Should I get a B&G Macaw

[KeroRocks]

So I'm torn. I really want a larger bird. I have two Green Cheek conures, a Quaker, a Sun Conure and a Hahns Macaw. None of which are very cuddly birds. My Hahns loves to be with me, on me, on anyone, actually, but doesn't really like scritches and is more of a monkey than a bird. i.e. he never stops moving...ever! LOL

I'm stuck on deciding if I want an African Grey or a Macaw. I know I don't want a Cockatoo. I had a Goffin for a time. He was a wild caught, over 26 year old male who didn't like women. I'm female and he was super aggressive with me. I did everything to get him to like me and he just got more and more agressive. I had to find a male to rehome him with and I hear he's very happy now.

I own my own home and I teach so I am home a lot. I get out of work by 2:15 most days. My birds are out of their cages whenever I'm home. They are only caged when I can't be there. My home is plenty large enough for a big cage. I already have one large cage for my Hahns.

I'd really like a bird that's cuddly. I want him/her to want to hang out on my lap getting scritches. My understanding is that Macaws are more cuddly than Greys. I would totally be willing to adopt an older bird but there aren't any rescues this far north in New England. The closest are Connecticut but they won't adopt to someone more than two hours away.

So thoughts? Concerns? Criticisms? Throw them at me...I want to really decide if I should try to get a Macaw.

Thanks

 

[JerseyWendy]

If you truly have the time and motivation, I'd say go for it. Now mind you, from what I've learned, not all big macs remain cuddly and snuggly as they reach maturity. There may then be times you won't be able to get your cuddle fix in.

Niko (my B&G) is a VERY active bird. He will be 4 this month, and he is a busy body. Always playing, hanging upside down, destroying things, foraging, etc. Yes, he DOES cuddle, but not always necessarily on my terms.

 

[Mozzy]

You can always look on craigslist for older birds.
Good luck on whatever decision you make!

 

[ShellyBorg]

I would look for a older bird (10+) that likes to cuddle.

 

[KeroRocks]

I found a 4 year old with cage. I'm going to visit him on Wednesday to see how it goes. Wish me luck

 

[Abigal7]

I have a Hahns Macaw and he likes cuddles on his own terms. My Hahns macaw hangs upside etc like a monkey and moves around too. He will also come to me when called. From my experience green cheek conures and Hahns Macaws are cuddle and will lay on their backs. I never had a large macaw but I imagine they would lay on their backs and be cuddly when in the mood. Is your conures and mini macaw at all cuddly? Do they like stitches under their wings? I do not know if African Greys and inclined to lay on their backs etc. They are considered smart birds and good talkers. Anyways, if you feel certain I would say go for it.

 

[KeroRocks]

I met a 4 year old B&G macaw yesterday but he didn't pick me..."The Wand chooses the wizard, Harry."

You could tell how much he loved his owner and he wanted nothing to do with me at all.

My search continues...

 

[jde2]

I got my first B&G when she was a little over 6-7 months old, shes now 8 years old. She LOVES attention! She always wants to be held, fed and scratched. Very affectionate bird but the sad part about it is that she's only like that with me. No one else can ever touch her or come around us. She's very protective of me.
My second B&G is about 4 years old. She's a bit nippy. I cant cuddle with her like my first. I can only pet her cautiously. I've had her for about 6 months now.

 

[Gizmomania]

The breeder through whom I'm getting my baby CAG also breeds harlequin and green wing Macaws. The green wing babies will be fully weaned by December, and the harlequins will be weaned within the next few weeks.

He ships his birds, and knows what he's doing, as he's the main bird keeper at the San Diego Zoo. If you're interested in looking into his clutches, PM me.

 

[Blancaej]

I have a 20 year old greenwing macaw that I rehomed this past April. She is a complete cuddle bug! BUT, keep in mind, everybird is different. Species doesn't always matter. Some may like to cuddle and some may not. There is no guarantee unless you get an older bird that is known for cuddling. Hope that helps and good luck!

I am picking up a 10 year old b&g on the 29th of this month, so I can't give you any feedback on them as of yet!

I have heard that toos like to cuddle, perhaps a too from a breeder may be a good option.

 

[thekarens]

From the big macaws that I've had and known the greenwings were cuddlier than the b&gs and they are my preference since I can't afford a hyacinth, but I'm sure there are a lot of cuddly b&gs out there.

 

[Birdman666]

From the big macaws that I've had and known the greenwings were cuddlier than the b&gs and they are my preference since I can't afford a hyacinth, but I'm sure there are a lot of cuddly b&gs out there.

GOTTA LOVE THOSE GREENWINGS...

First of all, you get out of a mac what you put into it... They don't come that way. They get that way by working with them, and bonding. This takes time and trust. Do the work, go at the bird's pace, and don't force the interaction.

Second, they are UBER attention oriented. You can create a monster if you hold one too much.

Third, they are UBER attention oriented. Just like a human toddler, if they don't get the good kind of attention, they will do something to get the bad kind of attention, because any attention is better than none. Ignore one for too long and they get mad! Cage one for too long, and they get REALLY mad!

When they get mad, they pinch if they are tame, and bite the crap out of you if they are not.

Fourth, they are pair bond birds. If allowed to overbond, they will be super cuddly with you, but may become super attack-y with everyone else, and that beak is no joke. So socialization, socialization, and more socialization with any of the big guys...

 

[Birdman666]

I met a 4 year old B&G macaw yesterday but he didn't pick me..."The Wand chooses the wizard, Harry."

You could tell how much he loved his owner and he wanted nothing to do with me at all.

My search continues...

That is what happens when they overbond. This bird needs to be socialized more... with strangers. My guess is the owner is having problems with this bird around everyone who isn't him or her...

Which is probably one of the reasons he is rehoming the bird...