Which macaw? Getting dizzy...

[kidsdogsbirds]

Hi all, I am someone who is already owned by birds but have been trying to choose a macaw with dh. I am asking for input but stating that of course...alllll birds are wonderful and each individual bird has it's own personality. One blue and gold may be a joy all the time, another more.uh..grouchy? I'm not saying which is best?, just trying to decide on one for us.

We were leaning toward a blue and gold. Then we saw lots of pics (and a few irl) of harlequin macaws and thought they were the bird for us! Soooo beautiful! Now, from reading this site, I guess they may not be? Then a few owners kept spouting about their wonderful military and severe. I plan to socialize the bird fully etc, do all the right things if I can. But I am hoping to choose a macaw that is more family friendly, perhaps not as prone to certain issues as others?

Any help?

[bgmacaw]

My input would be for a B&G or a Greenwing. With proper handling socialization and training a B&G is hard to beat as a member of the family. Most GWs I have met also seem to be very good family members. While each bird personality may have its own quirks, proper handling and training can make a world of difference.

[Irish]

Bob, my BG, is friendlier towards most family members than Arthur, my GW. I don't know which I'd recommend, really. Bob is loving, playful and fun, but also beaky, beaky, beaky! He doesn't warm up to strangers real fast--he has to get to know them, first. Arthur is the most loving bird on the planet, but he loves me and only me (well, maybe Deb, too--he seems to remember her as friend and handfeeder, and is still really affectionate with her). While he can be picked up when I'm not in the room, don't even try to move him off of or away from me--and that huge beak can do some major damage! He's also extremely smart, and can take apart almost anything in no time flat, and he's murder on his cage (chips the powder coat off all the time).

I love them both, but I honestly couldn't recommend one or the other species as a family bird. I think it's going to depend on an awful lot of things, really.

One macaw I wouldn't recommend as a family pet is a Severe. Every one I've ever known personally (including Z's Eddie), or read or heard about, has been a one-person only bird, and will seriously damage other people (including family members) who want to get all buddy-buddy with them.

I also have a Scarlet baby, but he's too young (about 10 weeks) to really have a clue how "family-friendly" he's likely to grow up to be.

Good luck in your choice, whatever it is! And don't forget the pix :-).

[Captain Jack]

I'm with Irish on this one. All of our birds sorta picked us...

Our Greenwing Seymour is 2 years old. He will pretty much go to anyone, but can get grouchy sometimes, especially if you are taking him away from his buddy Jack. Oh and when he isn't in his own environment he gets quite stressed and can get beaky.

Our Scarlet Jack is the sweetest little man on earth. Anyone can hold him. But if he is playing with his buddies, especially baby birds, he can get nasty and nip when playtime is over. I can cuddle him and kiss him anytime. But then again he has had kidney problems, so that could be why he isn't as nippy as the Scarlets have a reputation for.

So how did we choose our birds?

We didn't they chose us! Seymour would let both of us hold him and same with Jack...All the other birds scared me or bit the crap out of me!

[The Outlaw]

I would heartily recommend the BG. By far, they seem to work out best for first time macaw owners. I have a GW, 4 BGs and a Severe. I also agree with the reference to GWs being sweet, but they aren't as likely to be sweet to more than one or two people. And, when they are upset, all hell breaks loose.

I love my Severe. He's a pistol. However, they are NOT for novices. Their screech can peel paint and they are very high strung. You either get a great Severe or a classic PIA. I got lucky. Mine is a little doll.

[bekfreak]

I heard Red-Fronts are supposed to be really nice Macaws. I've got to meet a couple during my visits at Bird Paradise, and I am very impressed by these green machines so.

[candi4me]

our baby B&G is the most loving lil guy. he loves to be snuggled and get scratched. he makes this lil purring noise.
Candy

[MiniMama]

Hey now, where's the vote for the minis??? If the Hahn's isn't the best macaw out there, I'm shocked :-) These little packages are way too much fun.

[CrazyBirdLady]

MiniMama, I agree, what about a little macaw? Illigers perhaps? Lots of personality in a small macaw body.