The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

[ParkersMom]

I need every ones help please
I am really wanting to add a Macaw to our family and I am sure I would make a great macaw parent... however...my husband is very apprehensive... I would like to ask if everyone could post the pros and cons of owning a macaw...he has done a little research but I would feel more comfortable with it coming from devoted bird owners not some junk floating around the internet
...we currently have a bf amazon who is 8 months old Thanks for your time

 

[brucey]

hi
i wouldnt say i was an experienced owner, ive only had mine since last june and i love mine, i used to own cockiteils when i was a kid and macaws are totally different they are very messy and noisy but friendly and sociable. when i bought mine i made sure he fits into my lifesyle, id say read up on them before u make desicions

 

[94lt1]

Are you getting a new young macaw? Or are you getting a macaw that's been passed around? That makes a difference...

Either way, macaws are awesome birds, but a bird that's been passed around will be more work... they feel insecure IMHO.. I know Monte did/does. We're great friends now, but he still has his moments..

Has your amazon gotten over stimulated and bit you yet??? That's always a concern... some birds will only nip, others can open you up really easily... just something to consider...


But, a relationship with birds is pretty much a situation where you get more out of it, when you put a lot into it. They need to feel like they're part of the flock... just my .02$

We have a yn amazon(rescue bird) scarlet macaw (passed around a lot) 2 budgies, and our sun conure.

So you can see that the two big birds required more work, but they're so worth it...

 

[JerseyWendy]

I don't know WHERE to begin, lol.

Niko's been with me for nearly 3 years (got him when he was 4 months), and he's bee a GREAT joy to us all. He is extremely playful, funny, mischieveous, ornery and lovable. He is an acrobat, for sure. He can go through a BIG toy in a matter of a day, if he's in the right mood for it. He loves making noise. Not so much by screaming, but by ringing his bell LOUDLY and frequently, and by clanking around his rattle.

Then there's Ripley, who's been with us for 2 weeks now. This guy is LOUD when he feels like it. First time he "let lose" I heard church bells ringing in my ears for a while (but he was on me when he did it). He, too, chews like a mad man.

I honestly can't think of anything BAD or UGLY with my guys. I knew what I was in store for, so nothing really surprised me (much).

IMO Macs can make AMAZING companions. I don't ever want to be without either of mine.

Downside: CAN be noisy at times, become a toy maker, it'll save you LOTS of money

 

[noblemacaw]

I have had mini macaws and now my RFM. The RFM is the biggest parrot I have ever had. I am debating on a Blue throated macaw and THAT will be as large as I go. My partner Lupe had a huge bird phobia but because of the experience of Mihijo my Noble macaw she has come a long way and has learned what wonderful companions parrots make. Back when she was 8 years old her brother and her captured a wild RFM for her grandma who loved parrots. In the process of capturing the RFM she was severly bit in the forearm with the RFM taking a huge chunk of the arm so she still sports the scar of the experience in more ways than one. So I understand where you are coming from with concerns with your husbands un-comfort with the large parrots.

When the decision to get Valentino a RFM we had a serious discussion of if the baby macaw would bring back such uncomfortable and frighting memories. Lupe said she would be alright and should be okay with Valentino. Since Valentino has come home and since I am the one who takes care of him, hand feeding him and with the training he is bonding more to me so when Lupe interacts with him I make sure I am out of the room. She does help me with him but I have noticed when he grabbed her hand with his beak she stressed out. As with all baby parrots they need to learn appropriate pressure and I am in process of that training. He has not bit or hurt anyone but if he grabs just a tad to hard I can tell that causes Lupe to lock up a bit. Baby parrots learn their strength and need to be taught what is appropriate with their humans. Valentino does not bite but he does do some weird things with his beak.

Are you looking to get a large macaw or have you looked into the mini-macaws? Depending on which mini macaw the size could be close to your BFA.

