researching for a gw companion

[birdbrainzz4me]

hi all, i am brand new to the forum, never did a forum before. so here i go. i am looking into bringing in a gw to the family. i have grown up with my aunts african greys. one of whom only liked her and i. i have had both male and female soloman island eclectus, and used to volunteer for a reputable bird breeder, and actually had a life time chance to help wean a black palm, i have pictures to prove but they are old fashioned pics, and no scanner to upload them with. i have done so much research on the gw's that i don't know were else to go. and one thing i have read over and over again is to talk to someone who owns them. i only know one person with a b&g but he has aggression problems so any advice from them i would think to be invalid because they too are not very educated about the bird. so my question is, would being around the species of birds i have mentioned above be good experience for a gw? i am fully aware of how much they need, i have a room big enough for a indoor aviary, which i plan on getting. note that i am not planning on a wim, this is a serious run through of what im preparing for. if so choose to adopt. i understand their chewing and vocal habits. and the size enclosure they will need, i am thinking much bigger than what i have read because a bird with a close to 5 foot wing span needs to stretch out. and toys, toys, toys. plus all the love i can give. on top of all that i have a fairly large family so socialization with aunts uncles brothers and sisters nephew and neices are in tow. granted highly supervised around the kids. they need to learn respect, because a parrot is not a puppy or a kitty do not treat them as such. so to make this come to an end i am open to any advice, or opinions any one could give. i am very serious about this and need to know everything i can learn. one thing i have not found on the web sites is all the horror stories, which i know they are out there so why not post them. people need to hear those too because life is not always candy canes and rainbows. sorry to make this so lengthy but i believe i need more information. mainly concerning my past experience with the eclectus, african greys and the black palm. does that make me a elligable macaw owner? any reply's would be very much appreciated and thank you very much for taking the time to read this long post.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Welcome to the Forums.

And THANK YOU for researching, reading AND asking before your most awesome adventure (EVER) will begin.

Even though I don't have a GW (yet), I do have a B&G, and I can tell you that he is one of the loves of my life.

There are numerous GW owners here, and I know they will chime in and give you some AWESOME advice.

To me you sound like a perfect guardian for one of those magnificent red, gentle giants.

 

[birdbrainzz4me]

thank you as well jerseywendy for the welcoming. i surely do hope for as much advice as possible. when it comes to knowledge about animals i am quite the sponge, if not a sham wow! if those things actually work like they are claimed to. just an analogy. but i have been obsessing for nearly a month now and continuing. i do nothing but watch you tube videos on not just gw's but all species to get a better body language understanding, and personality traits. so i know what kind of idea to expect, but to also expect the unexpected. i do have to say i have been bit/ nipped and i am still not scared of the beak. reading on how they like to do the famous bluff lunge kinda reminds me of the baby black palms. they do this too with a hiss. from my understandings they do this as a natural instinct to ward of predators while a parent is gone, or surrogent mother from the breeder's side. but im am soooo looking forward to all the knowledge that i can gain from all of the bird families. it's almost like expecting your first born, granted i don't have children i could only imagine what that excitement would be like.

 

[JerseyWendy]

ROFLMAO @ the ShamWow comparison. THAT was hilarious!!

Your excitement truly shines through

I am SO envious of your experience with the Black Palms. That had to have been overwhelmingly awesome!

So I do have kids, but I'm the first to admit that the day I was finally able to bring my Niko (B & G) home with me, was JUST as exciting as giving birth.

 

[birdbrainzz4me]

to tell you the truth i was around 16 when i worked with the black palms. i knew they were rare but it didn't really register how much of a special thing it was to be able to do what i was able to do. the things that you don't realize when you're an adolescent. i do have to say it was and is a very great moment for me to remember and a sad one also. i dream of being able to be reunited with the palm i helped raised. we had a bond unlike any other i have had with all the different species of animals i have owned. it is truly a most special thing i hold in my memories and part of my life. for being so rare i do now look at it as holding the holy grail. i could go on and on about the palm i raised. i am going to try to get a picture of him on here granted he looks a little scruffy getting his feathers in. and the picture is kinda old and the back ground is dark so picture quality is not the greatest.

 

[plax]

I've only had my re-homed GW now for 6 months. Besides telling you a GW is a great choice, all I can say is that mine is: 1) absolutely beautiful; 2) quite bold & tenacious (while totally loving at the same time); 3) remarkably intelligent; and 4) just plain AMAZING on so many other levels! He has fit right in here .

It's a shame you weren't prepared to acquire your bird a bit sooner...GWs are the perfect color combination to serve as great Christmas gifts .

 

[WharfRat]

GW's..........where to start........:30:

I have raised and weaned both of mine from a very early age.

ReaRea is my pride and joy, she is by far the best of the flock hands down. She is also the only one that is easily handled by the wife and I although her loyalty is to me. She is a very loving and affectionate companion, I never thought I'd even have one til my breeder/ex-neighbor called and told me I "needed" this GW. I have a thread on here somewhere of pics of her growth and raising her, a timeline if you will. I'll find the link and post it here.

