Saw my little baby again.. but.. torn..

[Selestine]

Now THAT is undeniable!

 

[Birdman666]

Now THAT is undeniable!

If you spend more than five minutes a day on a parrot chat room? I'm just saying, YOU PROBABLY FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY...

Addict is fine.

Hoarder, not so much...

Hoarder crosses the line. That's when you need to "get help."

 

[samhatch]

Good choice going with your original thoughts. Something obviously made you choose him in the beginning, so stick with him. Can't wait to see more pics

 

[Selestine]

I actually just got this adorable picture of him (and his scarlet friend) from my breeder. I love how he has his wing over the scarlet like they're hugging.

Can't wait to cuddle him again tomorrow!

 

[LeaKP]

Ah, jealous! So cute! I've always steered away from these guys for fear of the beak but these pics are swaying me...

 

[Selestine]

When I first got my Eclectus I was a little afraid of his beak. They actually have REALLY big beaks for their size.. dwarfs an African Grey or a Galah's beak, and they're all similarly sized birds.

After having him for a bit and realizing how gentle and sweet he is, though, his beak doesn't phase me at all. He's always got my fingers in his mouth, he preens hubby's beard, rests his beak against my cheek and closes his eyes, etc.

I would have been way too scared of a macaw beak at first, but now that I've been around birds more.. I mean, it still seems big (I swear, it's like the size of my Eckie's head).. but not scary anymore.

And I swear, it's the little ones that hurt the most! When I go to visit my baby there are always others flying around who land on you. I think African Greys must hate me, because they always end up biting me. And gosh darn if that doesn't hurt! Their little beaks are so SHARP and POINTY, omg. If my eckie gets too riled up when we're playing (he likes to beak wrestle) and gets me with the same amount of pressure as those Greys, it is really just an uncomfortable squeeze.

Edit: The first time I saw a macaw we were looking at cockatiels as a possible bird for my daughter (she got a sun conure) and the macaw was tearing apart a two-by-four! I near had a heart attack.

 

[LeaKP]

I had african grays and loved them. One was so attached to me because I hand fed him and the other was a rescue that never warmed up to anyone. I never handled a macaw until a few weeks ago when I got our gcc Peep. Peep is awesome and getting easier to handle by the day. He steps up, cuddles in my neck and now will lie in my hands but won't yet let go, I.e., he hangs on to my fingers while lying back.

While I was in the breeders store getting Peep, I handled a macaw and he was lovely, so cuddly! Maybe one day...for now my Peep needs all our attention as he is the only bird in the house now.

Thanks for all the info tho...who knows what may happen one day?

 

[Selestine]

We have a green cheek conure, too. She is so, so, so sweet and adorable.

Birdman always says that conures are like little shrunken macaws

 

[LeaKP]

Yet another confirmation that someday...

I am glad to have found this forum and learn so much. It has put me light years ahead of where I was.

 

[Taw5106]

Both, both, both, both.... A two for one payment transaction, lol!

 

[Timothy]

And now I'm just not sure what to do. They're both adorable, I couldn't say that one is cuter than the other. And they're both birds that are known for being snuggly and friendly and "easy" so far as macaws goes. I just have... no idea how to decide.

Does anyone happen to know if one or the other would be more likely to be... chill? Like, lay in bed and watch a movie together chill?

Well, in my honest opinion, if you want a chill bird, Neither and Either is a good choice. Macaws can be Ornery, and they can be mellow. The harlequin is half blue and gold, and you get those great qualities there. I used to sell both of em and honestly, it's a toss up. I have a 7 yr old Blue and Gold. Love her to death. Sometimes i regret not choosing a harlequin (Cause that was my toss up aswell)

I personally see more personality in harlequins. But they can also be a little more to handle. Every bird is different and this is just MY PERSONAL opinion and i could be completely wrong!! this is just what i've seen in my experience. Harlequins have sooo much personality and they're soo cuddly. B&G's are chill and Ornery at the same time! So honestly? Spend time with both of them and let one of them choose you

But, the best thing you can do is get both Macaws are awesome!

 

[Timothy]

Oh and i must point out your incorrectness Sir!! You do not in fact own any birds. See, from the moment they enter your house,you belong to them!!

Let me rephrase that: You are His, and He owns You..

No 2 ways about it.

 

[Birdman666]

When I first got my Eclectus I was a little afraid of his beak. They actually have REALLY big beaks for their size.. dwarfs an African Grey or a Galah's beak, and they're all similarly sized birds.

