Tell me about macaws

[Courtzrocks]

Ok so I don't have a macaw and probably wont for a few years as they are so incredibly expensive over here but tell me what your macaws are like. What type are they (preferably not hybrids as there is no way I can get one in Australia, or hyacinths as that's not going to happen either lol)? What are their personalities like? What are they like with other people/pets/birds? Bonding issues? Etc...I really need to know all as the cheapest macaw here is a mini macaw starting at $4000 to a greenwing $13,000...if i am going to spend alot i need to know alot. Thanks in advance.

[MicahEspudo]

Crap!!!! thats a LOT of money!
A mini here (in California) is like $600-$800 and a green wing is like $1,600 (but thats breeders not pet shops)
How strong is the aussie money compared to the american dollar?
I am still researching macaws (more like dreaming, but still doing research) so I don't know enough or feel comfortable enough to give you advice...
But from what I have read macaws seem like very amazing birds... But I don't think I want a bird that will out live me, if I get a macaw it will be within the next 10 years.
... I hope other people can be more help than me lol.

[Courtzrocks]

The aussie dollar goes up and down but apparently its not too much less at the moment. Just we cant import/export so they can afford to charge us the world for one. A blue and gold is about $7,500 which is good compared to about 10 years ago at $15,000. Hyacinths are apparently illegal here (dont think so but might be) but the last one sold here was sold for $58,000.

[Courtzrocks]

Anyone??????

[cozyparrot]

Welllll, I'll chime in here and say that it does take a person who truly loves the macaw personality to get along well with one. There are lots of those folks out there and they seem to know exactly how to handle these extremely intelligent and sometimes mischievous creatures. I think it IS the intelligence levels that sometimes get these large birds in trouble. They KNOW exactly how to manipulate. If you can, before you commit to a macaw, spend some time around one in a home situation. This will show you what I mean. They are truly wonderful and spectacular birds but they live a very long time and can occasionally test even the most patient people. I love them, I really do but.....alas, I'm just not cut out to be a macaw person. Knowing that is really important. Best of luck with this big decision.

Gena

P.S. It's not just the initial expense to consider - it's the extra expense associated with everything they need as well. (large cage, many toys that are expensive, more food, etc.)

[Courtzrocks]

I would definately get a cage and toys etc probably before the bird is born. I have a fantastic Avian vet, it wont be for a few years yet as they are so expensive over here but I just want to be prepared for what's to come. My alexandrine has definately showed me what birds can be like, she drives me absolutely insane sometimes but she is so funny even if she doesnt like to be touched. I spent over $1000 on Matches vet bills in the first month...lots of issues but I am happy to pay that if it means she is healthy.

She will chew and destroy anything she can get her beak on, she likes to back chat me when i tell her off, she will not let anyone touch her feathers, she HAS to be involved in whatever you are doing, she will eat anything and likes to do an almighty scream when she flies LOL, but despite her insane actions, i love her, she's so funny and loves people, will go to anyone (didnt want her to bond to just one person so she is well socialized) and she will do anything for a sunflower kernal lol.

Alexandrines are also called "the poor mans macaw" as they can bear a likeness to them (apparently??). When I went to parrot play school, the guy who taught it said she was alot like his macaws, alot of work, and if he didnt have macaws he would have gotten an alexandrine. I know they aren't big, but neither are mini's. I know I will able to handle a macaw when the time comes but it wont be for at least 4 or 5 years. I just want to know what peoples macaws are like, what i need to know and what the different species are like? I have been bitten by a macaw so i know what thats like too and have not been put off still. Please tell me your stories and what to look for. Thanks for your help and concerns.

