When should one be ready to have a Macaw?

[Venom]

How much bird experience is needed to have a Macaw? I own a Conure and 2 Parakeets and have owned 4 other birds in the past. I know some people who have gotten Macaws as their first birds and they needed to be re-homed.

I understand having a large parrot is a huge responsibility, and I am willing to accept this as a challenge.
So I ask you how much bird experience is recommended to own a Macaw? And how many birds have you had before you got your Macaw/s?

 

[patterson]

hi well ive got a macaw its sort of my first large bird my advise is to read up on them and know what your getting in to. mine is great as i got him from just being weaned from breeder so hes tame and im teaching him lot stuff.

and u need get a very large cage bigger the better

as long as u have read up on all the info about them u should be grand

i hae a parraket aswell

and another macaw on the way vine my blue and gold is 21 weeks old.

 

[Venom]

DO Macaws bite a lot or are nippy? I really want a B&G i just find their beaks intimidating

 

[patterson]

all birds will nip at some stage of their lives. where are u located? if ur getting a young bird thats hand tame like mine was u be fine as they will bond very quick with u.

if u get a older bird just find out as much as u cn about its history and bck ground

 

[Venom]

Okay thanks when I get one I shall post pics Im in the Bay Area CA do you know any good breeders near me???

 

[patterson]

great well im in uk if u had been here my breeder has exceptional birds for sale lol

 

[Alwese]

My first macaw is Doogie, a Catalina hybrid. He was given to me by my family doctor who is also a good friend. I was really thrust into this macaw ownership thing and I knew positively NOTHING about owning or what to expect from a macaw. Doogie had been mistreated by the doctor's children and was a real handful in the beginning. He initially took to my wife and would not let me handle him at all. Gradually with me being his care-giver he switched and allowed me to pick him up and my wife then became on the outs. I considered Doogie a real challange and by the time I had had him 4 years I turned him into a sweet loving bird. Beaks are formitable and I certainly got bit my share in the beginning. A Blue & Gold is about the easiest going macaw species-wise and would likely make the best pet. I must say that every macaw is different and possesses a unique personality. This is part of the joy of learning about them. My B&G was also a rehome and is very timid. For this reason he gets along acceptably with my Scarlet Clifford. You likely want to start out with a young macaw, but don't overlook the possibility of taking on someone's unwanted bird. I am living testimony that they CAN change and be a wonderful lifelong pet. Are you ready to take on a macaw? Do you want a lifelong companion? If you have the time you can let him change your life and spend the rest of your days letting him show you what he really is capable of knowing. They are smarter than you would ever believe... Al

 

[wildheart]

I would say with all difficult and bigger species your key ingredients must be patience - endless patience.

You must also not fear or feel intimidated because that fear can grow and you will end up with a parrot that are cage bound.

Tom, our B&G that past away were a gentle soul but needed lots of attention to stay happy so you have to have a lot of time on your hands.

I would also say that you as a person must be settled. We lost Tom due to us moving from a house to a plot.

 

[mellykyitus]

macaws are chewers, get lots of wooden toys! and they can be noisy, make sure your neighbours dont mind! xxxx

 

[Venom]

macaws are chewers, get lots of wooden toys! and they can be noisy, make sure your neighbours dont mind! xxxx

The noise should not be an issue to my neighbors as the house next to me is owned by someone who does not live there.

 

[Venom]

I would say with all difficult and bigger species your key ingredients must be patience - endless patience.

You must also not fear or feel intimidated because that fear can grow and you will end up with a parrot that are cage bound.

Tom, our B&G that past away were a gentle soul but needed lots of attention to stay happy so you have to have a lot of time on your hands.

I would also say that you as a person must be settled. We lost Tom due to us moving from a house to a plot.

I am sorry for your loss.



I am just a bit scared by a macaws beak. If tamed and socialized, will a macaw still use his/her beak on other humans? if so will they apply enough power to break a finger or will they just do I regular bite?





DO you know any good books that talk about large parrots and the behavioral problems you may face while raising them?

 

[Venom]

My first macaw is Doogie, a Catalina hybrid. He was given to me by my family doctor who is also a good friend. I was really thrust into this macaw ownership thing and I knew positively NOTHING about owning or what to expect from a macaw. Doogie had been mistreated by the doctor's children and was a real handful in the beginning. He initially took to my wife and would not let me handle him at all. Gradually with me being his care-giver he switched and allowed me to pick him up and my wife then became on the outs. I considered Doogie a real challange and by the time I had had him 4 years I turned him into a sweet loving bird. Beaks are formitable and I certainly got bit my share in the beginning. A Blue & Gold is about the easiest going macaw species-wise and would likely make the best pet. I must say that every macaw is different and possesses a unique personality. This is part of the joy of learning about them. My B&G was also a rehome and is very timid. For this reason he gets along acceptably with my Scarlet Clifford. You likely want to start out with a young macaw, but don't overlook the possibility of taking on someone's unwanted bird. I am living testimony that they CAN change and be a wonderful lifelong pet. Are you ready to take on a macaw? Do you want a lifelong companion? If you have the time you can let him change your life and spend the rest of your days letting him show you what he really is capable of knowing. They are smarter than you would ever believe... Al

Ill get a baby B&G and and depending on how it goes, hopefully well
( fingers crossed ), I shall look for another one that needs to be re-homed. I don't think im ready to care of a macaw with behavioral problems yet...

 

[wildheart]

The noise should not be an issue to my neighbors as the house next to me is owned by someone who does not live there.

YET!

I am just a bit scared by a macaws beak. If tamed and socialized, will a macaw still use his/her beak on other humans? if so will they apply enough power to break a finger or will they just do I regular bite?

I remember ours as a real gentle soul but I suppose it is how he was brought up. I think they can get aggressive if you do not give them enough attention and when they guard their cages. Of course if somebody goes and teases and teases them then they will bite with force. Or when they are REALLY afraid and feel threatened. Our macaw was only handled by our household and nobody else, I think the friends and family were to scared or maybe we were to protective over him.

 

[patterson]

they are a very powerful bird but its def best getting a handraised baby then u cn raise them the way u want. then on dwn the line when u have enough info about them get one in need of a home

 

[mellykyitus]

theres a rescue centre in the next village that has lots of macaws, one of them was 17 weeks old when his owner couldn't cope and left him there, i wish i could adopt one but i've got my hands full with my menagerie. x

 

[patterson]

wheres this place melly u got a link? it in uk?

 

[mellykyitus]

its in south wales in a village called carway. Parrotcare

theres some really sad stories

 

[HRH Di]

As long as you know what you're getting into and prepare, a macaw can definitely be a first bird.

I would strongly suggest that you get over any fear you have regarding their beaks. Parrot beaks can definitely break a finger. And even the most well-socialized macaw could bite if startled or feels threatened. Parrot beaks deserve respect, but you can't let your bird know that you're afraid.

Good luck.

 

[greycloud]

Venom, I noticed you have started a new thread with a different username. Maybe have Admin combine your threads.

 

[Chaos_1.0]

I agree with HRH Di. You can get bit by any sized parrot, and they can draw blood. If I make my tiel mad, he bites right next to my finger and it hurts like nothing else. I have been bit by everything from a parakeet up to a macaw. I have scars on my hand from a cockatoo. I don't have a fear of any birds . You just have to realize what they can do and respect them.