After having him for a bit and realizing how gentle and sweet he is, though, his beak doesn't phase me at all. He's always got my fingers in his mouth, he preens hubby's beard, rests his beak against my cheek and closes his eyes, etc.

I would have been way too scared of a macaw beak at first, but now that I've been around birds more.. I mean, it still seems big (I swear, it's like the size of my Eckie's head).. but not scary anymore.

And I swear, it's the little ones that hurt the most! When I go to visit my baby there are always others flying around who land on you. I think African Greys must hate me, because they always end up biting me. And gosh darn if that doesn't hurt! Their little beaks are so SHARP and POINTY, omg. If my eckie gets too riled up when we're playing (he likes to beak wrestle) and gets me with the same amount of pressure as those Greys, it is really just an uncomfortable squeeze.

Edit: The first time I saw a macaw we were looking at cockatiels as a possible bird for my daughter (she got a sun conure) and the macaw was tearing apart a two-by-four! I near had a heart attack.

I AGREE. I would much rather deal with a pissed off big mac than a pissed off CAG. The big mac will probably just pinch. The CAG draws blood every time, and those birds have a beak like a scissors...

I used to give people heart attacks just to get their attention so they wouldn't do anything foolish. I've been using ABC blocks as foot toys for years. When I take my birds out in public I keep one in my pocket. I give them to people and invite them to snap them in half, and get them to agree that it would take an incredible amount of force, and would be difficult to impossible to do...

Then I hand it to Maggie, who snaps it like a twig!!!

Then I remind people NOT to stick their fingers in her face.

I've never had to remind anyone twice... It gets my point across fairly convincingly. Especially when I compare the thickness and density of a wood block to the thickness and density of an arm bone...

OH YES THEY COULD!!!

They don't because we train them not to, and don't do anything stupid to provoke them... but they certainly could if they were so inclined.

The fact that they would much rather be a mushy pile of feathers on your lap speaks volumes...

 

[Timothy]

When I first got my Eclectus I was a little afraid of his beak. They actually have REALLY big beaks for their size.. dwarfs an African Grey or a Galah's beak, and they're all similarly sized birds.

After having him for a bit and realizing how gentle and sweet he is, though, his beak doesn't phase me at all. He's always got my fingers in his mouth, he preens hubby's beard, rests his beak against my cheek and closes his eyes, etc.

I would have been way too scared of a macaw beak at first, but now that I've been around birds more.. I mean, it still seems big (I swear, it's like the size of my Eckie's head).. but not scary anymore.

And I swear, it's the little ones that hurt the most! When I go to visit my baby there are always others flying around who land on you. I think African Greys must hate me, because they always end up biting me. And gosh darn if that doesn't hurt! Their little beaks are so SHARP and POINTY, omg. If my eckie gets too riled up when we're playing (he likes to beak wrestle) and gets me with the same amount of pressure as those Greys, it is really just an uncomfortable squeeze.

Edit: The first time I saw a macaw we were looking at cockatiels as a possible bird for my daughter (she got a sun conure) and the macaw was tearing apart a two-by-four! I near had a heart attack.

I AGREE. I would much rather deal with a pissed off big mac than a pissed off CAG. The big mac will probably just pinch. The CAG draws blood every time, and those birds have a beak like a scissors...

I used to give people heart attacks just to get their attention so they wouldn't do anything foolish. I've been using ABC blocks as foot toys for years. When I take my birds out in public I keep one in my pocket. I give them to people and invite them to snap them in half, and get them to agree that it would take an incredible amount of force, and would be difficult to impossible to do...

Then I hand it to Maggie, who snaps it like a twig!!!

Then I remind people NOT to stick their fingers in her face.

I've never had to remind anyone twice... It gets my point across fairly convincingly. Especially when I compare the thickness and density of a wood block to the thickness and density of an arm bone...

OH YES THEY COULD!!!

They don't because we train them not to, and don't do anything stupid to provoke them... but they certainly could if they were so inclined.

The fact that they would much rather be a mushy pile of feathers on your lap speaks volumes...

Yep, i love using this technique to teach people about the awesomeness of my Blue and Gold macaw, I just got to show off my flock to the new neighbors today, nice girl moved in, shes pretty cute Maya is like a dude with a baby, Makes it easy to win hearts. Especially when i pet her and all her feathers ruffle and she pusheh into it. Makes a girl's heart melt