wonderful advice. Thank you Macaw members for helping this person.

 

[mtdoramike]

Out of all the Macaws, the green wing is the most quiet. I live in a condo and have never had an issue with my Neleno age 4 now. I have had him since he was a baby.
My neighbors understand I have 2 birds but only because they see them outside. I would say to do your homework first, get to know the green wing before you rescue. I do not spend 200.00 to 400.00 a month more like 75.00 to 100.00 a month. I take my macaw to the vet every 6 months for health, clipping on the wings and nails trimmed and this will run approx 30.00 a visit. Best of luck Joe

Come on JJ, I spend any where from $100.00-$150.00 a month just on my Senegal and Eclectus just in food, toys and eccentials. That doesn't include having their grooming done every 3 months, which runs me about $45.00 for beaks, wings & nails. The grooming is a bit higher than some, but it's a mobile service which comes to my house. It's worth the extra not to have to load them up and take them in. Their not nearly as destructive on their toys as a macaw will be. I hear some can go through a $30.00 toy in half a day.

I'm hoping my food bill will come down a bit now that things are coming into season tought. $3.50 for a pound of grapes or $4.99 for a Pomigrante gets expensive. My wife keeps reminding of all the stuff I buy for my birds about every day hahahahahaha.

 

[Enjru]

I don't have a greenwing macaw, but I thought I'd share the following with you, so that you can get an idea how powerful and destructive a greenwing macaw is.

When I was building the outdoor flight and play area aviary for Chilli (my scarlet macaw), the aviary builder told me that, for B&G and scarlet macaws, I'd only need to use wire that is 2.5mm think. However, had I kept a greenwing macaw, he'd have to use wire that is 3.0mm thick (which would have caused problems in terms of the wire spacing, because wire mesh that is 3.0mm thick is only readily available in larger sized wire spacings, which would allow small, wild birds, snakes and rodents into the aviary).

I'd imagine that a lot of the acrylic and plastic toys that Chilli hasn't destroyed (yet), a greenwing macaw would destroy much more easily. So, a greenwing macaw would be more challenging to keep if only for these practical and logistical reasons.

 

[JJones1719]

MT, I would advise you that your Vet is taking advantage of you. My Vet charges $27.00 for wings and nails. I live in MD. Each state if different when it comes to vet pricing.
As far as Toy prices they can range from free to approx 30.00. If you are spending more that that for toys, you may want to do your homework on how to make your toys for free. How do I do this, I get my wood for free. I go to home depot, who have scrap wood in bins or left over wood. The wood is untreated and bird safe. I then take it home, cut it into smaller size and different shapes, I then use different dyes that are also bird safe, let dry. I use chains from old toys I purchased and now have new toys for my birds.
You can also go to a marcial art school and ask the teacher to give you the scrap wood they chop in half as they cannot reuse it. Most places just throw it away. The wood they use is also untreated and bird safe. Here I have given you two examples of places where you can make toys for your birds for free.
I guess I am more thrifty then others here.
The Fruit and veg I purchase run about 10.00 to 15.00 per week. A 10 lb of pellets run me somewhere around 10.00 to 15.00 at petsmart that could last me a month or so.
I would love to hear from people who are spending 200.00 to 400.00 a month on a single Macaw and their breakdown.
I can teach you how to really save money per month and you can send me the difference.lol. Best of luck to all. Joe

 

[JJones1719]

Safira, I would advise you to read the book called macaws a complete pet owner's manual by Barrons.
First we have to talk about each Green Wing Macaw here.
If you are buying a rescue GW, you are also buying their back round and the luggage they come with. Yes, they can be screamers, they can be hands off Macaws, they can feather pluck. On the other hand, they maybe quiet, very independant, perhaps enjoy talking over screaming.
Most macaws are very vocal in the morning and late eve. This does not mean that they are screaming during these hours and if they are, they are many tips to learn to teach the Macaw not to scream and replace having to be vocal with talking instead.
I also wake up my boys in the morning with feedings approx 8:00am. So morning feeding stopped the morning calls.
In the Eve, my boys started to vocalize around 9:00pm or so, so I now remove them from their cage for 2-3 hours and this is now their play time. So, I don't deal or hear screaming birds like others do.
You also have to remember that both of my boys were purchased as baby birds that I hand raised them and this is huge. I did not purchase a bird with bad behavior issues, I teach and reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior.
I also take my boys outside for a walk with them. We explore trees, other walkers outside, children in my neighborhood who love to come up to them. I go for car drives with my boys and to petstores who allow animals, I take them to bird meeting with my bird club, all of this interaction is very good for birds and help them to be social, remain tame and at the end of our day, they just want to eat and go to sleep.
I would advise people who want a Macaw to limit themselves, don't be a bird collector or horder of birds, you are setting yourself up along with your birds to be screamers or in your own discription stated to get the others going. It would be impossible for 1 person to have a schedule like mine when they have 10-15 birds in a house hold. All of these birds are not getting the attn I give to my two boys and it is really unfair for them.
I am not trying to judge anyone who has a house full of birds.
To be honest, I have no idea how they do it or could stand hearing screaming birds all day as discribed from some members.
I would only say to them, better you then me.
So it's 7:18am now in MD. I just wanted to add my 2 cents here and have to leave you to get my day started with my boys. Best of luck to everyone. Joe