 

[c3honey84]

My only advice is to take your BFA into consideration. Is he a jealous bird? Would he be jealous if you got a new bird? The only reason I say this is because when my mom got her blue and gold macaw, her umbrella cockatoo was only about a year old. He developed all kinds of jealousy issues. He started plucking his chest and will scream for hours, which he never did before the blue and gold arrived. Just be careful is all. You know your bird better than anyone.

 

[ParkersMom]

im looking at maybe a BG or a Scarlett
Parker doesn't seem to be jealous...I have cats and dog and I have a friend who has a Yn amazon and they do fine in the same room when we go on vacation

 

[goalerjones]

Pros:
Love and affection
Adds "color" to the home by vocalizations and antics
Time spent training increases value of bond
They are clowns
Cons:
Noise levels
Messy eaters
Food regimen especially with two birds, can be time consuming
Cage cleaning
Bites
Socialization time needs to be dedicated for each bird.
Cost of food, toys, perches, stands doubles
Long life of large birds.

This isn't something to be entered into lightly. Its two times the work, two times the mess. And there is no guarantee they will get along.

 

[WharfRat]

Do some searches in the Macaw forum with my username, there are a "few" threads I started in there. But I will post my "rules" for you in here at least!

Please take with a grain of salt

(I will update as I think of more)

1. SAY WHAT?!?!?!? I own YOU, you don't own me!

2. That bite wasn't hard, I'll show you hard!

3. About that new bird you just got......you just thought I was hard to deal with before!

4. Yes, I will yell at the top of my lungs when you're cooking food in the kitchen and you won't let me out.

5. You know those little scars I leave with my claws?? Don't worry, I plan on chewing them off later.

6. Of course I'm nicer to your wife....you're an ..........

7. You know those Zon's in the next cage?? I told them to hate you or they were TOAST!

8. When I'm screaming at the top of my lungs, it means I NEED something, MORON!!

9. Yes, I will continue pooping on the floor............DEAL WITH IT!!!

10. We know you're really tired of all the food we scatter everywhere daily and you have to clean it up.............WE DON'T CARE!!
__________________

 

[Remy]

Darcy is pretty clean, and not super noisy! When he squawks, he is noisy, and occasionally he will go on for a few minutes if he is feeling lonely. He is very gentle, and always gives warning if he is going to bite (and he hasn't bitten without a good reason). He is very sweet and cuddly. Right now he is grooming my face. He is actually cleaner than Puck was, because he doesn't throw food, doesn't poop as much, and keeps his poop inside the cage, mostly.

I think he's pretty intelligent and thoughtful too. He actually seems to have a concept of waste! He will set down food where he can get it again, when he wants to save for later, instead of dropping it.

 

[aliray]

Warfrat, everytime I read your rules about being owned by a macaw I crack up laughing. That is why I stick to the smaller birds

 

[JerseyWendy]

Warfrat, everytime I read your rules about being owned by a macaw I crack up laughing. That is why I stick to the smaller birds

I laugh, too....but each and every rule actually applies. :54:

 

[Birdlover11]

Not an expert, but I know just like all parrots that they need a good diet with lots of attention. Vet bills can be VERY high for all large birds, anybody have any examples ?

 

[burley]

I have 2 greenwings. Both rescues. Val was dog bit when we got her. she was about 4 or 5 when we got her. Took to me right away and will,(on her terms) tolerate my 2 sons . they are 13 and 15. Will not let my wife near her! She is quiet loving smart beautifull ect... My freind and pal! Pepper came to us this last summer. He Is presumed to be about 18 years old. Owners could not handle him anymore. Will strike at the cage and try to attack anything and anybody. One day like turning on a light switch he decided my oldest boy will be his person and it is now like they they have been friends for years. total trust. My son can put this big bird upside down under his shirt and the bird loves it. He has suffered a few small nips, but the bird has opened me up! After 6 months I can stand next to the cage without being under constant attack. We will eventually become friends, I hope. Posted this to show breeds may have similarites but each is an individual. Some good some bad some ugly.

