What should "your" home be like for a Macaw?

[SDavid]

You hear and read everywhere what a particular bird species needs as far as minimum cage size, diet, toys,...etc. But I'm curious about the type of home that the owner of a Macaw should have. I mean with regards to space, personal work schedule, noise or activity level, climate in your area, backyard or property size, or any other characteristic of a persons household that would affect a bird of this particular size and needs.

I live in New York (Long Island) and I can't at all imagine a Macaw living in someone's apartment. The necessary cage size alone would be about half the size of most New York apartments. I have a house and I'm still not sure that it's big enough. Hope this doesn't sound like a silly post but I don't know anyone who owns a Macaw personally so I have no examples of anyone sucessfully integrating such a large bird into their lives.

I have a Timneh and she's pretty easy to please and care for. Her proper cage size is small enough to clean quickly (she's not a big mess maker) and her play gym is also relatively small. Aside from that, she's content to sit on my shoulder peacefully. As long as i'm not in the same room she's also quite content to be in her cage.

I guess I'd like to know, from the Macaw owners, what your home is like and what do you think makes it beneficial for your Macaw or what would you change if you could. And, do you think your bird(s) is as happy as it could be anywhere else. I'm trying to evaluate my own home so any input is greatly appreciated.

[dani_L]

Firstly I think, you would have to live in an area where the earsplitting screaming would not be too problematic! I have a 7mth old B&G macaw, and he loves to shriek and yell, and it's generally for no reason except that he's excited. Your family members would also have to be willing to be tolerant of this, I guess. Secondly, they're large birds, and they need big cages which would accomodate their wingspan, and allow for movement and play without restriction if they are to be in their cages for long time spans. If they have to spend time out of their cage, the home needs to be totally big-parrot- proofed, 'cuz those beaks can dig holes into kitchen counters, shoes, cupboards, you name it. If you're getting a young macaw, age is a consideration too, since they have long lifespans, but I know you must have already thought of this with your TAG. My macaw spends most of his day in his cage wheeled out onto my back porch, where he can feel like he is in the 'middle' of everything. Both him and my Amazon love to feel like part of the family and part of everyday activities, and generally are raucous and extremely playful. I do think Ammy my B&G is happy, because he came from really bad circumstances and has flourished at my home, is learning (loud) new words, and is learning to trust and to relax. I can certainly see a macaw in an apartment being a little problematic though.

[RMSacha]

We have Kings 506 cages for our macaw... the average day is getting up, spending about an hour with her and then I go to work... when I get home, I go into her room, and say hello, give her a kiss and then I make dinner, etc. Currently we have a Ruby macaw and a Hy is on the way, she'll be home in a couple of months... in the evening, I let her out and she hangs out with us.

Weekends, well that's when we get to spend quality time and I make up for being at work during the week... I make them "birdie huevos" (scambled eggs with red palm oil, broccoli, cheese, and whatever else I can muster up and then it's bath day... anything I feel safe with them participating in is always encouraged... We also have a 9 year old BFA, two dogs, and like I said, a Hy on the way...

Personally, I stand in awe of my macs everyday—they have taught me so much and I would not want to have a life without them... they are truly a cut above the rest!

I hope this helps!

[Bonesy]

I have a one bedroom flat and I've had B&G's here before frequently.

Although our lounge is big, and accommodated my clients birds for the month they are normally here for, I wouldn't personally have one here any longer unless it can be flighted outside.

In my opinion something big and open plan MIGHT accommodate their wingspan but it's hard to have a place that can take more than five flaps of a 4ft wingset. (without taking half the room with it)



I'd prefer to fly them on a harness but long wide aviary flights that can be locked together and collapsed again are just as good for those with a nice stretch of garden.

I've found bigger 'caws to be more attention seeking than some bird types, and so need a bit more family time and really HUGE cages if they're to be in for any period of time.

I always keep my birds in a cage one size bigger than what they "need". So my budgies are in a big cockatiel cage, for example.

