Looking to purchase a Severe Macaw....Advice?

[joshuaben15]

Hello, My names Josh, brand new to the forum. Recently me and my roommate have been checking out the parrots in our local pet store and have been interested in possibly purchasing one. He was originally more excited about the idea than i was, but yesterday we went in and got acquainted with a 2 year old female severe macaw, and that was it for me, i fell in love with her. She was extremely friendly and talkative with me right away, which one of the employees said was surprising because he hadn't really seen her so friendly with anyone like that before. I hung out with her in the store for about an hour; she was awesome! Unlike alot of the other macaws in there, she seemed much more relaxed and melow; not nearly as squawky as most of the others. SO, I'm looking for some words of advice from those with some experience with macaws: is a Severe a good choice? Is there anything particularly positive or negative about them? etc.
Thankyou!!

 

[lene1949]

...which one of the employees said was surprising because he hadn't really seen her so friendly with anyone like that before.

It's a normal selling point that the shop tell the staff to use in order to get a sale...

I don't know about Macaws or what kind of experience you've had with parrots, but she sounds really cute...

I would ask about her history... Why is she in the petshop?

 

[mtdoramike]

Severe Macaws can be extremely loud birds and nippy. Most people who want a macaw and think the smaller the bird the less noise and easier they would be to handle isn't necessarily true. There are small birds that can be VERY LOUD. Do your self a favor and go onto Youtube and check out Severe macaw videos.

I notice you have a room mate, are you living in a apartment? Macaws are not apartment birds by any stretch of the imagination. If one of you decides to move out, who gets the bird? If you are going to be the primary owner of the bird, is your room mate willing to tollerate a lot of noise, squawking and screaming, even a birds normal chitter chatter can get loud and annoying during the day especially when trying to take a nap or watch TV.

I've given up naps and I rarely sit long enough during the day to watch a TV show

"which one of the employees said was surprising because he hadn't really seen her so friendly with anyone like that before." Isn't it funny how they all use the same line? I think they are all used car sales people in disguise.

 

[Enjru]

LOL! Is this called desensitization?

 

[Spiritbird]

This sounds like it would be an impulse purchase. Most of us bird people know how that goes. Later on you will be looking for another home for this bird. If you are really serious about a bird study the species that are suitable for an apartment and then visit breeders or better yet go to a place that takes in unwanted birds and educate yourself. There will always be a bird in a pet store that catches your eyes and employees tell you Oh he/she really likes you.

 

[roxynoodle]

It would definitely be a no no if you live in an apartment.

And yes, that is a good point on who gets the bird once you each move on? They live about 30 years.

Please research everything you can about parrot behavior and macaws and other species before making a decision.

 

[Joeyx]

i've always wanted a severe. i was actually going to acquire one recently but plans fell
through. but yeah everyone pretty much summed up what i would say in their posts.

hope you make up your mind soon though!

 

[Enjru]

Hi Josh,

This severe macaw has really fallen in love with you. She sounds like a great bird, with a very sweet and gentle personality and she is so well-behaved as well! Most parrots that you see in pet shops have developed some kind(s) of behavioral problem(s) and you can tell if you observe them for more than a few minutes. But, this severe macaw stayed very well-behaved for one whole hour! She is a rare find! Actually, it sounds like she was never really anything special before, but she blossomed right up just for you!

It is a rare and wonderful thing when this happens. If it happened between two people, we'd call it true love. How lucky for you!

Severe macaws are quite commonly kept as pet birds in the US. A lot of people keep them without any problems.

Did you leave a deposit for her at the pet shop? Did you at least ask them if they can hold her for you while you get her cage, etc, ready? It would be really sad if she had to go to live with someone whom she does not like as much as you.

I hope the two of you can become each other's soulmates. Please keep us updated and take lots of pics!