Another macaw or an amazon?

[Brian C]

Hi all

As I have been asking in the expert forum we have been thinking of getting another female macaw, we have a 7 month old B&G female.
I finally had it more or less clear, I was down to choosing between a B&G or a GW and was allready talking to breeders, the idea is getting it by the end of this summer. But know my partner has serious doubts wether it should be another macaw or a BF female amazon, his a bit worried that maybe two big macaws would be a bit too much. I really like amazons too, so for me it wouldn´t be a bad idea, my concern are the parrots. This a huge step for us, getting another parrot, so to talk it over once more I would really apreciate your advice again. How well could a B&G and a BF get along, being both females? Could they just get along, or, if they get along, could they really enjoy eachothers company, play together, etc.? And my biggest concern: would the size difference be dangerous to the BF or is an amazon big enough to stand up to a B&G macaw? They would have seperate cages to sleep, but like our B&G lives now, they would not be caged during most of the day.

Maybe I should ask this in the amazon board as well. Any input would be much apreciated.

Thanks.

Brian.

[David S]

Zons are awesome fids... especially the females. As to whether or not the two will like each other, that's a crap shoot. You can put two BGs together and they hate each other. You can put a TAG and DYH together like Bluebird Hill has done and they love each other. It's really up to the birds.... so get the bird you want.

Good luck.

[The Outlaw]

It is unrealistic to expect a BF and a BG to interact. Its not safe nor are they anything alike. Amazons are known for being "perch potatos" whereas the macaws are the monkeys of the large bird world. They never keep still. I have 6 macaws: 4 BGs, 1 GW and 1 Severe. I also have a female YNA. My YNA wouldn't have anything to do with any of my macaws.

The other thing you need to consider is this: whereas macaws will generally go to anyone in the home, Amazons rarely do. They tend to pick one person and they will defend that relationship with great vigor. If you have delusions about everyone playing nicely and going to both you and your partner, its just not likely gonna happen that way. In the world of macaws, the BGs and GWs are considered to be among the more user friendly with everyone living in a household. I do admit to being partial to macaws but my Amazon is exceptional and a real joy. She's so easy to live with, requiring much fewer replacement toys and much less interaction. She is delighted when I come to her for skritches and smooches, but she doesn't require it like the macaws do to be happy.

And, if you do decide to get a zon, PLEASE be sure to get a DNA first. The males and females are entirely different. The males can be a real handful, sometimes going for months on end when no one can safely handle them. JMHO

[Brian C]

Thanks for your advice, once again. I posted this some weeks ago, when I was still having doubt, but we talked it over again and again, also considering your previous advice on this bord, and we finally decided that another macaw is really the right thing for us, and we believe for the birds too. So, we already have reserved another b&g and will be getting it in september or october (depends how soon it will wean). We really look forward to get a second b&g, we just hope that they will get along. Rauna is 8 months old now, so she will be about a year old when we get the other.
I will tell you more about how things develop.

Regards
Brian

[Xray Susie]

Brian,
Congratulations on your upcoming B&G. I notice you have a Severe.

I've been deciding on whether to get an Orange Wing Amazon, Red Lored Amazon, or a Severe.

To make a long short, I want a bird that, although, may have a favorite, will be friendly towards other family members, and friends. A fun bird, and one that can entertain himself while I'm at work. I do have parrot experience.

Lately I've been leaning toward the Severe.

Question: do you recommend a dome top or play top cage? Also, I'd accept any advice on making my decision. Thanks, and congratulations again.

Susie

[silvercb67]

Thats is wonderful. Congrats!

[Irish]

Susie, Severes do NOT make good family birds! They almost always choose one person, and woe be to anyone else who tries to handle the bird. Believe me when I say that those beaks can do some serious damage if the bird is determined to make its point.

We have a Severe. He loves my husband, and my husband only. I have friends with Severes. Without exception, their birds ALWAYS have a favorite, and they will not allow anyone else in the family to handle them. You might want to re-think what kind of a macaw you want to bring into your home. Yes, the big guys have bigger beaks--but they usually aren't so enthusiastically willing to use them on anyone but their favorite human.

[Xray Susie]

Originally Posted by Irish

Susie, Severes do NOT make good family birds! They almost always choose one person, and woe be to anyone else who tries to handle the bird. Believe me when I say that those beaks can do some serious damage if the bird is determined to make its point.

We have a Severe. He loves my husband, and my husband only. I have friends with Severes. Without exception, their birds ALWAYS have a favorite, and they will not allow anyone else in the family to handle them. You might want to re-think what kind of a macaw you want to bring into your home. Yes, the big guys have bigger beaks--but they usually aren't so enthusiastically willing to use them on anyone but their favorite human.

Thank you for the info. I guess I'm back to the drawing board. Orange wing or Red Lored Amazon, then? The reason I opted out was because of this: YouTube - Red Lored Amazon - mating dance

I posted it on another thread and asked how often this happens, but got no response. Is this a daily thing, do you (or anyone) know?

[loyallyroyal]

Have you considered looking at birds that arent normally one person birds? Vasas, Ekkies, Pionuses, Caiques, ect.

You may want to give some of those less flashy/less popular species a look:
Index of Parrot Species

[daydream]

I have 3 conures, a U2, a B&G macaw and a greenwing macaw. My umbrella cockatoo is hands down the friendliest, cuddliest bird i've ever met. I definitely think you should consider having one. My cockatoo never meets a stranger and keeps us laughing non stop.