Macaw companion

[Chariclo]

Looking for advice from experienced Macaw owners. I have a female Catalina Macaw - 6 months old. She is my first macaw and is currently my only feathered child (I have 3 human children,6 cats, and a very tolerant fiance), however, I can't help but believe that she would be happier with another winged one for company. When she saw a picture of another on a page in a macaw book she got very excited, and cooed and danced.

I do not want to breed however, so a mate isn't necessarily what I would be interested in. Can you suggest other parrots that would be especially compatible with my macaw?


Thanks!

[The Outlaw]

May I suggest that you let her grow out of the baby stage before you add another bird. I have 4 BG macaws and they range from 2 to 4 years old. All are quite young and interact well together. However, a 6 month old is very young and just beginning to explore its world. Birds are like people, they choose their friends. Mine seem to prefer their own kind as a rule, but I have some strange buddies here, too. My Severe macaw and my Ekkie hen are good friends, my CAG and my TAG are friends, and one of my BGs really liked a little Hahns I used to board here. Some birds don't make ANY friends with birds and get quite jealous. I'd take my time and look around. Also, put the word out that you are considering another large bird. You may be surprised and stumble upon one needing a good home for little or no money. I know that locally, I have an excellent reputation for good bird keeping and am often offered free or near free birds whose owners just want them to be happy.

To answer your question, however, I would think another of the larger macaws would be your best prospect. Same sex would be a good idea, too.

THE OUTLAW

[TooLover]

Nancy - I was waiting for you to jump on this one with excellent advice, and once again you didn't disappoint.
I, too, would wait and enjoy the baby stage!
I saw a baby blue and gold in the pet store the other day and couldn't believe how small and sweet he looked; ElwoodBlue joined our home when he was 2 (though I suspect they were incorrect regarding his age). He is a sweet guy and has come such a long ways......................I have no regrets, however, I really wish I hadn't missed out on the baby stage!
Enjoy that baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Outlaw]

Laurie:

I only got to enjoy the baby stage with Sailor. That was totally accidental, but it was so wonderful. Its great to have a baby bird that's totally dependent and thinks that you hung the moon. However, I won't for one moment say he's my favorite. My favorite is the Fabulous Margarita, and she was over the baby stage when I got her (I think she was about 14 months, not sure). That's still quite young, but she wasn't begging to be hand fed (LOL).

THE OUTLAW

[Chariclo]

Thanks for the great advice.
I will be waiting awhile. Maia is so dear to me - a dream come true. I actually cannot imagine sharing my time with anyone else at this point anyway. My fiance and kids even have to get in line behind Maia. Your help is so appreciated. I'm just trying to do what's best for her, and I was concerned about her being lonely for her own kind.

When the time comes I will try to "rescue" a bird in need of a good home - as you mentioned Nancy. Since becoming a member of this board, and doing a lot of research, I've become apalled at the number of neglected birds and uncaring petowners out there.

I actually have the space and finances to house many birds if I so choose. But for me (and most of you too or we wouldn't be here), my pets are a part of my family. Everytime another mouth to feed is added to the table a piece of the pie is cut once again. What I mean by that is that there is only 100% of me to split up. I don't want to jeapordize what time I already have to spend with those already here. That is precisely why I waited until my last child turned 5 and is ready to go to kindergarten before I adopted my macaw. It wouldn't have been fair to me, my kids or my fid to do it any other way.

I am so grateful you are all here to share with!

Thank you!

[The Outlaw]

My pleasure to help. Joel and I often think that we got too caught up in acquiring too many birds before it dawned on us that one day we'd have to give them all up. Its very difficult trying to make good arrangements for that eventuality. So, with this in mind, try to really think it through. I have 10 amazing a wonderful birds here. They make my heart absolutely sing. I have been married to my high school sweetheart since 1968 and he's great about supporting whatever my heart desires. However its quite time and resource consuming to do it well. Since they've totally stolen my heart and the mere thought of parting with even one sends chills down my spine, let me say this. In all honestly, if I had it to do again, I would carefully chose no more than 5 birds. Of course, they would be really BIG ones, for I'm partial to bigger birds, but that was an easy and very managable number. Four of the current residents were given to me by frustrated or sick folks who simply wanted their birds to live well and prosper under my care. I have the resources to take care of them all, but one day I won't. Please, by all means have your heart's desire, but make sure its YOUR selection.

I have gotten to the point in my life that I've decided the current dog will be the last dog and I no longer have any cats. I don't have time and its time for me to simply move on.

