Best family macaw?

[chriskaw85]

Hey everbody new to the forum and had a senegal she was a sweetheart. I am going into the army and having a baby due date feb. 8th. What would be everyones opinion on a great family bird that would be best for me I would work a typical 8hr day and be home on weekends. Moving every 2 years I am looking for a big bird but not trying to break the bank thanks!

[loyallyroyal]

Are you determined to get a macaw? If so I would probably look into a blue and gold.

But with your kind of work day I would probably look at the larger conures, crimson bellied conures are a particular favorite of mine:
Pamperedpeeps Aviary- Crimson Bellied Conure for sale in AZ, Crimson Bellies for sale in AZ, quiet conyers for sale

Here is a great site to check out different species:
http://www.avianweb.com/parrotindex.htm

Im an ekkie person so I dont know to much about macaws, so I dont know if I helped you any.

[debbielabella]

wow sounds like you have a lot going on to be bringing home a big bird. Just going into the army and having a baby.. and your only home on weekends? not sure you have time for a big bird. All birds are expensive too. Maybe just focus on the baby for now? sorry I'm no help.

[chinniechantel]

I would wait until you have the baby and re-access the situation. You have no idea how much work a large parrot it, and having a baby, I don't know if it is your first, is going to be a lot to handle. Imagine a screaming bird when you finally get to sleep for the first time in 3 days, or a bird biting the baby. What about if the baby is scared of the bird? How will you be alone and take care of the bird, who will watch the baby? You don't want to bite off more than you can chew and then have to rehome the bird. Please wait, and if you decide it will probably work after you have the baby, then go for it.

[chapala]

Macaws seem to need even a little more attention and companionship than some other parrots, and I suggest thinking whether this is the right time in your life to bring home a parrot. Usually the birth of a little human takes all the attention and energy. You may be feeling now you can handle it, but I sure would suggest waiting until next spring when you're not getting much sleep and are spending lots of time caring for the baby, then decide. There will be other times and opportunites to get a Macaw when you can focus more on the new bird.

[Franciscus]

I agree with the other folks here, you'd be better off waiting untill later, when the baby is school age. I think the moving every two years would be very stressful with a parrot, especially a large macaw. I really love the Hahn's macaws, they have a LOT of personality packed in those little bodies. Perhaps that would be a good option for you, but at least wait untill after the baby is older.

[jjones1719]

You are getting great advise here. I would wait as well. All parrots need plenty of attn. Macaws sometimes need more. All parrots in gereral will craive your attn. Even when you come home from work and after a bad day, they want your attn and will do whatever it takes to get it both good and bad. They can even start pulling out their feathers. There are so many rescue birds out there and end up there due to the owners not knowing what there getting themselves into and the time is take to raise a happy go lucky bird. Best of luck to you. Thanks Joe

[xafsmom]

Not a great time indeed to get a Macaw. All Macaws can be loud, and the bigger you get, the louder they are. However, WHEN you do get one...

Consider an Red Front Macaw!!