Severe macaw.

[LovelySydney]

There is a person in my area rehoming a 10 year old severe macaw. She wants it to go to a good home, hopefully she will get in contact with me (hasnt yet, Im still crossing my fingers!)



Anyway, Im posting in here because Id like to know as much about severes as possible. I have heard that they can be little tyrants but also little sweethearts. Any information would be great. Thanks!!

[Dawnsfall]

I only know one severe, -the one that happens to live with us, so I can't really speak for severe's in general, but I can tell you about mine.

Cody is either an angel or a devilbird, and he can go from one to the other and back in no time flat. He might not know what he wants all the time, but he sure does know what he doesn't want and is not afraid to let everyone else know too.

He wants to be around his flock. Yes, he has favorite people, but in a pinch anyone is better than no one.

He can be a bully and will bite or threaten to bite to get his way if he senses weakness. Of my two daughters, he loves the one that lets him get away with murder the most. She doesn't tell him know because she is afraid he will bite. The other kid won't put up with his shenanigans whether or not he chomps her.

He loves to be petted and stroked all over and will hold up his wings so that we can get to soft downy parts.

He loves to play hide and go seek, but he is very bad at it because he giggles the whole time.

He loves to play peek-a-boo. He says peek-a-boo, but truly nothing is cuter than when he whispers it.

Yes, our guy is headstrong, willing to throw tantrums, sometimes bites, doesn't like any of my friends, won't let me go to the bathroom in peace, belches everytime he sees someone pour/drink a soda, chases the cats, and yells at the neighbors, but we love him for those qualities. He is our special little beastie. We also love him for the cuddles and kisses, the way he will walk around the house until he finds you and then mountain climb up your pants, the way he potties on command, and swings from the curtains.

[Alan]

Dawnsfall he sounds like a great bird with tons of different qualities mixed into one bird.

[kellywess]

Downfall... yours sounds a lot like mine. Almost everybody with Severes say pretty much the same things about them. Yes, they are tyrants. I refer to my Marvin as my "Little Green Gremlin." They are very moody and have a "Jekyl and Hyde" type personality. However, if they choose "you" as their person, you have a devoted, beaky adoring companion.

Mine prefers me to my husband and wants nothing to do with my husband when I am in eye shot of her, however like yours will take my husband if I am not accessible.

Being able to read body language is important with these little birds even though it doesn't always help. They express themselves very much with their beaks and they have a call that can peel the paint off of the walls. Severes are certainly not for the inexperienced bird handler.

They do and will bite. Even and most oftenly the ones they love.

Marvin too loves to play peek a boo, she loves to have blankets thrown over her and be asked "Wheres Marvin" however there is no way I have ever been able to put a harness over her without a huge fight. When we go to the vets office she is horrible a true drama queen.

She is the "alert/call" bird in my flock and lets me know when the mailman is in the court and when the children are outside. She speaks when she wants to and only when she wants to. She hums and dances and likes to flip herself over on her back in my hand and bites me when she has had enough so I will flip her back over.

I truly do not think I would ever get another one (knowing what I know now about their unpredictiable personalities), however Marvin has my heart and I cherish her everyday for the moody, adorable little vixen she is. She greets me every morning with a "hello" as I uncover her cage and has her beak waiting in between the bars for a kiss once the covers are off.

[Lisa0718]

I too have a severe macaw, this is my second one. My first one was very sick and died, he was only two years old. He was the love of my life. I now have one that is 13 months old, her name is Angel. She is definitely the Dr Jeckel and Mr Hyde personality. She will purr and cuddle me and then for no other reason than somebody is coming to near me she will bite hard. I still have a sore spot on my neck from her biting me. I wouldn't trade her for the world. Actually we are getting another one from Texas next Friday, my husband wants one for himself, since Angel will only go to me. I swore I would only have one but I would take a flock of them now. They love unconditionally....

[kellywess]

Originally Posted by Lisa0718

I too have a severe macaw, this is my second one. My first one was very sick and died, he was only two years old. He was the love of my life. I now have one that is 13 months old, her name is Angel. She is definitely the Dr Jeckel and Mr Hyde personality. She will purr and cuddle me and then for no other reason than somebody is coming to near me she will bite hard. I still have a sore spot on my neck from her biting me. I wouldn't trade her for the world. Actually we are getting another one from Texas next Friday, my husband wants one for himself, since Angel will only go to me. I swore I would only have one but I would take a flock of them now. They love unconditionally....

Were you the person here in Virginia Beach not too long ago? You met my husband at Animal Jungle?

[Alan]

Where in Texas. My babies are coming from Texas as well. Just waiting on her to wean which i ain't sure if she is going to do or not cause she ain't even trying to look at her food bowl. lol

[r2rusmc]

I just spent 10 days babysitting a severe. He was a little macaw with a big macaw attitude.

His nickname is "Gator Boy" and it fits him well.

Sweet at one moment and then turn around and go for the bite. Unpredictable in my very limited experience.

[LovelySydney]

Thanks for all the posts guys, definitely useful information.

[Alan]

Yes great information for those of us either thinking about one or just waiting till they are ready to come home.