Scarlet Macaw anyone?

[Gabriel]

I came across a very sweet and cuddily scarlet macaw in my local bird shop.

And this piqued my interest.

can those who have experiences keeping them share their knowledge and experience.

would love to learn more about them.

Thanks!

[The Outlaw]

The scarlet macaw is one of the most beautiful of the big macaws. They are probably the smartest as well. With that, unfortunately, can come some really bad habits if not properly socialized. They are notorious for baiting people to come closer and then biting them. I am pretty good at handling most of the bigger birds, but I've had very limited success handling anything other than very young scarlets. I'm not afraid of them for I do have a mirror and realize that I have a distinct advantage. However, I've never managed to happily handle them for any length of time.

I think that you have to be very special to live with a scarlet. They generally are devoted to only one person. If you are that person, Whooppeee! However, if you're not, don't hold your breath.

If you're interested in a gentler red macaw, how about checking out the Greenwing. They are gorgeous, big and generally very sweet natured. Along with the Blue and Golds and Hys, they are probably more user friendly.

[Winged_Victory]

Scarlets are beautiful birds!

We have 3 and each is very different. Our older male 11 years, can be to sweetest bird going and give you love and kisses but later in the day can give you a good nip. Our female about 4 years old talks up a storm and loves to lay on her back, good bird. Our 4 year old male ( we think a male) is very loving but does not say anything but "step up". All three birds get along together and can be on the same stand with each other.

I would not recommend a scarlet for a first time macaw unless you have patience and understanding.

Gary

[birdyland]

I love mine, and I think Scarlets are amongst the most beautiful creatures in the world. However, I was a very experienced bird owner BEFORE I got Tiki, when I was 16. I read absolutely everything I could get my hands on, and I think I did a fairly good job raising her. She is now 9, and sweet as pie. That being said, she's extremely protective of me and can be very jealous. I can do ANYTHING with that bird. My husband on the other hand, if she sees him touch me and decides that it is not allowed today, she turns into a devil bird and the only way he can handle her without getting nailed, is to promise her "Lala upup" meaning he will take her to me. Other days he can handle her just as well as I can.

The point of this story: As with most birds, if you do it right they can be sweet as pie if raised with their sterotypical shortcomings in mind and not giving in to them. BUT there can still be someone, someone they love, that they can be really mean to if they so choose. It's MORE likely to happen with a scarlet.

My next point: Tiki is the only pet scarlet I have ever met in person that can be handled by more than one person, if at all.

If you research and research realizing that sterotypes are rooted in fact and can easily pop up if you are not careful, or even if you are... and you still want one and can properly care for one. Go for it. I hope you are as happy with one as I am.... but I do not recommend this bird as a first large bird.

[birdyland]

I'm sorry... I launched into the lecture before I answered your question.

Scarlets tend to be vain, in a good way. They tend to groom themselves well, and love to be bathed. They tend to always have a "I'm pretty and I know it!" look to them. If not paid the proper attention, this can easily turn into a bad thing, IE self mutilation and feather destruction.

They are extremely loyal. They also tend to be one person birds. They need to be very well socialized. In Public. Even then they may just like to be looked at and not touched, especially by strangers.

They are VERY smart. They are usually not INCREADIBLE talkers, but most I have met do fairly well. Personally, my Tiki has a fairly large vocabulary. They love to be spoken to and they love to interact (ie, cough or yell or talk or growl when you do). They understand english very well if you are consistant in your efforts to speak to them.

They smell SOOOO goood. Scarlets have a very distinct smell. I love it.

They are heavy and must be provided adaquate various perching materials to help them avoid "sitting on their heals".

Good eaters. Avoid too much seed and keep their fresh diet well balanced. The pay for said fresh and well balanced diet is a calmer scarlet with beautiful plumage. To me they always look dull and ratty on a pellet/seed diet. Some seed is recommended, but pellets, I don't personally recommend them.

They can fly well on a slight clip. Often they have to have a fairly severe clip to not be able to fly. This of course, will only matter to you if you clip your birds. If you free flight, they have a large wingspan that can get them into trouble in an average home, and therefore need a large flight area to roam.

Because of said wing span, they need a huge cage. The bigger, the happier the bird.

Wood. Lots of it. Start learning how to make your own toys and where to find the proper, untreated wood in your area. Or open up your tab at the bird store. Scarlets, like most macaws can go through massive amounts of soft wood toys and don't particularly care for the indestructables or hard wood toys.

[Gabriel]

thanks guys for all the sharing!

as much as I love that particular baby scarlet...its unlikely I can add to the flock...4 birds although cared by both me and my sis are already quite a handful...especially if we wish to give each of them quality interactive time.

Perhaps in the future when I'm no longer a college student,...working...and rich!