 

[ziggybird]

Hi there!

I grew up with a DYH Amazon (Ziggy) and a BG Macaw (Max) who are both about 30. My parents have had them since before I was even born, and they still happily live with them in Chicago (I live in LA now and just brought home a baby meyers).

I'm not sure if Max is "typical" but here's a bit about his personality and how it contrasts with my amazon.

Max likes to act like he is a big fierce bird. He will lunge at people as they pass his perch and sit at the bottom of his cage and bite at the bars, but he is really just a big softy! He is SUPER cuddly with my dad (his favorite person) and lets him do pretty much anything he wants to him. He also loves me and my mom and will let us cuddle, unless my dad walks in the room, then he only wants him!

Max has only bitten me hard once in my life, and that was when I was a toddler and poked him in his cage. I still have that scar! He doesn't bite my mom either. However once in a while he will bite my dad HARD. It's usually when he's riled up about something, but sometimes it does come out of nowhere!

Like all macaws he can be VERY loud at times, and very messy. And when he wants something, you better give it to him! And he LOVES to be a trouble maker!

He enjoys the company of Ziggy and always wants to have her in his sight, but we can't put them on the same perch or the same cage otherwise he will try to bite her. Also they can get VERY jealous of each other! Both birds prefer my dad, so when he is giving attention to one, the other one gets upset!

He also depends on his routine. And if that is broken he can get quite ornery.

All that being said, he is super loving, and super sweet (even though I'm not his favorite), and he's really funny! If you have the time (he needs ALOT of attention), patience, and can tolerate loud screeches, and very large messes, I would get one. Then again gorwing up with him and being as in love with him as I am, I am super bias

 

[Merlee]

This is not directed towards the OP, but towards anybody who is even considering an exotic bird.

All of the preceding posts are true, but I didn't see anyone saying the worst part which is the possessiveness that a bird will show towards it's favorite person.

None of the posts talk about the hormone season that occurs annually when the bird reaches maturity. That sweet loving bird may have the capacity to turn on you for 6-8 weeks.

When deciding to get any exotic bird, these are very important issues to consider. Are you or your family members willing to deal with the possibilitiy of being lunged at or bitten if you are not the favorite person chosen by the bird. The words "owned by a parrot" are gospel because that is exactly what you are getting.

I was very short and sweet about these behaviors, so I recommend anybody who is considering an exotic bird of any type to learn more about this before making a commitment. Many birds are misunderstood and rehomed by their owners because of ignorance.

Ask yourself these questions:

Are you willing to spend a lot of money on vet bills? Are you willing to find a certified avian vet and drive a long distance if there isn't one in your hometown? Do you have a carrier for the bird to get to the vet?

Are you willing to spend a good amount of money on pelleted food and new toys on a weekly or monthly basis?

Are you willing to provide play areas for your bird other than its cage?

Do you or your family members have 1-2 hours for one-on-one interaction with the bird?


If you cannot honestly say you are willing to deal with any of these things, then an exotic bird is not for you.

 

[Jumpinslizzy]

We are new macaw owners. Our situation is that I work from home and my wife is gone for most of the day at work. Our military has definitely bonded more with me than my wife. We still make it work though. My recommendation would be that if your husband wants to have a genuine relationship with the bird but is apprehensive, it will be tough. He's got to be all in and willing to put the 1 on 1 time into training and spending quality time with your new family member. Macaws will certainly pick up on any negative feelings. Good luck and certainly let me know if you have any questions about socializing your new friend.

 

[ParkersMom]

Well...we brought home a 2-3 yr old BG macaw this weekend
she is such a sweetie...we also decided that my husband is more that happy to just interact with her and Parker through the cage...we have renamed her from teetoo to keiko... she is still warming up to me...she does fine when she is out of the cage but still will not step up to me in the cage yet...we have a vet appt tomorrow for her...