Adopt 5 1/2 yo Hahns Macaw?

[Whistand]

Hello!
I have been looking for months for another parrot. I already have a GC Conure who we absolutely love and spoil. I found an add for a Hahns Macaw 5 1/2 years old. The owner is disabled and cannot care for him anymore. He was hand fed, eats people food (I will talk to her tonight to find out exactly what he eats.), and has become a bit nippy d/t lack of handling. The cage will be included.
So far my research finds that this Macaw is a delight.
I would like your input.
The cost for the parrot and cage, toys etc is $600
I will be speaking with the owner tonight after 10 pm and I am hoping for your input before then.
Sincerely,
Wendy in PA

[ROYJOY]

please give this bird your home. he'll be tame again soon.

[Amie]

If what you've read about the species fits with your home, go for it!!

I know a lot of people with GCCs and Hahn's. . .there has to be a similar allure there.

Thank you for adopting!! You'll have very little issues making him love you, I'm sure. It'll take a bit of work, but it will be SO rewarding when he's asking for cuddles and scritches and talking to you every morning!

[texbird]

As long as the nippiness doesnts scare you adn you have the patience and calm to deal with it, it sounds like a good thing to do...

[Maxlovesboating]

Paradise our Hans is a "HOOT" , she will keep you laughing all day long with some of what comes out of her mouth and she always says it at the right time. Go for it, they have such character.

[Whistand]

Thank you all for the encouragement. I am not afraid of being nipped. I have worked in a wildlife rehab center caring for hawks, owls, and other raptures. I just got off the phone with his Mom. She treats him like we treat our GCC, out of the cage, car rides, sitting on laps while on computer and doing things around the house.
One thing that I believe isnt good and correct me if I am wrong, he has eaten Sunflower Seeds all his life, no pellets, and does enjoy people food. Isnt Sunflower seeds too fattening?
Wendy in PA

[texbird]

You dont mean he has ONLY eaten sunflowers do you???

If so you REALLY need to get him on a more balanced diet, this is essential for his long term health.

[Whistand]

He isnt but the woman said she started feeding him sunflower seeds when she got him as a baby. She was hand feeding him. He also eats what ever she is eating.
I was just doing more reading on the Hahns and it said to sprinkle calcium powder on his food. I know diet is very impt. and not everything you read online is correct.

[Courtzrocks]

GET IT GET IT BLOODY GET IT!!!!!!!!!!! Mainly cos a Hahn's macaw in australia is $3000+ so $600 with that included sounds great! Sure the diet will need a mix up but OMG Grrr why are birds so expensive here!

[Amie]

SOME sunflowers aren't bad for most birds. (I know some birds have to have a really strict low-fat diet and they should have no sunflowers, and I'm not sure about mini-macs) But Scarlett gets about 2 or 3 a day, and mostly she just breaks them up. She likes the noise they make when they are pulverized by her beak.

I would highly suggest against sprinkling any kind of powder. If they need more calcium, there are several ways they can get it naturally.

Cayenne pepper is a good source of it (and lots of other things) and you can sprinkle that on any food (Birds love spicy!).

Boiled eggs with the shell are high in calcium AND all 9 amino acids.

Almonds (in moderation. . .too many nuts can cause obesity!) are a good source, too.