Thinking of getting a Macaw

[Abigal7]

Heyyy lets not forget about the amazing blue and gold LOL
Cuddly, sweet, cheeky, playful, and incredibly intelligent, not that i'm biased haha

Fargo is great no denying that. I had macaw owners on bird forums say if I ever get a large Macaw buy a baby blue and gold macaw. However, never had experience with such a large bird and since I have a conure and a dog such a large bird might hurt them. (Though I would worry more for the conure). I put myself on a waiting list for a baby hahns macaw.

 

[ParkersMom]

would you recommend a baby or an adult...I have a breeder that I got my Amazon from and He is very nice and has been extremely helpful with Parker...But one my main concerns is the life span ...I don't have anyone to leave the birds to. if something were to happen...also My husband is extremely apprehensive even around Parker and we have had him since he was 3 months old...so getting an older bird would be fine with me but I'm not sure how my husband would do with the issues that might come with a rescue...

 

[MaraWentz]

Babies are easier to bond to generally and you can train them to your liking, but an adult is pretty much what you see is what you get. The only problem, like any animal, is that they may act a bit different due to an environment change, but their personality is pretty much set.

 

[Doves1]

I would recommend a baby just because your husband is apprehensive around them. With a rescue training issues are sure to be there, and if he's nervous about being bit by a baby then he's going to be petrified with a rescue

 

[ParkersMom]

how are they with dogs and cats... my zon is fine with them and they don't care much about him either...also male or female...is there much difference in attitude..hormones ect..i think I might go with a baby...and what about the different kinds of macaws... pros and cons

 

[Chaz12]

Ya, a guy offered to sale me a Blue and Gold Macaw for $900... That isn't a bad price but I know they are loud at times. My Yellow Shouldered Amazon isn't good with loud birds. Becomes aggressive. My YSA also is my number one bird and to bring another bird into her space, well she might feel neglected. So I will keep on loving my YSA and leave the B&G macaw to others..They both live to be 60 to 100 years old.

 

[JerseyWendy]

how are they with dogs and cats... my zon is fine with them and they don't care much about him either...also male or female...is there much difference in attitude..hormones ect..i think I might go with a baby...and what about the different kinds of macaws... pros and cons

I have 2 fairly large dogs, and they don't bother my birds. My birds, however, would NOT hesitate to take a chunk out of them if they every had the opportunity, ESPECIALLY the Big Macs.

Both of my Macs are males. Males are "usually" a bit bigger, but they can also become QUITE hormonal once mature...just ask Mikey. Mine are still too young to go through the hormonal thingy.

Oh, and there IS such a thing as the terrible twos with Big Macs...at least there was/is with Niko, my B&G. He turned 3 in October, but I guess I should remind him more often of that. :54:

 

[MaraWentz]

Mine have all been great with dogs excludingm first RFM. he was a one person bird and would attack anything that came too close to me (including our dogs). My B&G ignored them- even when they climbed inside his huge cage to eat his food off the bottom (a pit/bulldog mix, bulldog/mastiff mix, and a chihuahua/rat terrier mix). My second/current RFM would ride their backs and give/get kisses form them.

All macaws have a bit of sass to them- but don't take that in a bad way. I guess I mean smart alecky attitudes/humour. I havent found a difference in sex. Erin (female) is sweet and funny all around, Elvis (male) was aggressive to every one, but melted in my arms like a big baby, and Oscar (male) was very independent and kept completely to himself.



And I've made my choice on different macaws to be quite clear already, but I will boast again : Red front macaws are the BEST!

 

[Jlong1989]

I have 3 dogs and my macaws are fine with them. Also off topic alittle. My birds walk on my cat lol

 

[Doves1]

I have 2 dogs, one small and one large. The dogs want to play with my scarlet but my scarlet just chases them across the house. There's been no fighting or anything though

 

[JerseyWendy]

I must admit I'm a bit shocked to see folks actually let their birds "interact" with their dogs and/or cats.

No, I'm not pointing ANY fingers whatsover, you can all do as you please...but I would never in a million years take that risk. Not because I don't trust my animals, but because I am trying to avoid an accident. And accidents CAN happen if such interactions are allowed.

Just an example: Fido and Macaw grew up together and NEVER ever had any problems with each other. Heck, they even got along perfectly. Then one day, when Macaw was walking around, Fido ACCIDENTALLY stepped on Macaw's tail. Macaw was startled and bit Fido's nose. Fido, now hurt, snapped back at Macaw.

Like I said, this is just ONE example of what "could" possibly go wrong. I guess I'm the ever pessimist.

 

[plax]

I agree with you, Wendy! No matter how near someone may be to a pet bird who's interacting with a large dog within its personal space, an attack from the dog that's prompted by an accident like the one you've described can occur with such lightning speed that a successful intervention before it's too late might be impossible .

