New macaw owner help!

[Bigblue]

Hey how's it going everyone. So I have been looking into getting a bird and I think I'm down to ether a blue gold macaw or even a scarlet macaw, still undecided.
I am posting here for advice, how difficult are these birds? I have heard that they are for experienced bird owners only? Why is this?
What are things I should know before getting one? Diets, baths, cage, activity, behavior really anything. I am an experienced chameleon owner so I know how to care for a complicated animal. Would it be that complicated? Or am I over thinking the whole thing.
What age should I get it at? Would a male or female make a diffrence I'm trying to do my research before I throw myself under the bus.

 

[LeaKP]

Hey welcome! For the answers to your questions and more, check out the macaw forum, there are more threads there with tons of advice. Macs are great - although I don't own one - but without proper training and socialisation and bonding that beak can do lots of damage. Good luck!

 

[ToMang07]

Short answer....yes, Parrots, especially large parrots, are much more labor intensive, both in care, and companionship. Training as well, can be a lot or work. You can't even compare a Chameleon to a parrot.

Spend some time on the Macaw forum, read. Read a lot. Don't just watch the "cute" videos. Those are only a small percentage of living with a parrot. They are very intelligent, long-living animals. Depending on your age a Macaw could easily outlive you!

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you! Are you anywhere near a rescue where you can go help/learn? You might have your world turned upside down quit easily!

 

[Bigblue]

I stay in the surrounding Austin area, know of Amy places?

 

[Teknogeddon]

Newish bird mom talking to another after extensive hours of research and months of prep:

I'm just going to mirror the others and say check out a bird rescue and do a lot of research. Macaws, and all large parrots, are essentially like children.

Unlike a chameleon or reptile, birds become incredibly bonded to their owners and truly require that companionship. Commit to a bird like you commit to a husband/wife, child, or family member- because that's what kind of relationship you have with them. They are delicate to a degree and require the utmost care. You can't just ignore a small child for 5 hours.. You can't lock your husband/wife in a cage (despite how you may want to at times). These are incredibly smart animals with feelings, and I can argue they are more clever than dogs. I've seen birds feed dogs treats and make the dog do tricks.

Each one has a different personality and level of care. Some prefer men, some prefer women- just like people do. You will have to be able to accept that you may not be the "chosen one" and have to work for a very long time to have a good relationship with a bird.

If you can, try to rescue a bird. I've seen dozens and dozens of macaws all over the internet, petfinder, rescueme, and shelters that need homes. I'm not going to preach rescues as I cannot rescue myself, however - ever heard of the terrible twos? Imagine that in something that can fly and crack a walnut with it's face.

If not properly guided, that walnut smashing face will turn on you. Google "Macaw bites" to see what kind of damage they can do.

Birds have a puberty stage and are given up on a lot, so if you can find a shelter that houses birds, chances are they have a macaw that is as sweet as can be, but was given up for some possibly trivial reason such as the puberty stage. It doesn't last forever, but it can be a very hard stretch of time. Think bratty teenagers. Teens are teens from 13-19. That's 6 years. I'm honestly not looking forward to this with my new baby, but I will be hard pressed to give up on her as a result of it. It's something to be highly aware of if you are looking into a baby.

A lot of adult macaws are in shelters because of this, death of an owner, moving, confiscation, or incompatibility. Some people give up on a bird simply because they aren't the "chosen one" as mentioned above. Its no fault of the bird, and these very kind, very sweet birds need homes too. You have no way of predicting what kind of bird a baby will grow into, but an adult is an adult and what you see is very high chance what you'll get. Some require work, but as all the macaw rescuers here can tell you, its worth it- but I wouldn't wish that upon someone who hasn't had one before.
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As for care, they will be requiring fruits,veggies, and pellets that will probably be chucked on the floor like a Pollock painting, clean water every day, regular baths and cage cleanings. On the bright side you will have a lovely feathered screaming alarm clock to wake you up and inform you it's time for food at the literal crack of dawn. Embrace your healthy life style.

Embrace getting 6 or more hours a day to spend with your new friend. Like I said before, they're like family members. You can't ignore them all day and expect them to still love you and respect you. Some birds will even self mutilate if not given the appropriate amount of time a day.

If you haven't already, replace all your cookware to ptfe or pfoa free (there's some nonstick ceramic that works wonders), forsake all air fresheners, stock up on wet wipes, and hide your small shiny trinkets.

Sex of a bird is irrelevant in most species. Some argue girls are cuddlier but then you run the risk of egg laying; in males you don't have eggs but instead rage aggression against anyone else.

Also- I'm not sure how loud a chameleon is... but I hope you're prepared for the noise. No bird is truly "quiet" there's just "Quieter than other birds".

And not to be discouraged, if you read all this and still want a bird, but maybe not a BIG bird? Look into Conures! Conures and macaws get confused a lot, they are very similar but a lot smaller and thus require less extensive care. All the love in a smaller package.

 

[CDavis]

I would think Greenwing macaw instead of Scarlett but look at all of birdmann666 and jerseyWendy's posts to really get a feel for living with macaws. Also email or call bird haven And ask if you can volunteer and get a course in macaw 101.

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, thanks for beginning your adventure with us! Great advice thus far, and I would emphasize reading the "sticky" threads at top of the Macaw Forum.

You should at a minimum gain experience handling macaws to get a feel for their imposing presence and compelling personalities.

I've had B&Gs and Greenwings and consider the latter among the best overall of macaw companions.

 

[sonja]

Hi and welcome! I am a parrot and reptile person - there are a couple of us who do both on this forum. And there is absolutely no way to compare the care a chameleon needs to what a macaw requires.

A cham has essentially no emotional needs from you. A Mac has the emotional needs of a young child, every day for the rest of your life, since the Mac will live that long.

A Cham will live in a relatively small cage and the small amount of mess will be contained. A Mac needs an enormous cage and will make an enormous mess in the cage, around the cage, on the walls near the cage, under his play stand, on your shoulder and anywhere else he can reach.

A Cham is quiet and can live next to neighbors with no problem. A Mac can be extremely loud and can cause problems with neighbors if you don't live in a single family home.

A Cham is relatively inexpensive to keep. A Mac requires a wide variety of foods prepared daily which gets expensive as well as a never ending supply of toys to demolish which cost roughly $75 each.

And as pointed out above, if you find that you can't keep a Cham for his whole life he won't suffer emotionally from a change in owners. A Mac will suffer. And if he isn't able to make the adjustment, could start feather plucking, screaming and / or biting.

The recommendation of volunteering with a tescue is a great way to start. You will very quickly learn whether a large parrot is right for you or if you dodged a bullet by not getting one without volunteering first.