Macaw Tips

[Baby5566]

Macaw Tips

I've decided to write up some tips about Macaw's, I hope this helps prospective buyers and owners alike and I hope it's ok for me to write this!



*~::Macaw Law::~*

1. Macaw's can live to be 100 years old. You MUST be able to commit to your Macaw and you must have a backup plan if your Macaw out lives you.

2. Macaw's need space and company. You must be able to provide them a large cage and room to spread their wings and you must be around enough to play with them. Take them out of their cage, don't confine them to small spaces for long periods of time.

3. Macaw's can be very noisy, please make sure this is acceptable in your home and neighborhood.

4. Macaw's need a mature & responsible owner who will provide them with a lot of attention and a lot of toys. Without toys to chew on, your Macaw can develop behavioral problems or start chewing on himself or his cage.

5. An unmated Macaw will bond with it's owner, he will love his owner like no other, are you willing to have a bond like this?

6. Macaw's are NOT suitable pets for children while unsupervised! Macaw's have large sharp beaks that could hurt a child severely if unsupervised by a responsible adult. Macaw's need to be handled delicately, please remember to respect your bird.

7. Macaw's are extremely intelligent and curious, you must be willing to feed that curiosity with toys and love. Don't neglect your pet.

8. Macaw's do not make good first birds, please have experience handling Macaw's before splurging on one. As beautiful and intelligent as they may be, they need proper care.

9. Macaw's are considered endangered in the wild, as many as five species are now extinct in the wild, please think carefully about your decision to adopt a Macaw if you cannot provide the proper care and love they deserve.

10. Last but not least, Macaw's can become very sad if you do not talk to your bird. They will become destructive to themselves and their environment, they can suffer mentally and physically, LOVE YOUR PET!

[The Outlaw]

Liz:

I agree with most of what you write. I DO think, however, some macaws make great first birds. Its all about preparation and a good breeder. Rehomed macaws DO NOT make good first pets. Newly weaned macaws make lovely pets.

[RMSacha]

I agree with Outlaw--macaws can make great first birds. I also say that for another reason, sometimes people buy other birds to get experience, spending a lot of money, time, etc., then they finally get a macaw and realize that they are the greatest birds in the world... that is speaking from experience. If I had known how wonderful the bond was between a macaw and their companion human, how intelligent and responsive a macaw is, I would have never brought into my life my other two birds. Now, I have an Amazon and a Senegal but, Lucy (my macaw) is the apple of my eye. Nothing compares to a great macaw...

[Baby5566]

Obviously if you want one badly enough and you love them enough any bird will make a good 1st bird. I used to work at a shop and let me tell you, we had so many abused Macaw's coming in because people would splurge on them and then realize that they were too much work. I highly recommend reading up on them before someone purchases one, that's all.

[FeathersNFur8]

Rehomed macaws DO NOT make good first pets.

That's a shame.

[The Outlaw]

I agree. It is a shame. But novices will have enough problems just handling a young bird with no history. Its usually assumed that by the time a macaw needs to be rehomed, there have been problems. That history can put a first time big bird owner at a real disadvantage.

I usually recommend purchasing your first bird and considering adoption for other members as you learn more. Some folks, of course, are just naturals, but you never really know until the bird moves in. I always try to set people and pets up for success. Failure is tough on all of the parties involved.

[kiwimum]

I have to agree, My first bird is Kiwi, baby, from a breeder. AWESOME first bird. BUT there is no way I could have handled a macaw with a past, I wouldnt have understood it like I do kiwi, after another year or so I think I could be able to take on a bird with prior homes, but not now and not with kids.

[RMSacha]

Originally Posted by Baby5566

Obviously if you want one badly enough and you love them enough any bird will make a good 1st bird. I used to work at a shop and let me tell you, we had so many abused Macaw's coming in because people would splurge on them and then realize that they were too much work. I highly recommend reading up on them before someone purchases one, that's all.

Reading up on ANY animal before it enters a home is a given... I think your advice is true on all levels. I also have seen many abused macaws--its a shame!

[MiniMama]

Oh Liz.. you forgot the most important point:
1. Macaws are royalty, and must be spoiled accordingly.
Hehehe.... I say that after just spending $40 to redeck their cage with fancy toys that will last 5 days...

[flatfifth2003]

My B&G is my first bird and we get along very well once I got a routine worked out for everything. But looking back, even though I did take the time to learn how to handfeed before I took him home, and read many articles about abundance weaning, I would never bring home another bird that was not weaned.
P.S. here's pic of me and Clyde brewing beer together