However macaw cages i think are often too small. I like to think the bird can flap if it needs to, without damaging feathers. So a 4ft wingspan, for me, would equate to a 8ft wide cage at minimum, and a good 10ft long at least. many cages barely scrape 4ft by three. I know that's the "normal" size but i feel it's too small.

My father is a welder and has done a few custom cage designs for macaw owners. It's amazing what difference you see in the birds nearly overnight after a bigger cage allowance.

Good training and understanding neighbours would be a first consideration if getting a macaw, as they really can be boisterous and noisy!

Plenty of nearby wood supplies would also be beneficial for lots of chew toys and destroyable things to save any furniture you value

Also, be wary if keeping a smaller bird AND getting a big bird like a 'caw. I've tried to balance the two or sometimes more and thankfully only had one incident where my Mikko (budgie) got into the lounge with the macaw and got his toe "nipped" . Only a playfull nip from her, but nearly deadly to him, and he may have bled to death very quickly had I not been following him and quickly retrieved him to apply vast amounts of Cornflour to the bite wound. (clotting/thickening agent)

Just my opinion :) Best of luck!
Regards,
Sophie.

[macattack]

I can hear my mac (B+G) from down the street when he is having his daily scream. I hear another owner at least 3 acres away. we all live on an acre or more here.

He is a good watch dog too! so anything out the window out of the ordinary gets my attention. He is out 24/7 but i am home 24/7. I have a california cage (largest you can buy) dome top. and that is not enough for his antics. And if toys are added not enough for any wing movment. he sulks in the cage. Out he is very happy. he is not a wanderer. Not like my grey.

He is a bit cleaner than my grey. and more cautious with his food. He won't just try and toss, he will eat the entire piece of orange, or watermelon, while the grey takes a bit and voila, on the wall. he respects his cage more too. When i got the cage and mac the food doors were drilled shut. he was an escape artist. not once here, though.

He has killed any kind of wood near his cage. Even when i think its far enough away its not.


i have them both in quite large cages. poses challenges. in space. and cleaning. and out the door for hosing. house is small, i only have 1100 under air. so you can imagine the size problems. and if my mac ever decided to fly around he would get nowhere fast.

As for size and house? i just make it work. So can you.


Dusty? both are pretty dusty. So there needs to be good ventilation. And good air conditioning when its too hot. I see that my mac can get breathing a bit heavier when outdoors on the patio. the grey is more adept.

Toys cost double for the mac. 30-50 range, while the grey toys are cheaper.

to me the two of them make the perfect bird. One is smart the other a goofball. one talks the other doesn't. One is a mess, the other a bit cleaner. they totally balance each other out. :)

I have pics up on my blog. will try to find the links so you can see the cages and setup. and small space, etc... with such a small house they are totally in the center of attention. all day every day. so to me that is not a bad thing. Just makes cleaning a tad tiresome... can't just shut the door when company comes over.

[macattack]

goings on at jojo's: FIDS- feathered kids

here is one where you can see the cages. and space. It's a challenge!

[Copper]

I only wish I had vaulted ceilings here.
The living and dining rooms only have posts between (that macaw beaks have begun to rip apart ) They have 35 feet from one end to the other to fly if they want. The only one that does though is the cockatiel, and she makes rounds into and around the kitchen as well. Sailor, the B&G won't take to the harness yet, but does the occasional jaunt by wing. Angel-Rose likes her harness, and a couple times I've told her to go get it if she wants to go for a walk, and she flew to the stand that it's kept under, got it, and brought it back to be put on so we can go out. She will fly out there to the end of the leash and around in circles with me holding it for a few minutes, but I don't think she was allowed to fly by her previous owners. In the house she can create quite a whirlwind with those wings, all the while hanging onto her play stand.
Would love a cage that could go where those posts are between the rooms, but eventually they will have thier own room.
They aren't as dusty as the greys or the cockatiel, but do have some dust. They also like to have regular showers more-so than the greys.
Neither though are louder than the conure! It does make life interesting to say the least.