[Chief's Mom]

I haven't had my macaws for very long, but I'll tell you what I've experienced so far. We got Chief (GW) from a breeder when he was around 18 weeks old. He was still on one handfeeding a day (husband and I have hand-fed birds before and the breeder made us do it a few times before she'd let us take him home...I wouldn't have taken him if I had any doubt in our abilities), and he had completely weaned himself around 30 or 35 weeks. He turned one on April 29th. He has his moments when he's a puddle of feathers and he has his moments where you wonder what you've gotten yourself into. Thankfully those times are few and far between I agree that it takes a special person to own macaws. You have to be very devoted to them (which I know you know already). At first Chief was so clumsy and goofy. He's still goofy but not nearly as clumsy I don't know why they only call 'toos velcro birds. From the moment I walk in from work until 'night, night' time, Chief is attached to me. He'll get on his play stand if its next to me, but if I get up he's following me. If I leave the room without telling him where I'm going, he screams 'mama' until I answer or return. I can't wash dishes in the sink without being attacked by him. He has learned how to climb up the drawer handles like steps to get up to the counter and the sink. He can also be extremly demanding. He wants to be in front of your face constantly; nothing should be more important than him. He cuddles his head in my neck and clicks his beak. He whispers 'Love you' all the time. He gives [u]everything[u] a big 'Hello,' whether its a person, the dog, a vacuum. He'll chase after us, with his big goofy feet, waddling back and forth. He is the coolest bird in the world! (Of course, that's a biased opinion!) He also has his moments where he doesn't want to socialize with other people; he's bitten my brother pretty bad. He's okay with people talking to him, but they'd better not touch him. I find he's getting better as he gets older, so hopefully he'll grow out of that since we always have people over. I'm still amazed every day at the latest thing he's learned. They are so incredibly intelligent.

Now Sarge (Military) is older and we've only had him for 3 months or so. He was returned to a pet store and I wasn't happy with the way the pet store was handling him, so we bought him. He's much more high-strung. He loves to hang from the top of his cage, swinging by one toe, screaming as loud as he can. He's picky about what he eats (we're slowing adding more pellets). He hates my husband. But all of these things are due to his past, not necessarily his personality. So far, I've noticed that he wants to be cuddled for a few minutes, then he wants to go back on his stand or cage. He doesn't like 'down time' like Chief does. He's much more acrobatic (but that could be because Chief is young), and can tear apart a 4x4 ten times faster than Chief (again, that could be because of age). He doesn't talk (Chief does), but he and Chief go back and forth all day. Chief insists on telling him 'hello,' but Sarge just squawks back. He's definitely the clown out of the two. He always does his 'ha, ha, ha' laugh at the appropriate times. If you say his name, he flips his head upside down to squawk back at you.

They are totally two different birds, with different body language. I always have to be aware of that. Chief's reaction to get petted is the same as Sarge's reaction that he's about to bite. As different as they are, they're both equally fun. I know people advocate different sterotypes for different species, but its also how you handle that bird. Chief has grown up with us, where Sarge has to tell us what he wants. I know that Chief is a gentler bird because he's had a loving home and has never sufferred like Sarge; it's not just because he's a Greenwing. Basically, I don't think its all that important to choose a certain type, it depends a lot on how you and the bird click.

Obviously, I could go on for days talking about my babies Hopefully someone with more experience replies to your post. As obvious as it is that you're completely in love with Matches, I think you'll do wonderful with any macaw

[Courtzrocks]

Thank you, sounds like matches, she HAS to be involved in whatever your doing. If I leave her on her playstand she'll fly after me incase i am doing something much more interesting lol.

Your Macaws sound great!! I LOVE greenwing macaws, it makes me sad that i might never have one but I am hoping that one day I can. I am planning on breeding birds in the future and actually looking at breeding macaws so more Australians can see how great they are and bumping up the population of them here. But a pet would be first. I have been around a few macaws and everytime i am around them i get so excited because they are so beautiful and full of personality. I love hearing about other peoples macaws.

[Tom Lawless]

I have the Hahns Macaw. He is a great little guy. I've only had him since November. He is 9-10 months old. He is very affectionate. He talks a little (but not real clear). He is very funny and very attached to me. He would be with me 24/7, well 12-14/7...he likes a long night's sleep. He is generally affectionate but can be a little nippy (we've conversed on this fact). I would recommend him to anyone but if you want a large Macaw this guy isn't going to fit the bill.

[Courtzrocks]

I really do like hahn's macaws they are really cute, they're about $4,000 here. My mum was thinking about getting a hahn's macaw.