 

[Mike]

Safira, I would advise you to read the book called macaws a complete pet owner's manual by Barrons.
First we have to talk about each Green Wing Macaw here.
If you are buying a rescue GW, you are also buying their back round and the luggage they come with. Yes, they can be screamers, they can be hands off Macaws, they can feather pluck. On the other hand, they maybe quiet, very independant, perhaps enjoy talking over screaming.
Most macaws are very vocal in the morning and late eve. This does not mean that they are screaming during these hours and if they are, they are many tips to learn to teach the Macaw not to scream and replace having to be vocal with talking instead.
I also wake up my boys in the morning with feedings approx 8:00am. So morning feeding stopped the morning calls.
In the Eve, my boys started to vocalize around 9:00pm or so, so I now remove them from their cage for 2-3 hours and this is now their play time. So, I don't deal or hear screaming birds like others do.
You also have to remember that both of my boys were purchased as baby birds that I hand raised them and this is huge. I did not purchase a bird with bad behavior issues, I teach and reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior.
I also take my boys outside for a walk with them. We explore trees, other walkers outside, children in my neighborhood who love to come up to them. I go for car drives with my boys and to petstores who allow animals, I take them to bird meeting with my bird club, all of this interaction is very good for birds and help them to be social, remain tame and at the end of our day, they just want to eat and go to sleep.
I would advise people who want a Macaw to limit themselves, don't be a bird collector or horder of birds, you are setting yourself up along with your birds to be screamers or in your own discription stated to get the others going. It would be impossible for 1 person to have a schedule like mine when they have 10-15 birds in a house hold. All of these birds are not getting the attn I give to my two boys and it is really unfair for them.
I am not trying to judge anyone who has a house full of birds.
To be honest, I have no idea how they do it or could stand hearing screaming birds all day as discribed from some members.
I would only say to them, better you then me.
So it's 7:18am now in MD. I just wanted to add my 2 cents here and have to leave you to get my day started with my boys. Best of luck to everyone. Joe

Well written.

After reading this thead to this point, it sounds to me like a number of people on this forum have GW's who are screamers, biters, and general bullies. I pity you, but wish you the best of luck. You're missing out on the joys of true GW ownership. You have either created or inherited behavior patterns not endemic to the GW. The experience for many of us is that GWs are gentle and playful. They're not only beautiful, but intelligent. They are sometimes goofy yet graceful. GWs are the pet every other animal strives to be.

I strongly agree that having more than a few macaws (I would say one) is a recipe for disaster. You will not be able to provide the one-on-one care the birds demand. As a result you will not end up with the bird it could have been. Too many people hoard birds, when what they should be doing is connecting with the one bird they have and getting (and providing) the most benefits possible from the relationship.

To the original poster I say that, "Greenwings are great." Get yourself a baby and raise her carefully with positive reinforcement. Don't bring another bird into the relationship. Some relationships are only successfull when they are one-to-one (ask my wife!).

If you choose to get a rescue bird, please, PLEASE treat it as an abused animal which needs your passion, your patience, and your understanding. With enough gentle care you may be able to bring out the "Gentle Giant" behavior which Greenwings are famous for.

For those of you who have taken afront at what I've said, please understand that my comments are not aimed at you. I do not know you or your relationship with your bird. I am, however, concerned that the negative impression you've expressed here is not accurate, not is it useful to the original poster who asked this forum for assistance.