Hyacinth Macaw Owners...Question for you

[nmrspindoc]

I know at least one individual owns one...how are they for noise? I know macaws are noisy buggers, are hyacinths any different or are they a typical macaw?

I have heard some ear splitting noises from macaws I've been around, but I have never been around a hyacinth and was wondering if there was a difference...or if they are just as noisy as their cousins.

I was interested in getting a hyacinth, but we are talking not for at least 4 years. Gotta save up!

Thanks!

[Lori~D]

They and any Macaw will be VERY LOUD at times. Depending on how well you socailize, feed and not spoil too much can make a difference in how much they use their "indoor voice" lol. But yes they can be as LOUD as any Macaw. They are very expensive and few and far between so you wont get many responses. There are only a handful of Hy owners on here. As a matter of fact if your serious about wanting one you had better get your name on a waiting list NOW if you want one in a few years.

[ReneeE]

I have a GW and a Hy and Kalea the Hy can out scream Jody hands down anytime. She tends to scream the alarm when she is scared of something and it is very hard on the ears. Just recently she saw something outside and came running over to me to save her via the kitchen island and proceeded to scream. Problem was I was on the phone trying to get some info on something and the poor guy on the other end had no idea what was going on. I apologized when I got Kalea calmed down and told him just think, she did that directly into my ear. We laughed.

I've had her for 2 yrs now and she was 4 or 5 when I got her and at first she did not do the morning/evening flock calling but later on she did. Eventually she stopped the evening call and then the morning one also. Later she started up the morning calls but last fall she stopped doing that one. I think Kalea got it into her head they were not necessary as it would almost be funny when you hear Jody say something in Macaw Talk and I can bet it was not 'It's ok honey, you can be quiet now'. Jody does not like Kalea's screaming either.

Hyacinths are fabulous birds. They are so full of love. Save every penny you can and before you know it you will have a very sweet and loving bird.

[loyallyroyal]

there are plenty of hyacinth breeders to choose from, but yes, the more reputable ones tend to have a waiting list. You can probably find some vocalizing on you tube too.
YouTube - ivy screams
YouTube - Ivy - The Acrobat

My biggest concern wouldnt be so much the price, but the space, you should see the damage they can do to a normal cage, they make special stainless steel cages for hyacinths with really thick bars you may want to look into.

Also they need big toys and big playstands. But my house is small so even my eclectus Dewey and his cage and mult. playstands take up a lot of room.

You may want to consider an aviary to for outside time, they like to sun. Otherwise the yellow on their face gets kind of pale.

Beyond that they have a pretty specialized diet that you may want to look into also.

Dont know if that helps.

[Irish]

Mikey Blue is 2 1/2 years old, and I've had him since he was 7 months old. Not once has he ever let out one of the window-shattering screams that his species is capable of. Hys seem to have lower-pitched, more melodious voices than other macaws, and as far as I can tell, don't tend to use their full volume potential very often. I can only base this on 2 male Hys that I've known well, however. Others may have a different view or experiences.

[nmrspindoc]

Thanks so much! As I said in a few years they would be something I would look into. I am well aware of the cost of the bird as well as the cost of their special diet and LOL the cost of a durable AKA stainless steel cage and all of the goodies and toys and whatnot.

Again, thanks so much! And if anyone has more to say... I'm all ears! :)

[Lori~D]

It refreshing to see a potential Macaw owner doing research first. Cudos to you. I want a Hy:)