 

[MaraWentz]

I do agree with every one. Letting a parrot or any mall animal and a larger or stronger animal interact is a risk, bit a risk you can choose. Just as some of us would put a parrotlet and B&G together for safety reasons, many wouldn't put a hamster and cat, or parrot and dog. Animals can attack for the slightest of reasons, even not meaning to hurt. Please be safe, to each their own. For some it has worked out for others it hasn't,and for many the risk will never be given.

 

[Doves1]

I do see where you all are coming from in not wanting your parrot and dog to interact with each other but it's a risk worth taking.

It's the same in owning 2 dogs of different sizes. If you own a small dog and a big dog it's the same risk, the small one could get bit or hurt by the big one.

Owning a dog and cat has the same possibilities but you wouldn't not let them interact with each other would you? You wouldn't keep your bigger dog locked away from your smaller dog would you?

It's defiantly a risk to take with any pet!

 

[plax]

Doves1:

No, it's not quite the same. Birds are far more fragile than small dogs or cats. The bones of birds are lighter and more easily broken than the latter. The respiratory systems of birds are entirely different from, and far more sensitive than that of the mammals you've mentioned. Birds can go into respiratory crisis from only a small amount of trauma.

In my opinion it's not necessary that our birds have close interaction with our companion mammals; it's more of a thing we do for our personal enjoyment. So I see it as an unnecessary risk that's not even close to worth the potential consequences. All it takes is one snap from a large dog and a pet bird may be gone forever.

I mean you no disrespect, but I'm quite passionate about this issue.

 

[HappyHummingbird]

Doves1:

No, it's not quite the same. Birds are far more fragile than small dogs or cats. The bones of birds are lighter and more easily broken than the latter. The respiratory systems of birds are entirely different from, and far more sensitive than that of the mammals you've mentioned. Birds can go into respiratory crisis from only a small amount of trauma.

In my opinion it's not necessary that our birds have close interaction with our companion mammals; it's more of a thing we do for our personal enjoyment. So I see it as an unnecessary risk that's not even close to worth the potential consequences. All it takes is one snap from a large dog and a pet bird may be gone forever.

I mean you no disrespect, but I'm quite passionate about this issue.

I agree with you completely.

 

[WharfRat]

Gonna agree on the dog thing, even though I once had a large dog (80lb. GSD) coexist wonderfully with a tiel. My last dog would have killed any other animal in the house, no doubt whatsoever. I know for a fact I'll get another dog (GSD only) and it will be a puppy, not exactly sure how I'll handle it until that time. As the point has been made, it only takes a split second for it to be too late if things go wrong!!

Oh............Macaws ROCK!!!!!

 

[Doves1]

I understand that birds are far more fragile then mammals. I've had absolutly no issue with my big and small dog existing with my macaw though, my dogs have been raised not to harm birds as I also breed doves (one snap and the dove could be swallowed whole by my Akita) so I have complete faith in them.

On that note be sure you completely trust your dog to be docile around your birds. It's not worth the risk if you have any doubts what so ever!

 

[plax]

I understand that birds are far more fragile then mammals. I've had absolutly no issue with my big and small dog existing with my macaw though, my dogs have been raised not to harm birds as I also breed doves (one snap and the dove could be swallowed whole by my Akita) so I have complete faith in them.

On that note be sure you completely trust your dog to be docile around your birds. It's not worth the risk if you have any doubts what so ever!

Some people with complete faith in their dogs have experienced the devastating loss of their birds from either an unexpected mood swing of the dog, or an accident in which the bird became frightened and reacted causing the dog to react aggressively in a split second. These individuals didn't believe such a thing would ever happen. But these events CAN happen... and, sadly, any amount of faith won't change that fact. It's just something we're not able to predict, and certainly not able to control. I owe my birds as much safety as possible, and that's what I try to provide to them!

 

[Brodie]

I will have my birds on their cage with my dog in the room if i have to, but he knows not to move anywhere near them. I would not let them have any closer interaction even though I completely trust my dog.
I don't see how you think possibly loosing your macaw is "worth the risk".
I would rather have them in completely different rooms at all times then risk having a death or injury on either side. It is not worth the risk, at all.
I own many different animals, a kitten, APBT, snakes, lizards, a scorpion, birds, and even ducks. My dog has grown up with them all. We got him after we already had birds and reptiles. And even I can see how all these animals were never made to coexist. The dog still has quite alot of interest in the lizards and the ducklings, which is why I have kept them away.
I once had scarlet get spooked by something and fly to the other side of the room, my dog just laid there and didn't even bother to move. But this doesn't mean anything. One day he could. Which is why I keep an extremely close eye on things an only have them near each when absolutely necessary.

You can have animals coexist n a house, but you can't have them coexist together, interacting with one another. They still have their instincts and they can snap at any time. Do not make the same mistake others have.
Everyone on here has very good advice, you should take the previous comments into account before considering it. Please.