Wanting a B&G..some questions

[kailoveao]

I am currently researching B&G macaws, and I'm not really planning on getting one in the near future unless the opportunity presents itself. Anyway, I have a few questions that may seem silly, but I have really been worrying about. I have visited with a few B&G at some pet stores, and I haven't really "clicked" with any of them. My breeder has some on eggs, but they usually go very fast and take deposits for them. Why should I put a deposit down on a bird I haven't met yet? I have read such conflicting info on the species, however, I realize each bird is different. I really want a B&G that is gentle, likes to snuggle, and doesn't scream excessively. I have already addressed the issue of the bird in my apartment, and that is pretty much the only option in a metro area. I think it will be okay, and I have heard from many people that macaws are only vocal for 2 periods of 10 min each day. The leasing office says it is okay, and my breeder says she knows of several people that keep them in apts saying "A happy bird is a quiet bird." Now I am reading about exessive screamers and that worries me. I am also worried that I will get a bird that doesn't like to be touched or lay on his back. I guess I just need to give myself a couple of years and meet several different birds and see which individual is right for me. I know a bird is often what one makes it, but the personality of the macaws I have come across have varied from monster biter to shy little girl. Do you have to train them to do all these things? I would like one that leans towards a sweet disposition that I can work with, but I'm not sure how to find it. I guess it is just difficult to wait! I am already excited at the possibility.

P.S. I know of the responsibility and difficulty of keeping B&Gs. They are a huge commitment, and I am willing to make it. I have had birds in the past, but the big birds do intimidate me...however, I think I'm up to the challenge.

[Birdsmile]

We own 3 -2 males and 1 female.
The female is more cuddly than the males. She is approx. 15 years old and we have had her since she was weened.
my males are both REAL LOUD they scream i think just to do it. 1 is cuddly the other one not at all. I dont think a B&G would be suitable for an apartment even though i know some one who had 6 Macaws in a apartment.

[macattack]

Ryan,
It seems from your post, you are not looking at this in the proper perspective.

You need to realize you can try for all that you mention, but never get any of it. a cudldly macaw? yes to an extant you might get one. but really if he wasn't will it matter?

A happy bird is a quiet bird? well i guess some birds can be, but what if yours isn't?

A bird that doesn't like to be touched. Hmmm. I have a B+G that way. We still have an awesome relationship. Who cares if he ever lays on his back. If i wanted to try teaching him this, t would be a trick he does for a treat. Or enjoys. But, what if he never "learns" it. On the other hand my grey is more trusting and has started to "lay" but only because he sees that i find it fun. I don't know if he'd ever do it on his own.

Getting a macaw for an apartment setting, is like buying a ferrari and living in NYC. Its possible to enjoy it but, rarely will you ever see it at its full potential. Same thing with a macaw. I'm sure its done all the time. But when i lived in a condo, i can't imagine having my mac... I now live on an acre. My neighbors still mention they hear my bird sometimes in the am... but my stance on this is BUMMER... LOL.. Can't be having that attitude in a condo.

When he does his happy scream, will you be running around and closing all the windows? trying to shut him up? or dancing and screaming with him? seeing who can get the loudest? I can and have heard my mac scream 3 acres away from my house.

What will you do when he decides to scream at 6 am? mine does on occasion? why? because he's happy... A happy scream is just as loud as a fear scream.

True, he can be quiet. But when he is for too long i assume he's not feeling well.

I get the biggest kick out of his happy screams. He has the not so happy screams too! like when someone he doesn't know drives by. OR rings the doorbell, or the garbage truck comes down the street. HE SCREAMS LOUD.... I love it... He also screams at people he doesn't like. I trust his instincts... and wait for the scream.. aha no scream, ok you passed the muster... you can hang...

If you can't embrace them naturally doing their own thing, it will become an issue. and you really can't or shouldn't try to minimize it, or change it. I would think that is where problems start.

At the breeders/pet store/etc.. you get what you get. You pay a deposit for good faith really. and because popular birds go fast. I've never heard of anyone voice a concern over this. You pay a deposit, there are always out clauses. But no one is going to refund you money because upon meeting you don't like him, yet. All babies are heart melting.

