Blue throated Macaws?

[kahawia]

I am starting to volunteer at the zoo soon! I am going to be working with the Blue throated Macaws and some red fronted every weekend for a year starting August. I am really excited and it's pretty hands on for volunteer, I'll be preparing food, bathing, and cleaning the aviary. I've played with some of the Blue throated Macaws and they seem happy for attention! Just wondering if anyone has experience with Macaw behavior? Any specific things I should do when handling them? Their beaks can be intimidating. I'm 15 and preparing for a job either at a parrot shop or working with parrots at the zoo so any input would be appreciated!

[greymatter]

What a cool experience - I don't know much about Blue throateds, however, and have only handled Macaw babies (under 2 years of age).

If you're prepping for a career at a parrot store (aka your adult job), I'd hesitate and say go full force to the zoo exposure with education.

I literally lived under the poverty level on my own (on & off with roomates) with 2-3 jobs when I worked with parrots in a store environment - retain really does NOT pay well enough to live off of, and I would veer you towards the zoo or labs (if you're really into science). I cried the day I gave my notice that I was leaving (for the office world), but had no choice. Literally living off bread and butter, or frozen veggies and rice is NOT a happy life, despite an awesome job.

If it's just something part time, during school, until you graduate from college/university, sure the pet store is okay for spending money.

Not to deter you from your dreams, the reality of it after living it for 5 years was not pretty outside the work place.

I have gotten back into the parrot world once the past year, and am loving it, but it's just in a different way (Crystal's Bird Toys). I couldn't stay away any longer

[kahawia]

Oh no no! I definitely wouldn't try to pursue a career based around parrots, my parents would kill me and I just don't know enough to even try. When I speak of zoo jobs and parrot shops I mean as a part time job during school.
I've lived in poverty when I was younger after my parents split, we were constantly robbed, it wasn't fun and I want to stay away from that as much as possible. But now everything has been a complete turnaround! I am so fortunate, I am able to live in a wonderful house in the burbs, get a great education, I have wonderful parents a Mom and a Stepfather (who has been my father for most of my life who I couldn't live without) and my parents are able to afford my passion for training and riding horses, dogs, cats, and of course parrots! I reconnected with my Biological father and I am able to visit him every summer in Europe and I just recently got duel citizenship! I am currently taking AP and IB courses and I plan to use my education for (hopefully) a well paying career. Something along the lines of zoology or microbiology. So I am going to continue to appreciate my good fortune and push myself for the best. Thank you for looking out for me. I really appreciate it!

I'm glad you are back to the parrot world, I'm guessing it's something you are passionate about? And I saw some of your toys, they are really cool! The Animal Cracker is my favorite, it is so cute! I will make sure to purchase some toys soon!