Any other severe macaws here?

[Tishrei]

Just curious if there are others here that have a severe macaw. I know that all birds are a bit different so I would like to compare Ducky with another severe macaw as to temperment, personality, etc.

Dang if I'm not hung up on my silly little guy.

[Beaks]

yes i have one of those devil birds. LOL

No i wouldnt get another unless it was a rescue and then i would adopt it out.

Other mini macaws arent too bad but i have never met a severe that wasnt mean as hell.

[Tishrei]

Originally Posted by Beaks

yes i have one of those devil birds. LOL

No i wouldnt get another unless it was a rescue and then i would adopt it out.

Other mini macaws arent too bad but i have never met a severe that wasnt mean as hell.

I had to laugh -- that was funny.

The reason I'm asking is I'm getting a bit concerned over my bird. He used to be one NEUROTIC BIRD -- loud, crazy, attacked people, screamed, etc. I'm his fourth home. Anyway, I got him when he was 16 years old and have had him for almost 5 years. He is now a very quiet bird, doesn't scream, doesn't attack people -- he used to chase after people in order to bite them but not he doesn't do that anymore. He will bite someone if they reach for him so I don't let people do that but at least he doesn't chase them down anymore.

How long have you had yours? Was he a baby when you got him? How old is he (or she)?

Can I pick your brain on your experience? I actually am concerned that there may be something wrong with my bird because he is one mellow little guy. He's acts like he's on some kind of "mellow me out medication" -- perhaps it's age since he's about 21 years old.

[Deb76]

We have a 9 year old female severe macaw named Pepper. We've had her now for about 4 years. She can be VERY loud at times. She prefers men and pretty much hates all women. She tolerates me but if I get too close she lunges badly. She can be downright dangerous to strangers though. Overall she is a great bird though and we love her dearly.

[Abyssinian1]

We have three (or, as of tomorrow afternoon, we will have three - Bob and Ira are finally coming home this weekend thanks to a timely stackable cage delivery) Severe Macaws and we are something of an anomaly in that we are a one species home and are not breeders.

The majority of my writings regarding our bird are in the "Get Help With Your Bird" forum under the Macaw section. Which should tell you something about the popular perception of Severe Macaws and their nature. And something of the reality of owning one that is deeply bonded to one's spouse.

I honestly do not have any idea of what life is like with another kind of parrot. Corina is bonded to my husband and I sort of married into the family. To go from never having owned any kind of bird to learing to cope with a very jealous and aggressive female Severe was a little traumatic. And just to show how much I have learned to like the abuse, like a good little masochist I and David are adopting two males that are slightly younger than Corina (12 years compared to 15 years). My impression of Severes is that they can be extremely nippy and somewhat tempermental with those that they don't know or aren't attached to. They are also highly intelligent, very high energy and very exciteable. I give mine all of the credit card offers I get in the mail. They are lovely creatures, and both of the boys seem to like me, which means that Dave is going to work with them to keep them from becoming too bonded to either of us. If they do like you, you're in for a treat. Dave can do pretty much anything with Corina, short of juggling her and she will simply sit there and let him hold her upside down, hold her like a popsicle while she preens, hold her on her back and other things. Of course, I know better than to try this with a parrot I have not raised from a bappy, so Ira and Bob will be handled a bit more gingerly until we all learn to trust one another.

Still I like them - they are more of a challenge and Corina has taught me a great deal about what it simply means to live with a wild animal. I get the feeling sometimes that despite the fact that we own the house and pay the bills, we are on their turf and will have to meet them on their terms, not ours. Speaking of which, I need to go change perch papers.

[Tishrei]

That's a lot of information -- and THANK YOU for taking the time to write it out for me. Ducky is my only bird and the only bird I have experience with. He didn't come to live with me until he was 16 years old and when I got him, he had a lot of issues but fortunately for me, he took to me so I have not had to deal with a lot of things I am reading about.

To be honest, Ducky is a real cuddle bug. And yeah, I've been bitten but it's been a real long time since he's nailed me. When he did bite me, I would cup his face with both hands and bring his face close to mine and say "NO BITE" in a firm voice. Anyway, long story short, he really is a mellow little guy and I completely adore him. I'm almost embarassed at how much I adore this little guy.