The descriptions you are giving - gentle, likes to snuggle, doesn't scream- happy bird is a quiet bird- bird likes to be touched- or lay on his back.... sounds like you are trying to get something you might never have. Unless its a dog. They do all the things you mention above.

To me in general your post is saying, this person isn't really understanding the reasons of having a bird like a macaw as a companion. And this isn't even going into the comment that a bird this size intimidates you...and can bite the crap out of you. i have multiple scars. One pretty serious one on my lip. I am the second owner though. and i do think that rasing from a baby is a bit different with regard to that relationship you create from weaning.

But what if he starts to bite you? Mine is hitting 6 years old. Luckily he still loves me. But what if he becomes a biter from your lack of proper bite training? I have horses, i find having a macaw is almost as dangerous at times...

I am not trying to talk you out of it. but i do want you to rethink the reasons as to why you want a macaw.

[kailoveao]

Hmm..wow. That is the first response I have gotten like that. I think you may have jumped to conclusions thinking that those are the only reasons I want a macaw. They aren't. They are just some lingering questions I had. I just don't want a bird that is going to bite my hand off every time I try to give him scritches. My kilo never bites me now, but I realize it can happen. Does anyone want a pet you have to fear every day? Does he scream at 6am even if he is covered up? From your post, I feel like it will be a long while before I make my purchase. I wonder if the stores/breeder were just trying to make a sell by telling me all the good points I mentioned. They all said that the b&gs they have are gentle and know their own strength unless very frightened or upset...maybe I will bring these issues up with my breeder and see what she says. Thank you for your replies.

[macattack]

It's an honest post based on what you wrote. I didn't jump to any conclusions. I wrote what i felt taken from your words. You did write, " I would like one that leans towards a sweet disposition that I can work with, but I'm not sure how to find it." don't we all want a bird like that? and strive for? But that doesn't stop the fact that you also wrote " i'm intimidated" by them, and that you live in a condo. So i addressed these HUGE points on what one should consider in this circumstance. They will on occasion bite. and HARD. can you control it? sure you can. As much as you can control any situation. I make a point not to get into situations anymore that might create a bite response. How am i doing? Well, i haven't been bitten in a few months... Ha...

The bird will scream for joy, and they will scream for attention or they can scream for no reason at all, Or you might get lucky and get one that doesn't ever scream... Can you control it? same thing. to a degree. you can alter the surroundings. Put in elements that depress the sound thru walls, etc... covering the bird can help. i guess. I am a morning person. I have roosters that crow, and a parrot that wants to wake up the world. Every day? no. but sometimes. Its 8 am and they are quiet as a mouse this morning.... Tomorrow? who knows. What i wouldn't do is try to stop a natural vocal expression. but you can mitigate the surroundings.

They all start out sweet. and cuddly. and cute. But then they grow up. and mature. and form a personality...And i do think 70% of it is in your training. It's the unknown other 30% you just might not be able to control...

Breeding for sweetness? I'm not sure how a bird breeder would do that. They wean and sell. and issues really don't start till maturity. Its not necessarily like a horse you keep, ride, train and breed. Many breeders leave the birds alone to be "breeders". maybe its that you look into finding a breeder that has well trained pet breeding stock... I'm sure there are some out there. The majority of them though are just breeding stock.

What i do know is that yes, you will receive all sorts of information, and a breeder/pet store just might tell you exactly what you want to hear. They are after all trying to close a deal. I, on the other hand, own a macaw for 4 years, and i'm not trying to sell you anything.

the issues you posted above are still "reasons" they are valid reasons to be addressed, and its great you are asking. The best part of these boards is that you can get honest feedback. I'm not trying to dissuade you. Just let you know you're asking for a really tall order. and you might not get it. Go into it with ZERO expectations. If you go into it with a shopping list of wants. What will happen when you don't get them?

MY mac is gentle. He is also a bird. He is reactive. That will never change. You can train him to behave under certain controled situations. But is it error proof? Of course not...I just wrote a post on my cuz who has a bird he fears everyday. So i know the situation. And he is a great parront. but you just never know. always a crap shoot. Any breeder that tells you THEIR birds are sweet and docile and yada, yada... is pretty much not giving you the whole story. like you said just the parts you want to hear.

with all that said... I got my macaw by accident. I DIDN'T know a dam thing about them. It was a boyfriends bird that when he moved out took the bird, then realized how hard and timely it was to care for one, (since i had done all the work), called me to come get him. Said the bird was dying... LOL... It wasn't dying, it was depressed and bored, and we've been together ever since... So you are way ahead of me on that score. I researched and learned as i go. Not before.

