scarlet macaw - military macaw refresher

[debbielabella]

can someone refresh my memory just how loud and nippy scarlets and military macaws are? I keep drooling over pictures and need a reality check.

[Greycloud]

My girlfriend has a military. He is a rescue and about 5 yo. He is pretty loud though he does keep himself busy alot with toys. However when he is on his stand he finds a way down to come to her. He will climb up her leg while she is on the computer and sit in her lap. He then proceeds to nip and pinch bite her belly! The more she tries to get him off he works his way around her back and bites her there and comes around to the boobs! Granted this is her fault and is a training and behavior problem. I have a U2 and he can sometimes get about as loud as him when desparate.

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by Greycloud

My girlfriend has a military. He is a rescue and about 5 yo. He is pretty loud though he does keep himself busy alot with toys. However when he is on his stand he finds a way down to come to her. He will climb up her leg while she is on the computer and sit in her lap. He then proceeds to nip and pinch bite her belly! The more she tries to get him off he works his way around her back and bites her there and comes around to the boobs! Granted this is her fault and is a training and behavior problem. I have a U2 and he can sometimes get about as loud as him when desparate.

your U2 and the military are comparable for noise? What causes him to scream? Is it just when he wants attention, or just morning and evening, or is it joy of life for the heck of it screaming throughout the day? The first 2 reasons are manageable, the third would drive my husband out the door.

That was a good thing your girlfriend did taking in a rescue. His behavior sounds challenging! I stopped myself from getting a military, which is the largest macaw I think is doable or reasonable, because of stories like this. The birdstore has a military though that is wonderful, it belongs to the owners, and was a baby of theirs from their breeding pair. Their breeding pair is still tame and they co-feed the babies along with the parents, which is pretty exceptional.

The scarlets I love because they seem sensitive and very devoted, and lets face it gorgeous. I've read a few threads that they don't make noise as often, so even though they are very loud, if it is infrequent, that may be doable. My biggest concern is if I have the courage not to be fearful of their beak and if I would be able to handle such a large bird comfortably. I know of someone who has a scarlet who is so gentle, with her, he's harnessed trained, and even though other people can't handle him, he's not aggressive with them and is very sweet. He's a very beautiful bird and made me re-think the bad things I heard about scarlets.

[Tom Lawless]

Have you considered a red front? They seem to be a great bird and although not as striking as a Scarlet, pretty in their own right.

[kellywess]

Originally Posted by debbielabella

can someone refresh my memory just how loud and nippy scarlets and military macaws are? I keep drooling over pictures and need a reality check.

Where are you located? The reason I ask is that there is a Military and a Blue and Gold on Craigslist in my area.
(Virginia Beach, Virginia -- Hampton Roads)

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by Tom Lawless

Have y--ou considered a red front? They seem to be a great bird and although not as striking as a Scarlet, pretty in their own right.

this is going to sound silly, but I ruled out a red front because they are very active and enjoy flying, knowing me he would be loose all the time and I would end up chasing him all over the place and get nothing done. It's the same reason I don't have a caique. a goffins, a rose breasted or a lory. I work from home so I am able to keep my birds out of their cages a lot, Tiki gets into more than his fair share of trouble. I can't say how many times I've been on the phone in a meeting and didn't hear a question posed to me because I was running interference for Tiki. I enjoy birds that are trouble and high maintaince though. Maybe I should stop thinking with my head. I keep ruling out the birds I want most because I focus on the negatives.

[TAGyourIT]

My Scarlet is very quiet. She will latch onto me with her beak to stable herself but I would not consider her nippy at all. My TAG is more nippy.

If you are seriously interested in a large bird, I would try to find the "right" adult. This way, you know what you are getting... My B&G was 9 years old when I adopted her, and she is my FIRST Macaw. I could not imagine a more devoted, loving bird. The beak can be very intimidating, but honestly...you get past it quickly. I am very glad I went the adult route when getting my birds...I let them pick me and it has worked out really well.

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by kellywess

Where are you located? The reason I ask is that there is a Military and a Blue and Gold on Craigslist in my area.
(Virginia Beach, Virginia -- Hampton Roads)

ahh Virginia beach.. would love to be there right now! I'm in CT. I thought about getting a macaw from craigs list, there are so many that need homes. My concern is I'm not 100% confident I can manage a baby from a good breeder, and even less so a bird that has some problems already. But if I get a baby, it will outlive me. My daughter though has always wanted a scarlet and she is excellent with her senegal, maybe she could provide for the scarlet after I'm gone. I just have to be careful that I don't leave behind birds that are difficult to keep or place in good homes. Another reason I don't have a macaw. I'm in my mid 40s.

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by TAGyourIT

My Scarlet is very quiet. She will latch onto me with her beak to stable herself but I would not consider her nippy at all. My TAG is more nippy.

If you are seriously interested in a large bird, I would try to find the "right" adult. This way, you know what you are getting... My B&G was 9 years old when I adopted her, and she is my FIRST Macaw. I could not imagine a more devoted, loving bird. The beak can be very intimidating, but honestly...you get past it quickly. I am very glad I went the adult route when getting my birds...I let them pick me and it has worked out really well.

My concern with getting an older bird is people give them up because they aren't committed enough to do what they need to be their forever home, they probably havn't given the the love, care, training, attention that they need to be well adjusted and I don't have the confidence that I can handle a large bird that has some training issues to work out. I think it's wonderful that people can do it, I'm just not sure I have what it takes.

[chapala]

We have a re-homed Military Macaw who was mature and never handled before we got her, bit and drew blood. She bonded rather quickly to my husband, and now is a very cuddly, affectionate bird. She is a little nippy sometimes but not bad, kind of like pinching while preening the human. I can handle her also, but only he can preen her head! She's got a good, loud Macaw jungle scream, but normally she's a pretty quiet bird.

They are all individuals, so you need to know the personality of the bird you're considering, whether Scarlet or Military. I do think the hens are a little easier than the males.