Severe and/or Hahns

[Johelian]

Heya,
Im spending the time between now and next years breeding season reading up on parrots, and up unil now have been more interested in the Hahn's macaw. Now however, another bird is starting to turn my head - and thats the Severe (Chestnut fronted) macaw. Since the accommodation I will be moving into isnt large enough or noise-friendly enough for one of the truly large macaws, these minis are of great interest to me (I know that sounds like Im being stingy...thats not my intention. I just dont think that a blue and gold will be a good purchase for apartment living. On the other hand, slightly lower volume [even if its more persistant] and reduced wingspan will be tolerable).

So, Im just really keen to hear first hand accounts of the Severe and/or the Hahns. How do the personalities of the two compare? Also, how does the volume of the two compare? :) Finally, what are the price differences between the two on average? I have never seen a Severe for sale, though to be honest I have not really been keeping an eye out. Anything else you could mention I would love to hear.

Thanks!

[The Outlaw]

I have one Severe and 4 BG macaws and I can tell you first hand that the Severe is more noisy and more irritating as far as sound goes. That is the ONE thing that keeps them from being more popular, for they are pretty, smart and very entertaining birds. Their voice will peel paint, however, should you find yourself with a noisy one. I am blessed. My Chi Chi is well-behaved and when he does decide to act up, I need only show him the squirt bottle and he stops.

That having been said, I have the ONLY Severe that I've met that is truly well-behaved all of the time. I really like them the best of the mini macaws, however, for they are less conure like then their other smaller cousins.

As for the Hahns, I'm no fan. I have boarded 2 and was offered one. I declined the offer. Way too nippy though not as loud, noisy nonetheless. Perhaps I have met the exceptions to the rule, but aside from being cute little birds, they just didn't do it for me.

As I've acquired birds along the way, I learned a valuable lesson: the larger the bird, the more user friendly they normally are. Smaller birds are more likely to nip and tend to be, as a rule, a bit less cuddly. I am speaking in particular about the macaws. The Hys and Greenwings are among the largest of the macaws and have the reputations of being among the gentlest and quiet. Not as far as loudness, but as far as just making noise in general. They can rattle glass on occasion, but tend not to as a rule.

If space is a consideration and cost as well, I would more likely recommend the Severe or Yellow Collar (very similar, a bit less screechy) to the Hahns. I admit to being biased. I base these recommendations on my actual experience and others will no doubt disagree.

[MiniMacMum]

From my experience having both a Hahns & 5 Severes, LOL, they are not apartment birds. Now, mine are not screamers, but when they do let loose, it's LOUD. I would love to own an Illigers some day. My hubby says NO MORE birds. I am also biased, I love their attitude, mine, as they got older, don't like too many strangers, but they love me & I them. Very cuddley & playful, but they can be moody. I don't mind their mood swings at all, but that's me. I can say if you live in an apartment, your neighbors will definately hear that you have a parrot when they decide to let loose their great & mighty call.

[captlen]

I have a Hahn's female 1 1/4 years old. She is a dream bird and unlike some of the other remarks about Hahn's she is very quiet. Most of her vocalizing sounds more like she is practicing words. She is still young and maybe this will change. (I hope not).

She has personallity about five times her size and is a real clown. She was easily trained and well behaved. She has bonded very strongly with me and I try to socialize her with other people whenever I get the chance.

She tends to be a little nippy with strangers at first but that does not last long.

I highly reccommend the Hahn's and I can see how it would be easy to spoil now and pay the price later with these littles cuties. I was warned of this when I got Alf and have made a point not to do so.

Right now it seems that she is in vocabulary learning mode. The latest being "good morning" well almost getting closer every day.

I have not had a severe so I do not have a comparison. Good luck with your decission making.

[Johelian]

heya,
thanks all for your posts :) Since Im looking to rent, sound is a big problem (strangely, finding bird tolerant landlords isnt), so we're now looking at end-of-terrace houses and similar buildings with as few adjoining walls as possible.

I still am struggling to make a decision, so what I will probably do is go visit a breeder that deals in both the Hahns and Severe and see what they are like (thankfully I have found one thats not too far away!). That way I can hopefully see what they are both like, although they probably wont be as affectionate as a pet bird....argh! The decisions!

[Winged_Victory]

Originally Posted by MiniMacMum

From my experience having both a Hahns & 5 Severes, LOL, they are not apartment birds. Now, mine are not screamers, but when they do let loose, it's LOUD. I would love to own an Illigers some day. My hubby says NO MORE birds. I am also biased, I love their attitude, mine, as they got older, don't like too many strangers, but they love me & I them. Very cuddley & playful, but they can be moody. I don't mind their mood swings at all, but that's me. I can say if you live in an apartment, your neighbors will definately hear that you have a parrot when they decide to let loose their great & mighty call.

You would love both the Illigers and the Noble macaws, they are outstanding birds!

Gary

[MiniMacMum]

Gary,
I know I would love the Illigers. I haven't seen any around my area at all. Not even at any of the bird fairs. My area isn't really a bird area I guess. I was really sorry to hear about Jet.

[Winged_Victory]

Originally Posted by MiniMacMum

Gary,
I know I would love the Illigers. I haven't seen any around my area at all. Not even at any of the bird fairs. My area isn't really a bird area I guess. I was really sorry to hear about Jet.

Thank you so much!!!

[Miro The Macaw]

I am terribly biased- and can't comm[IMG]ent on Hahns or YC's, as I have never been around them for very long, but I can tell you that Severes are a LOT of fun, at least mine is. He can be LOUD, though- When he wants- That is for sure. But, he is VERY playful, and quite well behaved... He IS still young, but with luck that will stay the same.

He has recently figured out how to escape his cage, though- Crafty little bugger...

Besides, Who can resist THIS-






-Andrew