Thinking About Getting a Macaw

[Williamsong]

I have recently been looking into getting a Greenwing Macaw, and I have read many care sheets and articles and from what I have heard they are a gentle giant when it comes to macaws, second biggest to only the hyacinth macaw as far as I know. So anyways I know the noise and ruckus that Greenwings can create (and all macaws for that matter) and I am fine with that as I own my own house so other people won't be a problem. I also have heard of and am completely ok with the mental and physical stimulation needs for macaws and will do my best to provide my possible new pet with everything that I can. So I guess my main question is I am gone for a lot of the day about from 7 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon, so I was wondering if I would be a good candidate for a Macaw. I know what your probably thinking "this guys crazy there's no way he could have a macaw with those work hours" but let me tell you this: I would be very invested in my macaws health and well being and he would probably be out of the cage from when I get home to when I would go to bed around 8-9 with me and socializing, playing, eating treats, learning tricks, cuddling, and of course screaming ! Haha, but in all seriousness I would spend any and all of my freetime with this bird. If you think I shouldn't get a macaw please let me know because if I won't give the bird a good life I don't want it to be with me because they deserve a healthy happy life. I am willing to spend 3000 dollars or so on the necessary supplies (not counting the bird) so I'm pretty sure that's enough money to get a large cage, food, perches, toys, a play stand, and anything else I might need. Please let me know what you think,
Thanks a Million, Gage

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi Gage, and welcome to the forums.

You'd be surprised to know just how many folks have full time jobs AND parrots, including Macaws. Yes, it's entirely possible to be owned by one of those gorgeous big birds with your schedule.

Spending quality time is a whole lot more important that quantity.

You've come to the right place to learn and inquire, no doubt about that one.

 

[Williamsong]

Anymore firsthand information that anyone can provide on keeping Greenwings or macaws in general such as treats they seem to like, things to look out for, and really just any information you can provide thanks !

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Hi , I leave at7:3o and am home by 3;30 and things are fine. With your Macaw put him on a realistic schedule that you can keep up with. Like he could be out when your getting ready . Then sit with you while watching the news in the morning . Mine eat on a stand dinner with us every night. I think their a great bird !!! They don't have to be expensive I know the initial cost is . But learn to make chop mix ,besides their pellets and seeds. Buy toys ,but learn to reload them with untreated pine . Cut up more with a drill and saw.My GW last year was kept in a basement . When I brought her home she wanted to eat me . But now a year later I cant keep her off me. Shes even letting my eleven year old pet her. But mine was off Craigslist . Harlow my Catalina I got just weaned and was super easy right off the bat . When you earn their trust and are patient . You cant beat these species. Nothing like the love of a bonded Macaw. So Im excited for you

 

[Williamsong]

Also does anybody know of any other species of macaw/large bird that are really cuddly and loving because I am looking more for a companion bird then anything else I don't care much about talking/trick ability just a nice companion that will love me and cuddle me from time to time.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Do you have any big bird experience, Gage? I'm not going to try to dissuade you against a GW, they are truly AWESOME birds and can be the biggest mushes on the planet if raised and socialized the right way.

Are there any places nearby that house bigger parrots? Rescues perhaps? You could go visit there, hang out with the birds and get the feel for them a little.

 

[Williamsong]

I don't have any big bird experience as far as owning but I have seen and interacted a little with the Greenwings at my local pet store and seen TRULY HOW LOUD they can actually be but even from just through the cage they are always very lovey dovey, is there any other species of macaw that is just as loving as the GW ?

 

[sonja]

I absolutely second Wendy's advice of volunteering at a rescue first! You will learn SO MUCH - way more than you can get by reading the internet.
Yes, GWs are known to be gentle giants - but that doesn't mean that they don't pack a really wicked bite now and then.
Also, it sounds like you have planned for the immediate scheduling needs of a bird, but please think long term, too. If you get a macaw, you will have him for the rest of your life. You must think about things like moving, having kids, changing jobs, etc, and make sure you are committed to working the bird into any future plans, for the rest of your life. Giving a bird up due to normal life circumstances is terribly unfair to the bird, and an all too common fate of parrots of all species.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I just adopted a Macaw . I work full time and have a long commute . The only Rescue here are for dogs and cats so Big Bird was in a small cage and It was so sad.
He gets up when I do in the morning. I drink my coffee and talk with him while he eats his morning Fruit. When I come home in the evening same thing he eats and chats with me . I have two dogs and Set up a cam just to see if they were ok when I was gone. He interacts with my Corgi and Jack while I am away so I guess the 3 of them are good for each other. Except the Macaw has the upper hand . He will tease them
It works for us. But Jersey is Right . Quality time. I wish I could spend more but, the way I look at it. He is in a lot better place now then were he was. To me they are so much like a child and you HAVE to give them quality attention when you are home. If you can't stand the thought of a small child around all the time then in my opinion . Its not a good idea.
I am still new here and no where near as educated as a lot of the others . There are some very very good people on this forum. I would not have made it this far without them My Fid is not as loud as he use to be.