[Machelle]

macattack brings up some very good points. I totally disagree with "a happy bird is a quiet bird". I have a green wing macaw and she is very happy but when I get up in the morning and she sees me or hears me she screams very loud for me to let her out. All of my birds scream when someone knocks on the door (they join the dogs). My green wing screams when I leave the house. My amazon screams when I or my husband come home because he is excited to see us. Yes they can scream when they are not happy but with the way mine scream, they would drive others nuts and they are happy birds. I dont think macaws are good apartment birds. There are exceptions and the only way to know if you get a macaw that is not an excessive screamer is to get an older one and even then there are no guarantees. My green wing doesn't like to be on her back right now. That could change as she is only 10 months old but her brother LOVED it. Putting a deposit on a baby isn't necessarily a bad thing. You dont have to meet the perfect bird before hand. The great thing about putting a deposit on an egg is that you can visit and develop a relationship with the bird and bond before you even bring them home. That is just as wonderful as meeting a bird and instantly hitting it off with them. Also, babies do not know their own strength with their beaks. They will bite you very hard until you teach them its too hard. They play hard and dont know their own strength and it can take awhile. I'm having this issue with my green wing. Green wings are supposedly more cuddly than blue & golds...Raeka is a baby so she is not a cuddly right now. She is very rambunctious. My folks have a B&G that is about 3 years old. He CAN be cuddly, does not like it on his back, and can be very nippy and is still learning his strength. In general I have heard that B&G's aren't "cuddly". They are very rambunctious and like getting into trouble. This is certainly the case with my folks' b&g. The thing about macaws is that they are a handful. Raeka gets into more trouble than my other four all together. My mom says the exact same thing about their b&g who also screams when they get home. Its good that you are doing research but I also think you need to talk to other breeders. It sounds like you have talked to a few pet stores and only one breeder. Definitely asking questions here is a great idea too. There is just no way to guarantee what you are looking for.

[RingneckedPrincess]

You know...getting a new bird isn't like buying a car. You don't know what you are getting, especially with babies since they DO grow up.

Can't goin demanding the bird be cuddly...what ever macaw you DO get just love it for the bird it is!

Dani

[Irish]

I prefer to meet a bird before I take it home, that way you get an idea whether or not you "click", and depending on its age, something about its temperment. The only time I bought a bird sight-unseen was with Mikey, and that's because available Hy babies are few and far between. BGs are pretty commonly available, so you should be able to meet one before you purchase. Generally speaking, the females tend to be snugglier and somewhat quieter (for what it's worth--macaws aren't really quiet birds by any means! Even happy ones! My boys are currently swing happily from hoopballs and perches, and squawking their happy heads off! LOL!), so you might want to consider having the bird sexed before you decide whether to bring it home, if "snuggly" and "relatively quiet" are important to you.

You may also want to check how good the insulation between your apartment and your neigbors' is, and consider your relationship with your closest neighbors, 'cause if they start complaining about the noise your bird makes (and it WILL make noise that can be heard in other apartments), you'll either end up moving or rehoming the bird, more than likely.

Good luck :-).

[kailoveao]

Thank you for agreeing with me on that! With all animals I get, I want to feel that connection with them before I buy them. It's hard to explain, but kind of like a "we were meant to be together" feeling. I know that I am much happier to work with an animal if I feel this connection. Thanks for the advice about the females. I had no idea about the sex differences. I am moving at the end of the month, so I am definitely going to feel it out before making any drastic decisions. I emailed a few other breeders, but I am impatient waiting to hear back from them! I am not too happy with my current breeder. I keep emailing her questions and getting one word replies. I would like someone a bit more helpful.

I think the happy bird is a quiet bird was meant as excessive screaming all day...not as the in between screams that display current emotions.

[kailoveao]

I just wanted you guys to read this and see what you think.

Blue & Gold Macaws