Re-homing a Harlequin Macaw

[Tesla]

Hi folks
I have had birds since I was 3 and I'm now 50, after a few years of going without after my Grey passed away I have recently acquired a year old BFA who was very hand shy but is great now. I work from home and have all the time in the world to spend with my bird. I have recently been asked if I would re-home a harlequin macaw of 11 years as his owner can no longer spend any time with him.
Now I have had a Goffin a Grey and an Amazon but this is by far the largest bird I have ever had. I know an adjustment period is to be expected but I would like some input from actual macaw owners as to what differences I can expect with owning a macaw and the pros and cons.
Thanks in advance.

 

[thekarens]

Night and day Macs are like mischievous 2 year olds. Our grey passed away a couple years ago and we now have a blue throated mac. Totally different. Have you met the bird?

 

[Tesla]

Yes I have and he took to me immediately, letting me pet his head and under his wings. Seems like a good match but I'm sure that once I get him home the adjustment period will start.

 

[thekarens]

If he took to you already I'd say more than half the battle has already been won.

I have no experience with harlequins, but I'd say the biggests differences is the fact that macs in general are very hands on and in general require more attention.

Hopefully Wendy, Mark etc will pop in. They both have zons and macs.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

If you have had a Grey ,Zon and Goffin this is going to be easy [just kidding]. I think Macaws are happy being included in your activities, Ive had three ,they join us for dinner ,walks and soccer games. Finding a toy they like to keep busy is a plus .

 

[Birdbrain91]

Is the Harlequin the only bird in his home ? I adopted a 13 year old B&G about 8 months ago and I'm still working on jealousy issues. He was an only bird.

Macs are a lot of work but I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Birdman666]

Night and day Macs are like mischievous 2 year olds. Our grey passed away a couple years ago and we now have a blue throated mac. Totally different. Have you met the bird?

I SECOND WHAT SHE SAID...

I have two macs, to amazons and a CAG, and they are outside the cage 24/7, and they get along just fine.

Working with a mac is all about boundary setting. As long as you set and maintain the boundaries, and don't let them get the upper hand by screaming, and biting, and any of those things, they are the most toddler like of all of them. Big mushy lap birds... but they want to be handled more than your average zon does.

People inadvertently train these birds to bite and to scream, (i.e. they get their way when they do it, so they keep doing it, and they push the limits to see what else they can get away with.) If they don't get away with it, they don't do it.

They're actually pretty simple to work with, because they are so attention oriented and loving... But that cuts both ways. They tend to get mad when they don't get enough attention.