Help Please!! Questions..

[oneswtplee]

Hi everyone,

I just joined this site today. I'm so glad I came across this site.
I've been looking online to see about some questions I had, I had no luck.

If anyone could please help answer my questions, I'd be so grateful!

I want to get either a Scarlet Macaw or a Keel-Billed Toucan EXCEPT, I dont know if they are legal to have as pets, in WASHINGTON STATE.

Does anyone know where I would find that sort of information?

Also if you have either as a pet, I would love to hear your experience with your pets!!

Thanks everyone!!

[Monica]

Scarlet macaws are legal. I would assume keel billed toucans are, too. You would have to get in touch with your local Fish & Wildlife services for laws on animals.

I don't own either, however please be aware that toucans require a fruit based diet, and they are susceptable to iron storage disease. Scarlet macaws are said to be the nippiest of the large macaws, they can be destructive and loud, and they require a diet that includes cooked eggs, nuts (preferrably no peanuts), cooked/sprouted legumes cooked/sprouted grains, veggies - cooked, fresh, frozen/thawed, fruits - fresh, frozen/thawed, sprouts, and maybe even a good quality seed and pellet blend (seperately).

[mmr]

I don't have a scarlet but I do have a blue and gold! What questions do you have? Do you have parrot experience?

[oneswtplee]

thank you both for your reponse.

to MMR: how has your experience with your parrot been? are b&g easy, moderate, hard to take care of? How do you deal with the noise level? Can they get to be pretty loud. My concern would be my neighbors, dont want any complaints b/c i live in an apartment. I've only had experiences with parakeets.

:) hope to hear frm you!

thanks

[PyscoFalcon]

As you live in an Apartment then that rules Tucans out. They need LOTS of space and there poo is huge and runny and smelly. They also need a specialised diet.
I'm going by my experiance on helping look after a yellow billed Toucan btw )

Toucans are best for avirys due to space etc they need unless you can dedicate a double sized bedroom for them and them alone.

[cherriesanglea]

i have heard teal on the phone and he is very loud!!!! (mmr's b&g macaw) living in a apt is going to be tricky if you want something like a macaw! but i will let mmr tell you more as she knows alot more about them!!! (i have been trying to figure out a way to steal teal from her since i have met her no luck yet!!!) lmao

[PMattix]

I can't imagine living in an apt with a macaw. I'm sure it's possible but even when they talk their so loud lol. They're gorgeous though and I'll have one one day but def not while I'm in this apt.

I'm having trouble enough considering getting another Zon

[loyallyroyal]

Macaws are a bit (well more than a bit) loud for an apartment. You may want to research birds with a lower noise level (keep in mind all birds can be very loud at times) You may want to take a look at Eclectuses if you are looking for a larger bird, you could also look at quieter conures like greencheeks.

Of course birds like Lineolated parakeets, lovebirds, and budgies have a reputation of being smaller and quieter.

Good Luck, it may help if you tell us what you want in a bird.

[cheyanneandmark]

Yes, I have a B&G Macaw named Armaggedon, and he is very loud...

[mmr]

Originally Posted by oneswtplee

to MMR: how has your experience with your parrot been?

Macaw are very,very good bite bluffers! Teal loves to do and try this. As long as you show them who is boss there won't be any problems down the road. He also loves to intimidate guests when they come over, and suceeds very well. They are soooo much messier also compared to a budgie!

Originally Posted by oneswtplee

are b&g easy, moderate, hard to take care of?

Imo I think any "large" parrot are a lot of work and Time. Comparing Teal to my U2...my U2 is more cuddley than Teal. So she seems to require much more attention. But then Macaws also require a lot of attention.

Originally Posted by oneswtplee

How do you deal with the noise level? Can they get to be pretty loud. ?

Noise level you just have to ignore it. If you repond to their screeming then you just cause to the screaming problem. Also if they don't get enough attention then they will scream also. Cherries was right in her post about how loud Teal is! I have been around birds my whole life and I can assure you that Teal is the loudest. I can hear him all the way outside with the house closed up! Macaws are deffinetly NOT an apt bird.

Teal is what I call the "HOUSE CLOWN". His personality is HUGE! he is full of spunk, loves to play around, and bluffs everything. He is more of a one person bird, as he prefers me over hubby! He is also very, very, very nosey and has to know, see and hear everything you are doing. So when he screams I have found a trick that when I whisper to him he stops screaming just to hear what you are saying!
Have you thought about a cockatiel?
Hope some of this helps.