Then there's Miri, same parents, different clutch (right after ReaRea). Miri has the same qualities of ReaRea......BUT, only when she feels like it. :20: She has a stubborn streak that won't stop and can get VERY testy/mean towards the wife. When this happens all I have to do is step in and calm her down and then its ok for the wife to handle her. There is no doubt in my mind its a jealousy thing with ReaRea whom she constantly challenges. There are a few threads on that matter as well if you do a search for them.

Of our 5 birds, ReaRea is no doubt Queen of the household.

here's the growing up thread of ReaRea: http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/20351-green-wing-growing-up.html

 

[Cami]

@WharfRat: This is a great pic, I can only imagine what they're saying to one another!

 

[birdbrainzz4me]

thank you both plax and wharfrat for the advice. from what i can tell, it really is like they say. like people each bird has it's own personality. it's just our job to figure out their pet peeves and try to accomidate to them. so i just have to stick to my guns and work through the tough times like any relationship with a human.

 

[Turquoise]

Congrats on choosing a Green Wing for your first macaw. I have always wanted one & next year I am on a waiting list to get one from a breeder JerseyWendy put me in contact with in my state. I am owned by my 2 Catalina macaw brothers & they are super fun to listen to when they talk. And they are a trip to live with! I wouldn't take for either one of them.

I never owned a macaw before getting these two, but like you I have owned smaller parrots. Owning a macaw isn't so much about whether you have prior experience with the big boys. More so, it is the dedication and devotion you put into truly making them a part of your life & world. I too feel that my Roscoe is the 'love of my life' in feather form.

 

[birdbrainzz4me]

ooooo im so excited for you turquoise! i have been trying to find a good reputable breeder, i am in michigan and i'm afraid that there isn't any up here. there is a few places that get eggs of random parrot breeders and the people hatch them and nurse them. once they are weaned they sell them. i am on the fence about that. if they don't personally breed the birds themselves then how am i supposed to feel comfortable buying from these people. kinda sounds sketchy to me. most of the good breeders are in the warmer southern states and flying in a bird is also kinda sketchy for me because i would like to visit my baby while it's being weaned so it knows me at earlier stages and i also can have chances feeding him/her. and on top of that how am i supposed to know if these people are'nt scams or not. i would like to know my breeder personally and be able to know my new feather child as soon as possible and for it to know me as soon as possible. i bet you are excited as well about your gw. i already have names picked out lol and i am even figuring out a baby sitter plan for when i am at work. luckly enough i would be able to take them to work with me in the summer so i don't have to worry about that all year round. i am even thinking of all the places we could go together. mainly how much i can spoil my lil big feather fluff when i get them. it makes me so happy talking about them even when i talk to my fiancee he sees how happy i am and he instantly is just as happy. oh and thank you on your advice, i believe that is how i am going to make my approach to becoming a new gw parent. not looking at how much experience i have with large birds but how much love i will be putting towards them and what i will get back from them. like kids you give them hugs and kisses and they most likely give them back. and thats the most rewarding thing, getting the mutual love bond.

 

[lene1949]

Welcome to the forum...

You sound like you're doing your research... so good to hear..

.. and you have a male and female eclectus.. How long have you had them?

 

[birdbrainzz4me]

i unfortunately don't have my eclectus anymore i had to re home them due to living situations. but knowing were i am now i wish i had never done it. i had them for about 4 to 5 years. and it haunts me to no end that i had to part with them. there is a hole in my heart were they used to be. but i always think of them, and hope they are doing well. i don't want to be known as a terrible parrot owner, because of it. i truly love them and miss them terribly. it brings me to tears on bad days, and even good days thinking if they are alright. i hope nobody judges me because of it. but at least i am not lying about the situation. they say learn from your mistakes, and trust to believe, i have learned alot!

 

[JerseyWendy]

If you would like a head start at finding a reputable breeder, may I suggest www.birdbreeders.com

There are a few in Michigan, however, none have a website. I don't know if any of them are still in business, but you could always call them and ask. Some of them may actually be able to point you in the right direction of breeders who may not even be listed on birdbreeders.

And please don't feel badly about having to rehome your Ekkie. Sometimes things happen that we just can't foresee.

 

[birdbrainzz4me]

thank you so much jersey. i am definitely going to that website. and since i have became a member of this forum i enjoy reading every body's stories with their birds. i cannot wait to share my future stories with the rest of the flock. i think i might have to invest in a cam corder so i can share all the videos as well. and thank you again for understanding about my ekkies.

 

[JerseyWendy]

thank you so much jersey. i am definitely going to that website. and since i have became a member of this forum i enjoy reading every body's stories with their birds. i cannot wait to share my future stories with the rest of the flock. i think i might have to invest in a cam corder so i can share all the videos as well. and thank you again for understanding about my ekkies.

It is entirely my pleasure.

One tiny, itsy bitsy favor: Please...call me Wendy. I was born and raised in Germany...the only reason I chose "JerseyWendy" for a Username is because I live in Jersey, lol.

