Looking into a Hahns Macaw

[sssaucey]

I'm fairly inexperienced with birds(i've had a pidgeon and tiel)and have been looking into getting a parrot for a while. I wanted a blue&gold macaw, have now realized that would not be a good idea right away lol but I had read the about the mini macaws and how they still have the large personality without the size. I also have since found out that they are not bad for inexperienced owners as long as you are committed(which I am). So basically I just wanted to know what any experienced people thought.

Thanks in advance, and I'm Josh

 

[MikeyTN]

Welcome to the forum Josh!!!! Lots and Lots of studies!!! Just remember, let the bird pick you, a instant connection would save you the heartache and most behavior problems as well. If behavioral problem develop after you get the bird home, be prepared to deal with it, target training on YouTube is wonderful and I'm all for it!!!!

By the way, its great your learning about it prior to getting one!!!!

 

[sssaucey]

Thanks,Well I'm trying to learn as much as possible for the birds benefit lol, not to mention mine haha

I'm really excited about the bonding and training

I just think that macaws are THE most beautiful birds, and look forward to working my way up to the larger species with time of course

 

[kitt]

Hi Josh and welcome to the forum.
Please, please, please make sure you take everything into consideration before getting a bird...things like life span, toys, vet bills, cost of cage and so on...they are a huge commitment.....I don't tell you that to scare you away from owning one, I tell you that so you are prepared and have done all your homework so the bird can have a forever home.
I have a little hahns macaw named Dusty and he is a ham. I love him to pieces....he can be a bit strong willed and nippy from time to time but I keep that in check.
If you are looking for a good talker then you have found a good species in the hahns macaw...my little guy talks up a storm..he never shuts up. LOL He even talks himself to sleep...It's pretty funny actually. He is also a ham for the camera...
Do you have any fear of owning a bird...what are some of your questions...we will help in any way possible to help you make a good informed decision....Good luck.
Here is a short clip of Dusty singing "dusty is a good boy" ..he has a hard time saying his name so it sounds like he is hacking up a hairball when he says his name but you get the idea....of course he gets wild when the camera comes out so you will hear him say "hi leroy" and "step up" and "hello" oh and he says "What" a million times. We started to play that game with him when he was young where he would say "what" and we would repeat it...well now he goes way over board with it....

[ame="http://youtu.be/ebc5epOesMY"]YouTube - Dusty being a clown and saying Leeeerooooy. 001.mov[/ame]

 

[sssaucey]

He seems very sweet

And I am def taking everything into consideration, if I wasn't not only would I be miserable but the bird would be too.

I have a question about there beaks, do they natural wear them down or isn't common for them to have it done by a vet?

and thanks again

 

[MikeyTN]

He seems very sweet

And I am def taking everything into consideration, if I wasn't not only would I be miserable but the bird would be too.

I have a question about there beaks, do they natural wear them down or isn't common for them to have it done by a vet?

and thanks again

They need a concrete rough perch to keep their nails and beak trimmed! You place the perch as the highest one in the cage, he will use it! If not being used, then vet care of beak and nail trim is required! With my macaw I still had to take him to have his nails trimmed from time to time. Not his beak though, he use that perch pretty good.

 

[MikeyTN]

By the way, providing chew toys will help too!! Not just for beak, it keeps him from boredom and having behavioral issues.

 

[kitt]

Dusty will be two in a few days and I have only had to trim his beak once....his nails I do every few weeks.
I think you would like a hahns as long as you don't have any fear of birds and don't let them have the upper hand.....can't wait to see what you decide.

 

[sssaucey]

I should have guest that there beaks would be similar to rodent teeth, with the need for something solid to grind it on

what type of toys would you suggest for a hahns?
I'm excited for my own decision aswell, lol

 

[MikeyTN]

Wood toys where they can destroy! I had to have Willie's beak trimmed twice and 5 times for his nails in the past 7 years. I have recently changed his concrete perch again hoping it would help to keep it trimmed better. The last two times I had his beak trimmed was because he refuses to use the perch, he likes to be on the side of the cage closest to me and we have a tendency to move his cage around so I ended up learning the reason why he won't use the perch and moved it to where he likes best everytime we move his cage around. After doing so, I haven't had the needs to have his beak trimmed.

 

[sssaucey]

So basically any toy thats safe that they can destroy lol

I do also have a question of which gender to go with, I know it has a lot to do with the bird but i've heard that females bond more with male owners

 

[kitt]

I guess the gender is really a personal choice...I usually tend to lean toward the male birds so I don't have to worry about any egg binding...but that is just me..

My Dusty is not much of a wood chewer which I find kind of strange..he would rater chew on the toys that have those little calcium things on them...he just loves chewing on those things and then there are his bells....good God almighty this bird is addicted to bells...he needs a 12 step program.LOL I'm telling ya, he is a few cards short of a full deck.

Actually I think if you get a nice mix of toys you will do fine. Also a nice mix of perches so your baby has different textures for his feet.
Simple things like bottle caps can keep them entertained too.
Dusty loves his sleep tent also....I know a lady that makes them like I've never seen them made...they are really nice, priced good and you get to pick out your own fabric and she ships with a couple of days....
This is so exciting, do you think you will go with a younger bird or a an older one.

 

[kitt]

here is the web address to the tents if you are interested.....
http://www.justbirdtents.com/

 

[sssaucey]

Thanks, I always thought cages looked cool when they look like a mini forest inside haha, and I want a young bird just so can see a difference in they way it acts as it matures

And thanks I will take a look at the tents

 

[sssaucey]

And I was thinking about a female, is egg binding common in hahns macaws?