b@g or green winged

[john126red]

hi anyone

i am looking for advice on what macaw to get i have a African Grey at the moment called scampi .
i have two children age 4 and 5 would it make a difference for them any advice would be appreciated. is there always a master to the macaws or will they take to anyone.
i have been thinking about a macaw for a long time but never thought the time would come having a new baby about the house.

thanks
john

[Lisa B]

hi john welcome to BB.

I honestly don’t know much about Macaws however we do have one member who has experience with both and is the person I go to with any questions concerning them. (She's kinda my go to expert )
She will be on later tonight, and I have made her aware of your question.

Ya have any pics of Scampi?

[CALVINS MOM]

John, I am somewhat biased, as I just love macaws. I think both are a good choice. The Green Wings are larger in size and have a bigger beak, which can sometimes be intimidating. They are also known as the "gentle giants." It is "SAID" that they are less noisy than other larger macaws. Not sure that is true....

I think they are more submissive than a B&G.

Blue and Golds are very sociable, as well. I have one who is about 13 (?) years old and I can confidently hand him to a 2 year old to handle.

That having been said, I would recommend that you go to a store where they have macaws. Get used to their noise level. Handle a few. Make sure you are ready for such a big jump with two younger children.

Like any bird, they require a sufficient amount of attention and socialization to stay friendly.

I recomend you start with a young baby so that the kids are not intimidated. They can "grow" with the baby.

If I had to make a choice between the two, I would say a GW, but the BGs are great birds too. Look into Red Fronted Macaws too.

[kensbuns]

I also know that Greys like their quiet time and that would definately be disturbed by a Macaw. I think I would rethink that whole decision. But if you still decide that a Macaw is in your future, I say GW!!

[Winged_Victory]

John, most experts will tell you, let the bird pick you as well as you pick the bird. All macaws are different and each has it's individual personality. You will know when you have found the right bird, don't be in a hurray as your macaw will be with you for many years. Once you handle several birds of each species you will sense what I'm talking about. Good luck in your search for a macaw.

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by Winged_Victory

John, most experts will tell you, let the bird pick you as well as you pick the bird. All macaws are different and each has it's individual personality. You will know when you have found the right bird, don't be in a hurray as your macaw will be with you for many years. Once you handle several birds of each species you will sense what I'm talking about. Good luck in your search for a macaw.

When you are dealing with a very young baby, they have no personality and they will "choose" anyone who puts a finger near them, as they see that as a handfeeding syringe upon which to pump. They are all just wonderful bundles of sweetness. I believe he is inquiring about the different species when they reach maturity and their real "macaw" personalities surface. No baby has a true macaw personality. All they know is hand feeding. It is the nurturing during these months and the many months to follow that help to form the behavioral characteristics.

[Winged_Victory]

John, go to a reputable bird store in your area that has macaws, (not babys), and interact with them. This is the only way you are going to see the different personalities between GW's and B&G's. A good bird store will have well socialized birds that you can handle and this will help you in your quest for a macaw. species.

[Doubleyolk]

I have one of each and two totally different personalities. My B&G will be 29 in October and never seems to run out of energy and my GW is 10 and likes to hang out and have his head scratched and chew on his foot toys and when he wants to play "Tug-O-War" is his favorite thing to do. They both have their bad days but for the most part they are both wonderful parrots. I have found that most Macaws love to play and their beak plays an active part in their play. Neither one of my Macaws can be trusted with children due to their previous homes and not being properly socialized.

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by Winged_Victory

John, go to a reputable bird store in your area that has macaws, (not babys), and interact with them. This is the only way you are going to see the different personalities between GW's and B&G's. A good bird store will have well socialized birds that you can handle and this will help you in your quest for a macaw. species.

Gary - perhaps you should define "babies" so as not to mislead John here.

A 5 month old macaw is just as much a "baby" as a 10 week old macaw, which is the age at which many reputable stores will receive a baby macaw.

If you read my suggestion, you will note that, due to John's having two YOUNG children who will likewise want to interact with the bird, I suggested a younger baby, such as a 10 week old, so that they can GROW with the baby as opposed to being intimidated by an older bird. I have had birds for 30 years. Macaws do not intimidate me. However, take a 4 year old little girl with no experience around a big bird and a big beak. They are going to be scared to death. With a younger baby, meaning one that is not quite fully feathered, there is less intimidation.

We have approximately 20 wonderful, well-socialized macaws right now. Likewise, we have several who are quite a bit younger. With the situation at hand, I feel he is best served to start with a younger baby so that the entire family can enjoy the new addition. Furthermore, a 5 month old macaw, whether it be a GW or a B&G, has not developed it's macaw personality at such a young age. You should know that they do not really develop their true personality until they are close to 18 months old or older.

[Winged_Victory]

What I'm saying is John needs to take his family to a bird store that has socialized birds, they can be 12 weeks to a year old. The family needs to see the birds in various stages of growth. Macaws about 20 weeks old start showing their personalities. The birds you have in your store in various stages of development probably are all be tame because they are handled consistently. I think the key to socialization is a bird being handled by more than one person. Some birds at any age seem to love young children, ones like this would be my choice for John. Since you mentioned you have 20 macaws in your store, several are attracted to children more than others, correct.