[FoxysMom]

Both my birds Harley, the B&G, and Foxy, the CAG, seem to be happy as little clams. I would be too if I had their life. Their room is an enclosed porch with windows on two sides with a shady view of a big old oak tree. The third side opens into the kitchen and the fourth side opens into the living room so they can keep an eye on mom pretty much all the time.
When I am not at work they are out. Fox likes to sit on top of her cage which is an Avian Adventures cage with plenty of room for her favorite activity of hanging upside down while she watches tv or plays with her numerous toys.
Harley, on the other hand, is more like a puppy with wings. He wants to be where I am. So he has a huge play stand with ropes connecting to his cage and he manages to use all the area of the room and cage and playstand like a huge gymnasium. Or he is on the floor rolling on his back and playing with the ball. He is hilarious!
Harley also loves to ride on my shoulder outside and shout HELLO at the neighbors. Fox's favorite thing to do outdoors is make a honking sound. She sounds just like my Toyota.
My villa is only 1100 feet under air, but I live alone with my 2 fids and we have all the room we need. They are both clipped. I wouldn't want them flying out the door or into a window. I travel with them to my friends houses quite often. It's much more convenient with them trimmed.
We have plenty of room to play, and talk, and scream with each other, and sing. Life is grand!

[Abyssinian1]

Macaws need space. They have long beautiful tails and large wingspans and need enough spce to accomodate both, as well as enough room to play, climb, flap wings, stretch, etc.

That being said, we have a mini macaw. She's a Severe, which is the largest of the minis. While the minis aren't as colorful, they have the personality of the big macaws, and them some and are just as loud. My husband got her the largest mobile cage he could find, which is roughly 2 & 1/2 feet in depth, by 4 feet in length, by 3.5 feet in height, with a play gym on the top and a storage shelf on the bottom. It's taller than I am and I'm 5'8". Only the depth is limited because we have to be able to get it outside to clean it. You can get a smaller cage for a mini-macaw like a hahns or a Severe, but I'd get as big a cage as you can - macaws are climbers and too small a cage can cramp them.

She also has her own room, two perches in the living room and the computer room and a shower perch. Add to that tons of wooden toys that need to be rotated on a regular basis. And a radio playing classic rock. And a humidifier and a heater on a remote control that will warm the room if it ever gets below 70 degrees. And a full spectrum lamp.

As far as what's in the home, I'd agree that we have to keep her supervised while she's out of her cage, and they do need lots of time out of the cage. I'd keep all cords out of the way, as well as making sure that they aren't chewing the furniture, tables, any paneling, etc. And I'd just keep them out of the kitchen as a matter of course for the safety of your bird. If Corina is in the kitchen, Dave has hold of her to keep her from jumping into the soup. Or the oven, or the dishwasher, or the fridge.

[Irish]

My best "home" for my macaws would be several thousand acres of untouched South American habitat, with rivers, clay "licks" and all the food they could want, and none of the predators.....

Since that's not possible, our home does a decent job of being a good place for Macaws to live. Their human is home all day, they have a fairly large aviary to play in by day, and sleeping cages at night. They get a good diet, a lot of attention, a fairly climate-controlled environment, and all the safety I can think of to provide them with. If I could do anything, I'd simply convert the whole back yard (about 30'x30') into a protected, covered indoor/outdoor aviary with living, bird-safe plants, protection from the worst of the elements, a gazillion toys of all sorts, and some sort of water feature. Since we live on 1/4 acre, our neighbors hear our macaws when they vocalize. Then again, we can hear them when they're playing loud music, when their dogs are barking, when they're letting their human children run amok noisily, whenever they use power tools, when they're revving their car/motorcycle engines, or adding to their fish guts compost bin right next to our fence (grrrrrrrrrrrr.........). It all works out.