band G or gr.wing?

[Oscars Mom]

Could anyone discribe to me the suttle differances in temperment of a green wing macaw and the blue and gold. I know afcourse that each bird is an indivigual but generally. Thanks

[birdsnreps]

we just had a thread not too long ago with the exact same question, read through this thread, there are several great answers to your question:

GreenWinged Vs. Blue&Gold?

[hollmer]

I read all the comments in the other post and I wanted to touch on a point that I did not see in the others. Regardless of what breed of Macaw you choose, you need to keep in mind that they are like having a small child forever. I have two, a Miltary Macaw(13 years)(Which I found out afterward, grow up to be very tempermental) and a blue and gold(6 years) which I took from a friend who could no longer care for her the way she deserves. I do not know the blue and gold as well as the military( I hand fed him) but they both throw tantums when the mood strikes them. As they mature there personalities can changes and as they continue to age they may change again. Some Macaws are loving and cuddly there whole lives and others may need extra patience just like a child. As our Miltary reached maturity he was very difficult, we handled him only when he asked and we never forced anything because he could be quite mean. Now that he has passed the 10 year mark he is calming down again and wants more attention. We have found that things as simple as there location in the house can change there temperment. We try and take them outside as much as we can so they get as much natural daylight as possible. We have outdoor perches my husband built and they spend most of our summer outside. As far as which breed is better Blue and Golds seem to be the most popular, partly because of price and availablity. I would love to have either a greenwing or a scarlett and yet have been warned off both because of temperment(that would not stop me though) Go to breeders of both and ask to spend time no only with the babies but with adults if they have any that are not breeders and compare them yourself. The best way to decide what is best for you is to spend time with both breeds and remember babies personalities are different from adults and be sure you are willing to make the 50-90 year commitment no matter what. you would not get rid of a child for temperment problems so be sure you can handle whatever you get because each bird regardless of breed develops there own personality which can be shaped by there owners and home enviornment. Good luck with you adventure.

[wildirish]

We have 4 B&G's 1 GW and a Millie. The temeraments are similar but different LOL!

I think B&G's can be more family oriented than GW or Millies. Although it really depends on the bird, no matter which kind you get. Since ours came to us older nad usually either neglected or abused, they are different in that they all have serious ideas of who is ok and who is not. However even getting one as a baby doesn't guarentee that when they reach breeding age they won't have attitude.

I know most of the GW's I have met, including ours, are one person birds and can be very jealous!

[Irish]

IS there anything "subtle" about macaws? I don't think so! LOL!

My BG, Bob (male) is spooky, temperamental, FUN in the extreme, smart, and has a great vocabulary. As long as you don't try to make him do things he doesn't like (put on a harness or wrap him in a towel), he's sweet-tempered. Make him do something he hates, and you'll bleed, I promise. Startle or frighten him, and he'll scream like the world is coming to an end, and he has to warn EVERY macaw in both North AND South America, he's THAT loud!

My GW, Arthur (male) is a few months younger than Bob. They are best buds, and share a Kings 506 cage. Arthur is playful in the extreme, VERY vocal, extremely mechanical, destructive, and one of the smartest birds I've ever met. He can take anything apart, shimmy up any supposedly bird-proof ceiling protector, break any weld, and undo anything holding any other thing together, and he's undaunted if it's a challenge. He LIVES for challenges! Arthur can put the fear of God in you with his bluffs, but in reality is one of the gentlest birds here. He doesn't tend to scream, but he never shuts up, either--always talking, making monkey sounds, or otherwise vocalizing.

They are both extremely loving, and they are both fully flighted. Bob only flies if he's spooked, and Arthur will fly to get to me, or to something he wants to make toothpicks out of. He's also the one who will wrap his huge beak around my arm and try to take off flying with it! LOL! Silly birds--I love them both so much! Of the two, though, I'd say that Bob is the quieter and more sedate (but I have yet to meet a young macaw who is TRULY sedate!), and Arthur is the most destructive (and that's saying a lot, really--you should see some of the adventures they get up to, together!).

[SDavid]

"you would not get rid of a child for temperment problems."

I think some people might if the child stayed that way for 50-90 years! Who could deal with that?.....lol

Children grow up and eventually take care of themselves.

It's something that I think about...a macaw is with you for life.

[wdkerek]

That is my point as well. Nothing really "subtle" at all..............
our GW is aggresive, but is jealous of me with my bride................He loves her and makes it clear to me that if he where human, he would take me own for her affections.

When the bride holds him, he will let me pet him and even handle him on a good day.

the B & G love everyone here. She is a class clown of sorts while our GW and harlequin are a little more serious.