Thinking about a macaw

[Buggzter]

Hi all. I'm presently owned by a lovely jendaya conure who is nearly 9 months old right now... My husband and I have been thinking about a larger parrot, and we are wondering what advice we can get on the matter?

He wants an african grey at some point, and I really would like to have a macaw. I'm a stay at home mother, so I do have the time to dedicate to such animals. We have a daughter who is almost 3 who is excellent with animals but also will not go near them without permission from him or I (we also have... OTHER pets...). We also are thinking about having another child within a year or so, but none after that unless we adopt a fostor child sometime...

What would al of you suggest for a good macaw species that would work well with children? I know that it's best to get a young bird to adjust to children in the house, unless I find one that has experience with kids since the children might just freak out the bird... ;)

I have fallen in love with a sweetheart of a greenwing who is about 2 months old, but I know that I won't be able to get all the things needed for him before he gets sold (I know the owners of the store, and the animals are very well cared for, including the breeder's birds)... If there is not a good young bird available in the area in a rescue that works well for us, I am willing to look into either a breeder or the couple good stores in the area that are very good with birds...

I've been suggested to get a blue and gold, a greenwing, and to NOT get a scarlet since we have kids... What do all of you think on this matter?

Also, since I can't seem to find this info yet, what are the cage size requirements for the various macaws for sleeping cages? Main cages if they are in alot? What sort of playstands hold up very well to them? I just want to get everything together before I start actually looking for a bird to join us...

Factors that are important to know for us in choosing: size, how loud/noisy in general the species is, talking abilities (a plus for my husband...), intelligence, ease of general care, temperments, how good with families in general... :) I want to be thourough, and I keep finding information that contradicts other stuff I find...

THANK YOU!!!!!

[LoveMyBeak]

Hannah my B&G is very sweet with my whole family, even with my seven year old daughter, she has been hand raised by a sweet old man, who loved her dearly, I would say B&G but that is because I am biased, our CAG is mainly bonded to my wife and pretty much wont anybody else handle him, but Hannah lets everyone handle her, even strangers. As for noise? well it seems that as long as she is fed and has lots of things to do she is pretty quiet, although I DO put her outside in the afternoon and dusk to let her get the squawking out of her system...........LMB

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[SisterBlue]

You will always find contradicting information on birds because the birds themselves contradict each other. :)

There are some general guidelines to describe the personality of each type of macaw, but like humans, there will be a wide range of personalities within every type. You almost have to narrow it down to a couple of different species that you like, and then find "the" particular bird that you connect with. There are several macaw experts on the forum and I'm sure they will be able to give more info.

I grew up many many years ago with a B&G who was a total sweetie...not much freaked him out. I've known many other sweet, gentle B&G's since then, so that's the perception I have of them. I now have a 3 month old baby Hahns Macaw (the smallest of the "mini macaws") and I'm looking forward to seeing him grow into his personality.

I was chatting with my breeder about macaws, and we were talking about the differences between scarlets and greenwings. He put it to me this way: "A scarlet will follow you around and watch you do things...a greenwing will HELP you do them." :)

-SB

[jjones1719]

Hello, My name is Joe and currently waiting for my baby Greenwinged to come home on September 13th. I purchased My Greenwinged from Mountainridgeaviary.com. The cost was $1795.00, My Breeder's name is Jeanette who is the best Breeder around in my opinion. I bought a Male Eclectus 2 years ago who is about the sweetiest bird alive. My advise would be to stick with either the Greenwinged or the Blue and Gold. Be aware of rescues although I do know of two Greenwings in my Bird Club who are very sweet rescues. Buy the largiest cage you can. King cages are the best and run around $1,000.00 or so. Depends on if the cage is powder coated of stainless steel. Greenwings are not known to be loud screamers but they can at times. normally in the morning and sunset. they require a fat diet with a mixture of fruit, Veg, nut mix, pellets, fresh water 3 times daily. The Greenwings are also called the gentle giants and are very smart. My baby learned to escape from his cage at ripe old age of 7 weeks. good luck in whatever you deside on. Ny the way my feathered friend's names are eclectus ( Guapo ), Greenwing ( Neleno ). Thanks JJones1719

[Buggzter]

Thanks all.

So far, I'm between the B&G and the Greenwing... :) I really hope I can get all I need together before that one greenwing is sold... I would LOVE to take that darling home!

She comes over to me any time I'm over there, and her back and belly are still just down!!! They have not yet clipped her wings either, which is a positive for me since I'm planning on flighting all my birds (Pheonix was clipped before I got her, but she's about to moult and has a diaper and leash coming so as we won't worry too much about her getting away... plus recall training!)... *sigh* I'm excited. :D

Now, to do more research...