THE OUTLAW

[Joel]

Nancy :) ...................You can speak for me anytime because I am always thinking what you are saying it seems 8) . Yes, you are right on again, I got too many birds too fast and my thoughts about my predicament now regarding their future etc. etc. is always on my mind. I am always looking for some wonderful bird lovers that are well experienced and knowledgeable to hopefully take one or two or a few etc. when my time is up someday (hopefully not soon). I am usually only looking for younger people who have a life long interest in birds to leave part of my flock to so hopefully my guys/gals will "pass on" with them and not have to go yet to still another new home after the next keeper. Only problem with that is that IMO & IME that goal is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I am so worried about my feathered buddies regarding their future. :(

If I dropped dead tomorrow, I definitely would be able to rest peacefully in my grave if YOU took them all but I have way too many to lay that burden on you especially since you (like I) are no "Spring Chicken", I say that respectfully btw. There are some others on this board that sound like possible prospects for my wish/dream but time will tell if they may prove out to be the ones or some of the ones I am looking for.

I have always said to myself, if I had it to do over, like you say, I would only have about 5 or 6 pet birds, no more and I too prefer the larger ones although a few mid sized ones have captured my heart also. I love them all incl. the finches all the way up the ladder but the larger ones do seem to have something a little more special relating to their characters.

I'm glad you at least have someone (your hubby-sweetheart) to take over for a day or two etc. if you are under the weather or in an accident (God Forbid) until you can get on your feet again. I am not so lucky/fortunate/prepared as I have no one to help at all unless I hired someone in an emergency who could help out till I recovered. Almost impossible IMO to find someone (bird-lover type) free enough with their time to do the job I have to do every single day and in the manner I think it needs to be done. Thank God or my lucky stars or both that I have been blessed with fairly decent health and no major accidents to take me completely off my feet for even a day in the last 10 years or so.........I hope my good fortune continues. Wish me and my flock good luck etc.......

How I wish you were younger OUTLAW so you could take them all and if you couldn't handle them all then I would still feel confident that you would find them excellent homes.........I got my eye on a couple of ya others too (not to mention names yet) so save a few bucks will ya (not to buy my flock members but to care for them properly).

I really need to sit down, ASAP, to make a list somewhat and write down addresses & telephone numbers etc. so in case of that possible emergency, my guys/gals can be picked up quickly or sent to their new homes quickly....... Please folks, don't get carried away like I have done in the past............... I even find myself willing to adopt more from time to time when the opportunity presents itself and I can actually handle more as far as giving them a good home goes etc. (temporarily anyway - while I am still able) but I definitely have no additional quality time for new members so I just gotta learn to say: NO MORE!!!!!! (Unless maybe a mate for one of my currently single ones, maybe). :)

[TooLover]

5 seems to be the magic number; I have 5 parrots, two small and 3 large. It is the perfect number for our busy household, which also includes 3 dogs, a cat, and a rat! I have just enough time in the day, working full-time and taking care of the house and the fids. Heck, I just turned 40 and am not getting any younger!

[Joel]

What a sweet-heart you are Jodi, thanks (but why the LOL? :) , did I make a joke? :? )...........I wish ya did live closer, I really need a vacation, haven't had one in all those years. Maybe that is why I seem/act/talk like a DING-BAT sometimes...........I would pay ya for your services of course if ya were nearby. Wanna move??????

Hey Gang, due to my personal situation right now, I can't offer what I may be offering in the future (to a few of ya dedicated and knowledgeable bird lovers) BUT IN THE FUTURE (most probably) I will offer ya and your significant other a place to stay and refrigerator raiding privileges, maybe even a vehicle to use, for a week or two or longer vacation here in sunny South Fla. at my place in exchange to allow me to get away for a break maybe a few times a year.......Sound interesting to anyone????? I would probably show you the ropes for the first few days before I took off and I'm sure most could handle it.....Let me know openly or in a pm if you may be interested.....Cannot bring children, pets or friends (remote possible exception though on that). You would have plenty of time left in each day to go to the beach, out to dinner & a movie, sight-seeing etc.... .....I would try to time your visit when I don't have any babies to handfeed.........I would also most probably allow a flock member or two to go back home with ya if ya qualified........... :) ......Just some thoughts and ideas for now.....

[TooLover]

Sounds like a dream deal Joel, however, we know that I don't qualify but that is okay. With my household of fids and 4-legged babies, not to mention 17 yo teenage daughter, and last but certainly not least my hubby, the only vacation we get here is an overnight trip out on our boat, and sometimes we take the fids with us................................guess part of being a parront is the freedom we sacrifice to make sure that we provide the best care possible................if you find someone to take the deal let me know and you can come visit me here in the panhandle!