And I can't wait for pictures and updates from you.

 

[birdbrainzz4me]

oh sorry my bad. i will remember that from now on. and i found a breeder that is ten minutes away from my house! on the breeders.com site you told me about. thanks again.

 

[Turquoise]

Hey, glad you were able to find a breeder that close to you. Hope it will work out for you. The breeder I am waiting on is too far from me for me to be able to visit the babies once they are hatched. I haven't checked for sure, but I would guesstimate she is at least 600 miles from me. I looked on the birdbreeders.com this morning & saw a 3 month old GW girl I'd love to have. I did send an email for more info on her, but highly unlikely I will be able to get her. The breeder is in Washington state, which I know they can be shipped, but I worry about that way of getting them here. What intrigues me about this baby GW is that her dad bit the tip of her left wing off when she was a day old which means she is not perfect. Something about staring at het photo on the site just makes me feel I have a connection with her. We shall see if it is meant for me to get her.

Don't beat yourself up about having to re-home your ekkies. The parrots I had in thev90s I found a very good & loving home for through a mutual friend due to my hubby being laid off of his oil pipeline job of 20 yrs. when the company sold out. He we.t to driving an 18 wheeler over the road & my 2 old toy poodles and I rode with him for 5 yrs. That's the reason I am just beginning to build my flock again. I didn't want to get larger parrots (I have kept budgies for years) for a long time. I am glad I chose macaws as it has been my passion to own one since I was young.

 

[birdbrainzz4me]

i saw her last week through a different website also. i remember reading about it. i worry about shipping a bird because sometimes these places are scams. my friends thought they were going to be getting two English bulldogs and had already spent $2400 on two of them. the place apparently told them the dogs were going to be arriving at their house at such a day. right then and there i knew this was a fraud, because i work for a bichon frise breeder now and any dogs they receive or ship out they have to be at the air port to pick up the dogs. needless to say the place wanted another $1200 to send another puppy and luckily they were smart to learn from their mistake and didn't waste any more of their money. i can't believe they did this with out asking me first about it. i could have saved them from being scammed like that.

 

[JJones1719]

Welcome to the forum.
I currently own a 6 year old SI Male Eclectus who's name is Guapo. He was my first bird I ever purchased. Although a complete cuddle bug, he tends to be a bit of a bully to other Parrots of his sizes or smaller. I work everyother day from home so on the days where i have to go into the Office, I wanted another bird to keep Guapo company. I too did my homework and found that the best fit for me was a Male GW Macaw. So I called my breeder in VA to see what available GW she had, to my luck, she advised me of a huge GW baby that just hatched on April fools day. I drove from MD to VA to meet this huge bird.
I was able to hold the GW and knew in a second that this GW was for me.
I named him Neleno and he is now 5 years old.
From day one, Guapo had to show Neleno that he was and will always be the head bird in this Family. Guapo rules the roost.

It's funny to watch such a small Parrot go after a huge parrot and watch the huge parrot back down. Don't get me wrong, they happen to just love eachother and If i correct one bird, the other is always there to let me know just how far i can go to correct them.

I am always in the room and within an arm's distance away when they are out of their cages and I know to never give an inch or they will take a mile.

Due to your past in working with medium size Parrots, I would advise you to go for the GW. Next to the HY Macaws, you will not find a better Macaw. GW and HY are known as the gentle giants in the Parrot world and it's because of this, they form amazing bonds with their owners unlike anyother bond you will ever have with any animal. It's true that some Macaws and GW alike can become a one person bird so know this before purchasing one.

I'm glad that you have such support from your Family as you will need it. GW are very messy but if you clean their cage 2 times per week, you should be just fine. They also have their moments in the morning and early evening. They may or may not give a Macaw scream or two but the screams should be short and never for any great deal of time.
I believe that people who have many birds in their homes have Macaws who maybe more loud then most. The reason is, they are all competing to be heard, so try to keep the bird count low. Parrots are like potato chips, you just can't have one. Bless the amount of People who have many Macaws in their homes, they are saints.

okay enough of the horror story, now for every reason why you should have a GW. Besides the amazing bond, they show love, respect, and focus all their attn on their owner, owners.
They will be everything you want them to be as long as you put the effort into them.
GW thrive on schedules, they are like a 4 year old child. They need no less then 12 hours of sleep everyday, they must be in the middle of whatever is going on around them. They need a great diet, fresh fruit, veggies, good pellets, nuts and dry fruit as treats. the change of water no less then 3 times per day. 2 showers every week. Vet visits every 6 months. Wings and nail trims. toys, oh did I mention lots of toys, they go through many toys in a matter of days. I have learned to make my own.
I want to retire one day.lol

Don't be put off on Breeders who fly their Macaws to different states, if you know of a Breeder like mine in VA, just IM me and I will give you her info. She is amazing to deal with.

I hope the best for you and your future GW. Please ask many questions here and the Members are great with getting back to you with great advise because we all live it. Thanks Joe