Recomendation for Macaws

[parrotkid23]

I am 13 and i am not thinking about getting a macaw until i am out of college but i am just thinking about it. I have read great things about Green Wings, Blue and Golds, and Hyacinths. I know they all have great personallities and they love to cuddle and are playful. But i heard that the B&G can test there owner's limits. And that all the macaws beak can injure you pretty badly so i am kinda in a beak phoebia. But if being nipped and bit can be trained to stop then i will be set. If anyone has tips or opinions on which i should get in the future that would be great.

 

[mellykyitus]

if you are a parrot guardian i guarantee that you will get bitten at some point! it takes someone special to care for a parrot and take the good with the bad.
maybe you could find a macaw owner so you can spend some time with their bird first to decide. if you have a bird that you are a bit scared of it won't work. birds will pick up on your fear and wont trust you.

 

[parrotkid23]

Thanks i do realize that now but i think that if i get nipped it is not going to kill me it would probably give a cut but do you have a species recomendations!

 

[mellykyitus]

i've only had a blue and gold and she is lovely and very cuddly. but a lot of people have greenwings and they are known to be cuddly, but they do have larger beaks!

 

[parrotkid23]

i have heard though that the blue and gold will test there owners limits has this ever happened with you and angel?

 

[mellykyitus]

not yet LOL! she has only just turned 1 though. i think when birds sexually mature they get a surge of hormones and can act up. macaws are around 5 when they go through "puberty" but any mature bird can get extra cranky in spring

 

[kobe629]

I don't own a macaw and have been thinking of getting a red fronted macaw because it is smaller and easier to manage but something to consider is that they can be loud and the money for toys. I think it's better to get a bird after you finish college just due to the cost, time and space. A bird is a lifetime commitment.

 

[parrotkid23]

i have heard a lot of good things about the blue and gold right now i am more leaning towards them but i am defenatly not getting one soon need to focus on my first who is coming home in 2 weeks

 

[IolaniAviary]

I would suggest starting with a small parrot if you have any phobia at all. The others are 100% correct, birds can sense your fear. They will either become frightened in return, or they might try to take advantage of that fear. My other half is extremely afraid of birds, and interacting with our Quaker has helped him a lot. I couldn't imagine just throwing a Macaw on him... heck I wouldn't even throw some of my Lovebirds on him lol! No matter what you choose, start with a chick. Having a bird from a weaned baby seems to help a lot of people with their fear.

 

[parrotkid23]

i am starting small right now with my gcc. when i would actually get the macaw would be after college or if i take online college then thats when i would focus more on the macaw and thanks mellykyitus for the idea about visiting a macaw owner i have a local avairy that is great and breeds green wings, blue and golds, and scarlets. And i think i will get used to birds by playing with birds at the aviary and be playing with my GCC who is going to come home soon soo excited.

 

[IolaniAviary]

Great! Sounds like you are taking good measures to make sure that you find the right bird and have conquered any hesitation or fear.

 

[Nimwey]

Now I know you're not getting this bird at this young age, but I still think you should read something I wrote on another board the other day. It's something anyone, especially young people, should think about before getting a parrot, especially a large one like a macaw. (And even if you wait until after college, you will still be very young.)
Thinking of getting a Military? - Page 5

And I do not agree with those that say you should get a chick. I say only get a rehome or rescue. (Which I also tell everyone who's thinking of getting a bird.)
Why, I'm also explaining in that post.

 

[Conurekidd]

Beak phobia is a huge and not a good phobia to have. If your afraid of the bite you'll get bit much more and it will hurt much worse. I'm glad your doing research and adopting a gcc first. Your gonna love it!!! I plan on getting a macaw or another amazon when I move in the next couple of months.
And so far iv read that b&g are the sweet clowns ad to scarlets are nippy and green wings are independent. I want a b&g and have a breeder that has great prices
So I can't wait.

 

[parrotkid23]

Hope u have fun with getting a B&G