Macaw/Cockatoo

[GATO]

Looking for general information on Macaws/Cockatoos from owners who have a lot of experience with these species.

I've had smaller parrots in the past (parakeet, redlored amazon) with no problems but looking to get a larger bird.

Concerrning Cockatoos, I've heard they can change drastically from how they act as a baby (in the store the babies are sooo tame). Is this true and is it just a matter of not spending enough time with them? Do they go thru hormone changes at a certain age? What is the time commitment to these type of birds? A lot of stories out there how these birds can be very tempermental and scream a lot.

Same questions for macaws, are they better behaved than Cockatoos? Do they too change as from how they act like babies (i.e. go from tame to mean)? Do they get attached to one person? What is their time commitment?

I'm thinking of skipping the pet stores and buying a bird that needs rehoming from a private party so I'm looking for unbiased info here from experienced owners. I'm usually skeptical of what owners tell you as they are just trying to make the sale.

Thnks!

[pennyandrocky]

yes cockatoos need constant attention or they scream, bite, and self mutilate that's why so many are in rescues. they are the top surrendered bird usually around the time they reach maturity because they do change. I love my but I stay home all day so I have the time to give her attention and she's free to fly around the house all day. the downsides to my cockatoo are she's destroyed walls, her flock call can be heard 2 blocks away earning me some dirty looks from neighbors, I have scars on my hands and one she recently gave my face and she's messy her favorite game is the pellet toss while i'm sweeping or vacuuming. the good things are she's very funny doing goofy dances, hopping around the couch, making weird noises, blows kisses, says funny things and she's very cuddly her favorite place being my lap watching tv while I scratch her head. I would still adopt her knowing all I know now and we've let the rescue know that we are willing to foster or even adopt another if one is in need of a home.

[Cedardave]

Ah..a topic close to my heart.Our Muluccan cockatoo is about 15 years old.He is a bird we rescued and was treated poorly by the owners prior to his previous owners.Yes we are his 3 rd and final owner.He may be the exception to the rule.He loves to chew his natural wood perched but really nothing else.He also loves to cuddle.He will sit next to members of the family and just relish in being close.In that way he is similar to a cat .He will sit for hours.That being said...its not all perfect.He will without fail scream when he is put to bed after his cuddle.Occassionally screams just because he feels like it.The reward of his companionship is well worth thebnoise.I should be upfront and add that we are breeders.We do not however breed cockatoos.So the second part of the question was on macaws.Our .military macaw..who is a pet only,also lets you know when she wants attention.In our case I couldnt really say one is louder than the other.To me the differance is really in the pitch. If your looking for the bird that is ideal for you its often a matter of love at first sight....with the research always coming first.I dont think either way you will find a low maintenance bird.You are getting a companion that will be a perpatual 4 year old child for its entire life.You will share the joyus timesband the tantrums....best of luck

[GATO]

So which requires more attention, macaws or cockatoos?

How often do they scream every day?

Do tame birds of this type ever just lash out and bite for no reason?

I've heard that some go thru a mating rictual a few times a year and start acting aggressive.

[pennyandrocky]

cockatoos need more attention than any other bird. they get hormonal around breeding season which means more screaming, chewing and aggressive behavior. once you learn body language you can avoid bites but you have to be prepared for getting bit it's not if it's when your bird will bite. I have scars on my hands and just got one on my face from mya being hormonal I know it's going to happen by the way she acts she might be extra bouncy or shaky that's how I know to walk away from her.
screaming can be different from one day to the next depends on what they are screaming about right now mya's screaming because she can't see me. she also screams while i'm cooking some how she thinks that will make her dinner appear in her dish faster.
birds are wild animals they are not domesticated they can be trained but I wouldn't call them tamed. the most important thing about having a cockatoo is keep them busy every waking minute with flight, play,training and foraging. just curious how much time do you have for a bird?

[GATO]

I consider myself an active pet owner. For the parrots in the past I spent a lot of time with them, probably more than most owners. But I never had a cockatoo.

On average, how many hours a day is required to keep these birds "satisified"?