 

[Williamsong]

I was also wondering really how much do Greenwings make loud screams because I know they can and will but how much a day do they actually scream like that, and also how do you guys deal with the screams when your in the house ?

 

[Williamsong]

Dou you just kind of get used to it over time or can you sort of train birds off of it ? Not that screaming will affect my decision on the bird at all but if there is anyway to train them out of screaming so much I will at least give it a try.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here is a link to one of my threads about big macs, messes...AND in one of the clips my Ripley decided to just 'sound off'. :54:
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/27542-macaw-chores-big-mess-makers.html

Yes, they will sound off occasionally. It depends how they feel. They may or may not have a reason to holler. Wait, I should say that we may not always KNOW the reason for their desire to suddenly 'let lose', I'm sure they have their reasons for it.

A well socialized, happy and healthy big mac doesn't scream incessantly, if that is of any help.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Great videos Jersey

 

[Allee]

Great videos, Wendy! You have a lovely accent.

Gage, if you still aren't convinced that you can't live without a mush Mac, you might consider a cockatoo.

 

[thekarens]

Zoe, our blue throat, sounds off when we get up, when she gets excited and when I come home from work. She is not as loud as a green wing, but she's at the back of the house and when I pull into the driveway I can hear her while still in the car. That will give you an idea.

She usually only let's out one or two yells at a time, but it can make your ears ring if you're too close.

PS.. If you want cuddly look for pics of Zoe under the macaw section. As much as I love it it can be exhausting. Even when I've had a horrendous day at work and just want to relax with a beer she needs her snuggle time. She's like a 2 year old with the emotional needs of a two year old and can cause all the chaos of a 2 year old.

 

[Birdman666]

First of all, none of my macaws are screamers. That really is a training issue. Most screamers were trained to scream. (If they scream, and they get their way, then you just trained them to scream... don't do that, they generally don't scream.)

Screaming protocols are already posted on this site.

I work an 8-5 job, and leave the house by no later than 7 am every morning. I have two macaws (plus two amazons and a CAG.) They do just fine while I'm gone. We established a daily routine, and we stick to it.

Nobody screams, nobody plucks, nobody bites. Everyone is happy and actually quite spoiled...

Macaws are the most toddler like birds of the bunch.

 

[Williamsong]

Anyone know how Catalina macaws are as far as friendliness and cuddlieness goes ?

 

[Birdman666]

They tend to be one of the easier macs...

It's primarily about socialization with all of these guys.

But the three beakiest species tend to be the Scarlets, Buffons and Militaries. (In that order)

And the five mushiest tend to be Hys, GW, BTM, RFM & B&G.

Unless the hybrid is a beaky bird on beaky bird cross, they tend to be less beaky than their pure bred cousins.

BUT the key is socialization, and handling. These are high attention needs birds - like I said - the most toddler like of the bunch.

Macaws that don't get handled don't stay tame.

Macaws that overbond with one person, tend to pair bond, and become difficult when other people attempt to handle them.

Macaws that are not given structured interaction, and discipline tend to act up...

Meet their attention needs they tend to be mushy, love everyone lap birds. Don't meet their needs, they tend to make their attention needs known...

 

[Christinenc2000]

Birdman posted these links for me when I first joined this forum. I can't tell you how many times I go back to this thread . Maybe it will help

Here are some other interesting threads that you might find useful:

START WITH THIS ONE! Because this is probably what you've just gotten yourself into:

Feathered buzz saws...

And some more light reading:

Amazed at Gracie the Rescue

Rita made huge progress

This is the way we like to have our tail preened

What a lap bird.

What's your bite pressure training technique?

How do you all play with your Macaws?

Roscoe is crazy

gaining my macaws trust

very aggressive macaw

And if that isn't information overload enough, here's a good one on parrot diets:

Converting Parrots to a Healthier Diet - Tips

You are now up to speed. Need anything just ask. Someone will be along to help out.

 

[Soaring]

I can agree with agree thekarens on how BTMs can be demanding on their snuggle time!
While I've only been with Emit almost a week now, he's now started flying from his cage to me and will land either on my lap or forearm and demand I snuggle with him! At least until he's got his fix and will fly away to play or eat lol.