Planning our second macaw! I need your expert advice!

[Birdman666]

Well I can tell you the absolute easiest macaw in the world to handle is a red front. And the size difference alone will discourage breeding issues.

Have you seen the video of my RFM and my GWM?

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56693-both-macaws-were-velcro-mode-tonight.html

 

[macawluv]

Omg they are so cute.
I think after hearing your thoughts we are DEFINITELY leaning towards a red fronted macaw. The lure of "easier" than Kai sounds awesome. He is sure a little fireball. We love it, but we are starting a business this year so while the birds will not take a back seat, a bird the same difficulty as Kai or possibly naughtier could take it's toll on us.(Kai is not really that naughty, just a very typical, curious macaw who likes to push our buttons. He is our heart though <3 .) I am trying to talk to a few breeders of red fronted macaws right now. I am finding the range to be $1000-1800. Not bad compared to the $3,600 for a buffon's! lol
I am having a hard time with breeders being so dismissive of me. "they are $x and eggs will be laid this month." Then silence.
I guess no everyone approaches this with such concern, but we are adding a life long companion... Of course I have a lot of questions and concerns about your babies!!!

 

[Birdman666]

One of the best macaw breeders in the country is Wendy Craig, and she specializes in red fronts. Her babies are socialized to the Nth degree... and she ships.

You might want to give her a call.

Home

Everything you ever wanted to know about red fronts. And I've lived with one for more than a dozen years, so I can tell you this is pretty much accurate:

Red-Front

 

[macawluv]

So we got the cage. A twin to our kings corner cage but with older locks. Wow, what a delightfully dangerous feeling to have an empty macaw cage... My husband is already talking about how we could jump right to three macaws this year.. I doubt we would be we are scanning rescues just in case.
I talked to Wendy a few weeks ago. With the move last year she "should" have babies this year but might not. No eggs yet. Any other breeders you could recommend that let the parents start the chicks? Her 6 week parent start makes me happy to think about.

 

[seabirdlv]

One of the scarlet macaw interesting facts is that these macaws mostly continue to remain in monogamous pairs throughout their lives but gather in flocks to sleep at night. They are very attached to their mates and once they choose their soulmates they are never seen alone except if one of the birds has to incubate the eggs.
They usually make their nests in the hollow area of the trees. They normally use the upper canopy of the rain-forests so that they can be camouflaged in the thick foliage and are safe from their predators like the toucans, snakes, monkey and a few other large mammals. A scarlet macaw if alarmed by something while in its nest, it vigilantly studies the situation till the danger goes away. Macaws silently escape one at a time if their nests are under direct threat.
Here's rest of the article - Scarlet Macaw Red Macaw Ara Macao - Macaw Facts
Hope it helps!

Have a great day!

 

[chris-md]

Mark, in your posts you often lump RFMs with BTMs. But always describe greenwings and hys together as gentle giants and easy to handle as well. How would you distinguish between these two groups, behaviorally speaking? By my rudimentary reading, it sounds like they should essentially be all lumped together.

 

[Birdman666]

Mark, in your posts you often lump RFMs with BTMs. But always describe greenwings and hys together as gentle giants and easy to handle as well. How would you distinguish between these two groups, behaviorally speaking? By my rudimentary reading, it sounds like they should essentially be all lumped together.

IF A GREENWING OR A HY GETS THEIR DANDER UP... AND DECIDES YOU'RE NOT GONNA'... It's a whole 'nother world of butting heads with a macaw.

Having had a Hyacinth who was not prepared to go down, latch onto me, and fend off all comers who wanted to take his new toy away from him (that would be me!) It's a whole 'nother level of "POWER AND CONTROL" issues. Generally speaking, they're easy to deal with. If they decide NOT TO BE?! YOU BETTER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING...

Maggie could bite hardwood blocks in half!!! IF SHE WASN'T BITE PRESSURE TRAINED AND GOT PISSEY? YIKES!!! I have seen dominant greenwings take over a house and chase people around the room... And to those people, they'd say "Gentle Giants my butt!" (There's that macaw gene thing again.)

With a BTM or a Red Front? Those are the smallest of the big macs. 1/2 to 1/3 the size of a GW or a Hy... Generally speaking, they're just not intimidating, and they are less inclined to be intimidating... UNLESS YOU SO BADLY TELEGRAPH YOUR FEAR OF THEM THAT YOU BECOME AN IRRESISTIBLE TARGET... "HA HA! MADE YOU JUMP..."

Sweepea will play with ANYONE who isn't afraid of her...

Maggie generally had to get to know you first... before she'd let it get that far.

Just my take.

 

[macawluv]

One of the scarlet macaw interesting facts is that these macaws mostly continue to remain in monogamous pairs throughout their lives but gather in flocks to sleep at night. They are very attached to their mates and once they choose their soulmates they are never seen alone except if one of the birds has to incubate the eggs.
They usually make their nests in the hollow area of the trees. They normally use the upper canopy of the rain-forests so that they can be camouflaged in the thick foliage and are safe from their predators like the toucans, snakes, monkey and a few other large mammals. A scarlet macaw if alarmed by something while in its nest, it vigilantly studies the situation till the danger goes away. Macaws silently escape one at a time if their nests are under direct threat.
Here's rest of the article - Scarlet Macaw Red Macaw Ara Macao - Macaw Facts
Hope it helps!

Have a great day!

It is ironic that you posted this...

During our breeder inquiries, one breeder, who many of you consider a top breeder in the country, offered me a semi tame 1 year old scarlet male at a price I could not refuse. Empty cage + incredible price + 90 days to return him... I figured why not?
Things are going incredibly well and I doubt that we will be returning him. He was not handled for 6 months.
We got him 6 days ago!
So far remembering step up is going great, gently takes food from fingers,, starting to let me touch him etc. :red:
His name is Kal El

 

[macawluv]

Oh I should add he was in an outdoor aviary with his sisters and brother, so his mind is perfectly intact, no neglect or damage to his psyche to undo