Oh, I've heard from a few people in town to look into a bird show to see if I find a baby that clicks with me... Any ideas about that? My main concern would be illnesses, and I'd have my jendaya stay with my mother in law I think since Pheonix loves staying there on occasion, just until the quarentine period would be up.... lol - so much to think about!

[KimM]

I love macaws (pretty obvious since I have 2 of them) and its good you're at home. Consider this. A macaw is like having a perpetual 2 - 5 year old in the house. The don't ask for attention - they demand it ...LOL. Mine are both pretty good at entertaining themselves as long as I keep a variety of toys available to them.

A GW is a great bird. From what I've been told and observed do NOT get a Scarlet for your first macaw. I have been told and confirmed by my AV's that the Scarlet is the "dominant" species of macaws. They are very sensitive and I personally would not recommend one for a first time macaw owner. I love my Elliot to death, but he does require "different" handling than my Harlequin.
Hyacinth's are supposedly the most gentle (referred to as Gentle Giants), then Green wings, then blue and golds. Scarlets are on the other end of the spectrum. GW can be huge so consider before getting one. Those beaks can be pretty intimidating if you're not used to them.
IMO, I would not recommend a rescue macaw for your first. I would get from a baby (fully-weaned).

As far as a cage? The biggest one you can find. Look at King's Cages for quality.
Noise level? Macaws are the loudest. They can rattle the fillings out of your teeth. I know I've lost some of my hearing since I've acquired them.
Intelligence? They're all smart, but they are also like children. they all have their own little personalities, comprehension and intelligence levels. I'm sure others will have input as well, but that's my 2 cents from my personal experience.
My Newton talks up a storm and sometimes never shuts up. Elliot is very quiet, laid back, lovey, and mild-mannered (weird for a Scarlet), but he does have his "scarlet moments" as I call them.

One thing I can tell you about both of my macaws for sure. They picked me!

[papayamama]

You are making the right choice by wanting to get a young bird since you have a young child. My daughter just turned 4 and our blue and gold macaw does really well with her. We've had Papaya since he was a baby and now at 4 months of age he is so gentle with everyone in our household.
I'm really glad we got Papaya at a young age because otherwise I would feel extremely uneasy with an older bird from a previous home around my daughter.
As for a b&g or a greenwing, I've been told by the lady who sold us Papaya that both are excellent with children. She did suggest getting a greenwing over a b&g and thats what we were getting but the eggs never hatched so we got Papaya instead. I wouldn't have it any other way. Good luck.

[KimM]

Originally Posted by jjones1719

Hello, My name is Joe and currently waiting for my baby Greenwinged to come home on September 13th. I purchased My Greenwinged from Mountainridgeaviary.com. The cost was $1795.00, My Breeder's name is Jeanette who is the best Breeder around in my opinion. I bought a Male Eclectus 2 years ago who is about the sweetiest bird alive. My advise would be to stick with either the Greenwinged or the Blue and Gold. Be aware of rescues although I do know of two Greenwings in my Bird Club who are very sweet rescues. Buy the largiest cage you can. King cages are the best and run around $1,000.00 or so. Depends on if the cage is powder coated of stainless steel. Greenwings are not known to be loud screamers but they can at times. normally in the morning and sunset. they require a fat diet with a mixture of fruit, Veg, nut mix, pellets, fresh water 3 times daily. The Greenwings are also called the gentle giants and are very smart. My baby learned to escape from his cage at ripe old age of 7 weeks. good luck in whatever you deside on. Ny the way my feathered friend's names are eclectus ( Guapo ), Greenwing ( Neleno ). Thanks JJones1719

Oh yes JJones is right! GW's are very mechanically inclined. My Newt is 1/2 GW and can disassemble almost anything. Newt can unhinge every door on his cage but the main door, probably because of the weight.

[Monica]

You might also want to consider a red front macaw! Now I don't really have much experience with macaws (I own two red-headed conures - which some might consider them to be 'mini macaws' since they are "cousins" to the macaw family), but red fronts are another that are said to be great!!!! Or, if you'd like a B&G but not quite so interested in the size, you could always look into a blue throated macaw! (but then if you are interested in a GW, well, I'd also recommend one of those, too! )

(NOTE: Inca, the RFM, is flight trained - do not try flying an untrained bird!)



Blue & Gold and Blue Throat Macaws - Cincinnati Zoo

[xafsmom]

Sadly, be prepared to pay a pretty penny for both the caninde and the red-fronted macaws. A B&G can be a lot of fun, and mine adores my 13 year old. ...Ware your furniture though. Big Macaws + Kids + 1 hour unsupervised = eaten bed frames. :(