Might be buying my first macaw in February. Advice?

[MacawBeaks]

So, after about 4 hours yesterday of telling my mom anything and everything about macaws I then told her that I found this beautiful female B&G macaw. And before she said yes I asked her many questions about whether if not it would be right for the family and that she shouldn't take it lightly. I wasn't trying to convince her but trying to educate her on these animals. So, we've been going to rescues and volunteering and she isn't so scared of that big beak anymore.If we do get this macaw we've been discussing whether or not to have her be able to have free range around the house. Either way, she'llbe out four hours while I'm home plus a few more hours while I'm not with my mom. The B&G is nine years old and has a tiny pluck problem on her chest. The owner said that she was supposed to be a companion for his green wing and hoped that is would stop his feather plucking but he's not so interested in her and she tries to mate with him. She was originally from a breeder but then a friend of his was selling it for him as the original owner. She also has a slight biting problem and has only been around that owner for 2 years apparently. I know she has the potential to be am awesome bird.

 

[Kentuckienne]

I will suggest a macaw shouldn't have free rein of the house until you know it's safe. They love to chew...they need to chew....they will chew anything they can reach. Baseboards, window trim, doors, cabinets, chair legs, picture frames, books, magazines...and worse, extension cords, lamp cords, poisonous things. Most people will not be ok with having the house gnawed to splinters. Birdie will need to be closely supervised all the time, all the time not just a glance in the other room not w nd then. They can be playing quietly on moment and quietly eating the stair bannister the next. This also means the bird must be very well trained to step up on command, because there will be times when it's doing something dangerous or mischievous and it must be picked up at once. And not just step up for one person, it needs to step up for whoever is watching it. It will be a big commitment for everybody.

 

[Loko]

Not discouraging you, but think about it before buying an ex breeder bird currently bonded with another macaw as your first bird. Its definitely going to take work, and while I 100% agree the bird can be brought around, it may be better left to someone with a little more experience. You can probably adopt a macaw that would be easier to "tame" than an ex breeder bird bonded macaw. Go check the bird out first. Cant really tell from the post if the bird is at all okay with humans but from the sound of it it doesnt seem that way. Thats why I brought up rescuing, because you will also have a bit of a challenge with the bird and behavior and all, but it will probably have a little more interest in humans. It really depends on the bird though, like I said I dont know if it is at all used to humans, terrified of them, hates them, or loves them. If you visit the bird and it doesnt try to eat you then thats a start. It probably wont want to cuddle with you straight away but you will be able to tell if you can even touch the bird without it going for blood.

I also agree eith Kentuckienne; my bird has free rign of my place, but this is a prvilege gained by good behavior and a lot of trust. The bird must be trained and you must trust it totally before allowing this. And in this case, the bird may take a while to even accept humans so it would be a long time before its behaving well enough to be able to roam freely.

 

[MacawBeaks]

I will suggest a macaw shouldn't have free rein of the house until you know it's safe. They love to chew...they need to chew....they will chew anything they can reach. Baseboards, window trim, doors, cabinets, chair legs, picture frames, books, magazines...and worse, extension cords, lamp cords, poisonous things. Most people will not be ok with having the house gnawed to splinters. Birdie will need to be closely supervised all the time, all the time not just a glance in the other room not w nd then. They can be playing quietly on moment and quietly eating the stair bannister the next. This also means the bird must be very well trained to step up on command, because there will be times when it's doing something dangerous or mischievous and it must be picked up at once. And not just step up for one person, it needs to step up for whoever is watching it. It will be a big commitment for everybody.

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I know what they're capable of and nothings official. We might train her to stay on a play gym. Still figuring it out

 

[MacawBeaks]

Not discouraging you, but think about it before buying an ex breeder bird currently bonded with another macaw as your first bird. Its definitely going to take work, and while I 100% agree the bird can be brought around, it may be better left to someone with a little more experience. You can probably adopt a macaw that would be easier to "tame" than an ex breeder bird bonded macaw. Go check the bird out first. Cant really tell from the post if the bird is at all okay with humans but from the sound of it it doesnt seem that way. Thats why I brought up rescuing, because you will also have a bit of a challenge with the bird and behavior and all, but it will probably have a little more interest in humans. It really depends on the bird though, like I said I dont know if it is at all used to humans, terrified of them, hates them, or loves them. If you visit the bird and it doesnt try to eat you then thats a start. It probably wont want to cuddle with you straight away but you will be able to tell if you can even touch the bird without it going for blood.

I also agree eith Kentuckienne; my bird has free rign of my place, but this is a prvilege gained by good behavior and a lot of trust. The bird must be trained and you must trust it totally before allowing this. And in this case, the bird may take a while to even accept humans so it would be a long time before its behaving well enough to be able to roam freely.

The guy said that they weren't bonded, and she isn't exactly tame but will step up on a perch. But I find that the reason she isn't tame yet is because he said he didn't have the time for 2 macaws and loves the green wing but isn't really attached to the b&g. She was never a breeder before but maybe you're right. If she likes us when we visit we will most likely go through with it considering it will get better with the right reinforcements and training. Thanks for the advice