New macaws!

[kiwitheparakeet]

I *think* i might be getting two Hyacinth or Blue and Gold macaws in 3 weeks! I know more about Budgies than Macaws. Can anyone give me some advice on Macaws? If so post below. I need answers for these specific things:

* Diet
* Treats for training
* Health
* Cage sizes
* Biting issues
* " baths?"
* Do Macaws get along with Budgies?
You can also find a website that i can use for training and taming, or the stuff above. I am already going to name them Blu and Jewel, from the new movie Rio

Soon to have Hyacinth or Blue and Gold Macaws

[GlassOnion]

Honestly, google. You can find tons of articles on those if you do a quick search. Also, you are not ready for one if you haven't already done your research months and months ahead.

[sidech]

2 macaws... Really ? Isn't it a little bit too much, too fast?

[liz]

There is a YouTube video with a ringneck named Marnie. In the breakfst video you can see everthing from a cockatiel up to a cockatoo and macaw. They are a flock. Strange, but still a flock.

[Saerphe]

From a budgie to TWO macaws? Yikes! XD

Macaws are LOUD. I've heard of people who got visits from the police because their neighbours thought there was domestic violence going on. Do you live in close proximity to people? You will most definitely want to reconsider if so.

And as you know, macaws are BIG. You don't get a bigger parrot in the pet trade than a hyacinth, or in the world even! Where are you going to keep them? You will more than likely need to replace their cages within their lifetime. Macaws are especially adept at loosening screws and dismantling anything they can get their giant beaks on. Stainless steal is expensive, but will be more likely to last longer than, say, powder coated.

Macaws are hugely destructive. I've heard of them going through a 2 x 4 block of wood in less than a day and still look for more to chew on. They are about as intelligent as a human five year old. They're going to need lots of toys, company and stimulation to be happy. Blue and golds and Hyacinths are said to be some of the more laid-back species of macaw, but they still need lots of play and foraging oppurtunities.

They will also need a much firmer hand in training than budgies will. Hyacinths are supposed to be the gentle giants of macaws, but that doesn't mean that one couldn't break your fingers quite easily. Considering that they can crack open coconuts with that beak... you do NOT want to be on the recieving end of a bite. They are messy. They will throw their food. They will try to eat your food. They will likely have a fit if they're not allowed to try some of your food.

Macaws need a varied diet, with a variety of nuts, fruits and vegetables. You'll need a formulated pellet for large birds. Hyacinths especially need more fat from almonds and the like. And what about vet bills? They'll need a well-bird exam the moment you get them, and they'll need to be quarantined to avoid spreading or catching diseases from other birds in your house. And will you get them microchipped in case they get lost?

Though if you can afford two Hyacinths, I don't think the costs associated with the birds should be much of a concern. I'd be more worried about your experience level. You really don't want to be in over your head, especially with such costly birds. What if you have to rehome them?

I suggest you do TONS more research on a variety of species and reconsider your decision. If you really have your heart set on a macaw, why not look into one of the mini macaws instead? I don't plan on getting any kind of macaw myself, but I did the research anyway. Y'gotta know your stuff!

[kiwitheparakeet]

It turns out I am getting a Blue and Gold Macaw, or a Scarlet Macaw. My birthday is coming up soon, so I am going to use the money on one of the two. Witch do you think would be more friendly?
How long do they need to stay in a cage before I can let them out? There is a cheap cage rental down the street of where I live. they Charge $50 a month for a 5' x 4' x 6' cage.

Blu
Jewel

[liz]

You didn't give much info about yourself. All we know is that you are male and have a parakeet named Kiwi.

What is your location: city state country? Age and marital status would be good. Do others in your home want to go from budgie to macaw?

[Cage Cleaner]

L

[Zanizaila]

I hope you don't mind me asking this, but how old are you?
You seem very young and macaws are a HUGE commitment, any bird is of course, but the bigger the harder. And did you get your budgie, your first bird, just a month ago?
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2357&p=40119#p40119
You're most likely going too fast.

Think about it and learn what you have to know, and wait for at least a year. Parrots live such a long time, one year of preparation is nothing.