[pennyandrocky]

on average I spend at least 6 hours or more one on one time per day. she's cage free the 12 hours she's awake so if she's not flying around playing with her toys or eating she's sitting with me and following me around while I do housework. the only time I get a real break from her is when my boyfriend has the day off from work then she becomes daddy's girl.

[Rebellious]

I have lots of experience with cockatoos, I currently own a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo.
They are just really neat birds, can be very affectionate, are quite smart, and for the most part a joy to have. Rebel gets along with my boyfriend well, and my little nieces and nephews.
The downsides to owning cockatoos are their powder, their noise, commitment, and their messiness. They produce so much powder, your lap will turn white after a cuddle session with one. They are also (you've probably heard) veryveryvery noisy. Rebel is one of the quieter 'toos, but still can produce quite a scream! Of course they can live to be 80 so...and they're messy like every parrot.
I don't have as much experience with macaws, but I hear they are just as sweet and just as demanding as a cockatoo.

[greenfeathers]

I thought I'd toss in my two cents since there hasn't been as much said from the macaw side of experience.

I have a 32 year old Blue and Gold macaw. His name is Picasso

He is loud. He is messy. He is naughty. He is destructive. He is sometimes rude. He needs lots of attention, and lots of room. I shell out thousands of dollars on things to make him happy... toys that he can completely destroy in a couple days, fancy food which he mostly throws on the floor, huge cage, outdoor aviary... stands, perches, vet visits, whatever.

My goodness, he is a chore. But I love him.

Regarding temperament, I can't say if he has changed very much from when he was a baby because I got him when he was 27. I CAN say that he was quite a mean, aggressive bird when I got him, and since I've had him he has gotten a very sweet and cuddly side. He says sweet things to me, gives me kisses, and always wants to cuddle and regurgitate for me. I think it's probably more of a handling issue than a hormone issue regarding behavior. He is only nice for me, though. Anyone else comes near him and he will become aggressive.

Time commitment - as much as possible. Picasso ALWAYS wants to be with me, and will call for me constantly if I have him shut in his cage. Unfortunately, I work in the daytime 2-4 days a week. Leaving such an intelligent, active animal in his cage all day always made me feel miserably guilty. I invested in a 10x5 outdoor aviary in a sheltered patio area, which is where he can spend the afternoon in the summertime if I am "busy" (passively watched over by other members of the family, of course). I also made sure that his cage is far more enormous than most people would say he "needed." That way I can feel content that he has tons of room to move, climb, stretch, flap, and play in the safety of his cage on those days that the weather is bad, or during the winter. I ALWAYS make sure that he spends some time outside of his cage every day, anywhere from 1-8 hours. He likes to sit on his playstand and "help" me cook or eat or read or do things on the computer.

Temperamental and screaming a lot? You betcha. If a stranger drives in, Picasso will scream. If there is company over and noise/excitement in the house, Picasso will scream. When my boyfriend is around, Picasso will scream (very jealous). If he feels ignored or neglected or confused or frustrated or happy or whatever... he will scream. And he is loud. When it's just him and me, however, he practically never screams - it's all cute conversation and sweetness. But when he DOES scream, he is LOUD. Your ears will hurt. You can hear him a mile away. I'm glad I don't have neighbors, because they might complain.

He's quite a beast. But he's MY beast. And he'll keep on being my beast forever.

[jacou1010]

I have a Camelot Macaw. I've had him for 7 months and he is about 15 months old. He is really, really sweet. I find that he acts more like a young child than a bird! He HATES being in a cage so he spends all his time outside of it! I leave the door open so he can climb in and out as he wishes. We have a stand and play gym upstairs that he spends the day on. He can be loud but is pretty quiet when we are around. Macaws will call out to you when you are out sight though. Making sure you're still around. He is talking a little too! We taught him "hello" and he says that over and over. We trained him to say "hello" when he wants us instead of screaming. I would say ONLY get a Macaw if you have ALOT of time to spend with him/her. They are definitely NOT a bird that can sit in it's cage all day and entertain itself. Macaw are VERY intelligent birds and need constant stimulation to prevent boredom. Boredom causes behavioral problems! A HAPPY bird is a good natured bird! Hope that is of some help!