The severe macaw

[dead-zone02]

I introduced myself a few days ago and told you I was looking for a severe macaw. I don't know where I could search to find one, I searched everywhere since 1 year... I found at least 30 of them but in Netherlands, Canada or USA... I'm desperate
Though I read a lot of topics which concerning the severe I'd like you to tell me more about them.
I found a big cage for him (84" 49" 33"), I just have to find the bird now...

[Copper]

Did you contact any rescues in your country?

[Irish]

We have an adult male Severe macaw. I've never met one that wasn't a one-person only bird, and Eddie is no exception. Loves my husband, barely tolerates me, hates everyone else. They have the most obnoxious voices you can imagine, and I swear that their genetic makeup includes vampire. They love to drain a vein when they get a chance. They are smart, cute, and very attractive. Despite the fact that I love Eddie (when he's not screaming--when he is, I want to pop him into the stew pot :-), I sure wouldn't choose any mini macaw if you're looking for a laid back kind of bird. They aren't. Many good qualities, mind you. You just have to know what you're looking for. Personally, I prefer the large macaws.

As for finding one in France, I haven't a clue. Good luck!

[dead-zone02]

Thank you for answering ;)
I'm very happy, I've found an severe's breeder in Belgium. He's got 3 eggs. I just have to wait...

[SevrMacDad]

I have a male, 6 yo and my only bird for now, been with birds since '84 though..smaller ones, aratinga conures mostly, this is my first macaw. Love that macaw goofyness, affection, intellignence and his size.

He can be noisy but to me sounds like a donkey on helium compared to the icepick-in-the-ear of some of conure's notes!!

[dead-zone02]

Thanks again for your reply ! :)
My baby is now born (there were 2, the first is born on friday and the 2nd on monday).

[crystaljoe2003]

I know where you can find a severe macaw! I have handled him at a pet store in southwest missouri and he is sweet but I was told he prefers women over men. I was able to hold him for about 45 min and really was sweet

[swanwillow]

hes in France, soooo, that won't really help him ;)

I kinda want a macaw though, but not a severe, I want a good chance at having a friendly one.

[Willa]

Everything Irish said about the Severe is true, but do not rule them out!

You will know the bird you want if you visit with/interact with them for a bit before you buy/adopt them. Birds are very, VERY smart.

When I first met my Severe "Luna" ... I pretty much wanted to just stay away from her, because she bit me several times. I then realized that I deserved to be bitten, because I never properly introduced myself to her.

So I started over. I went to visit her every day, making sure to stand back, say her name ("Luna") and "Good girl!". I'd always bring her a special treat, like a grape, or piece of melon, an almond, etc. After two days she KNEW me. I could tell.

She never bit me after that second day. I spent one and a half weeks visiting her, saying the same things, offering different goodies and walking around the aviary with her. I can't believe how smart this bird apparently is. She was whistling and singing in her carrier on the twenty minute drive home. She's been very quiet since she got here, but with four dogs, two cockatiels and two lovebirds, I think she's a bit overwhelmed. The good news is that she is making sounds and even mimicking the dogs.

I think Severe's can be very, very sweet, but these birds ARE needy to some degree and they need LOTS of socialization and attention ~ emphasis on "LOTS OF"!

P.S. I think we can all learn a few things from "Irish"! Look at her GORGEOUS birds! Irish, are your birds acquisitions/rescues or both? I bought my mini Severe Macaw because the larger ones just freaked me out! I cannot imagine getting bitten by one of THOSE!

[LindaMary]

I agree with you, Willa - and I have had a similar experience with my severe, Tanner, whom I brought home in November. He had gotten to know me over a year ago, as he was in the cage above the first bird I bought (a Timneh african grey) - and I was in visiting her several times a week fro 5 weeks before I brought her home. Evidently he decided he'd like to be part of this family, too, and it got so when I went back to the store for supplies he was making it VERY clear that he considered me HIS human. Long story short: he won.

What a difference between him and the Timneh, but it's a very entertaining household now, I must say! After living with my polite, aloof little grey lady for over a year, I suddenly have this clowny, goofy, nippy, physical, cuddly, raucous badboy in the mix! Ironically, he's not as messy as my little Timneh, which surprised me. I knew a lot more about greys before ! got one than I knew about macaws before I got one, so every day is a learning experience. No regerets, either!