* Cage sizes
Many people keep macaws in cages 36-48 inches wide, but that is far, far too small.
Imagine a bird with a wingspan of one meter (40 inches) or more - how is it going to be able to flap and fly in there, and on top of that, have space for lots of toys?
They are very active, intelligent and curious birds, and need lots of stimulation, which means, lots of toys and lots of enrichment.
And since they have huge wingspans, ridiculously long tails and fly for miles every day in the wild, they need every inch you can give them.

I have my one macaw in a cage that measures 8'8" in width, 4'4" in depth, and about 6' in height, and it is the largest I have room for right now, and at the same time the smallest I could put a macaw in with a somewhat good conscience. To have two in there - fine if they have lots of perches (so they can get away from each other more), but still on the verge of being too small.
Here in Sweden where I live there is a law that sais you can't have a cage for a large macaw that is any smaller than 360x180x180 cm (mine is 260x130x180), so I'm in fact breaking that law.

Even if they have time out of their cage several hours a day (2-6 or so), that's still 18-22 hours every day, their entire lives, stuck in a cage that is always going to be too small, no matter how big you make it. So for the sake of the birds, it should at least be big enough to fly in.

* Biting issues
You can't, just can't - be afraid of beaks if you're going to have macaws. They KNOW they are big and they KNOW the power they possess. If you let that scare you, the macaws are going to rule the household, or worse, be isolated in their cage because no one dares to handle them.

* " baths?"
All parrots should get a bath at least once a week.

* Do Macaws get along with Budgies?
Definitely not. One bite from a macaw and no more budgie. My Meyers parrot is several times bigger than a budgie but she has to be constantly supervised when she's outside of her cage, since she loves to land on the macaw cage and he hates small birds.
To have them outside at the same time is out of the question, which is kind of stressful and of course lessens each bird's out-of-cage time.

If you live in the US, you should definitely be able to find a parrot rescue close to you. Spend some time there, interact with the macaws, and look for advice with those who work there and know about the birds. See what they think about how you would fit as a macaw owner.

[liz]

I hope you don't mind me asking this, but how old are you?
You seem very young and macaws are a HUGE commitment, any bird is of course, but the bigger the harder. And did you get your budgie, your first bird, just a month ago?
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2357&p=40119#p40119
You're most likely going too fast.

Think about it and learn what you have to know, and wait for at least a year. Parrots live such a long time, one year of preparation is nothing.

* Cage sizes
Many people keep macaws in cages 36-48 inches wide, but that is far, far too small.
Imagine a bird with a wingspan of one meter (40 inches) or more - how is it going to be able to flab and fly in there, and on top of that, have space for lots of toys?
They are very active, intelligent and curious birds, and need lots of stimulation, which means, lots of toys and lots of enrichment.
And since they have huge wingspans, ridiculously long tails and fly for miles every day in the wild, they need every inch you can give them.

I have my one macaw in a cage that measures 8'8" in width, 4'4" in depth, and about 6' in height, and it is the largest I have room for right now, and at the same time the smallest I could put a macaw in with a somewhat good conscience. To have two in there - fine if they have lots of perches (so they can get away from each other more), but still on the verge of being too small.
Here in Sweden where I live there is a law that sais you can't have a cage for a large macaw that is any smaller than 360x180x180 cm (mine is 260x130x180), so I'm in fact breaking that law.

Even if they have time out of their cage several hours a day (2-6 or so), that's still 18-22 hours every day, their entire lives, stuck in a cage that is always going to be too small, no matter how big you make it. So for the sake of the birds, it should at least be big enough to fly in.

* Biting issues
You can't, just can't - be afraid of beaks if you're going to have macaws. They KNOW they are big and they KNOW the power they possess. If you let that scare you, the macaws are going to rule the household, or worse, be isolated in their cage because no one dares to handle them.

* " baths?"
All parrots should get a bath at least once a week.

* Do Macaws get along with Budgies?
Definitely not. One bite from a macaw and no more budgie. My Meyers parrot is several times bigger than a budgie but she has to be constantly supervised when she's outside of her cage, since she loves to land on the macaw cage and he hates small birds.
To have them outside at the same time is out of the question, which is kind of stressful and of course lessens each bird's out-of-cage time.

If you live in the US, you should definitely be able to find a parrot rescue close to you. Spend some time there, interact with the macaws, and look for advice with those who work there and know about the birds. See what they think about how you would fit as a macaw owner.

That was everything I wanted to say but did not put into words. You did leave out that a macaw could outlive him.