What is it like owning a Macaw?

[algebraic]

I have two aratinga conures, Loco and Roco... they are lovely and lots of fun, but come with their own challenges. I have wanted a macaw for a very long time now and wanted to get some insider opinion on them. I would be most interested in getting a blue and gold.

I would love to know how they compare to two conures in terms of noise, energy, naughtiness, neediness etc. Right now, my conures are at 100% naughtiness and neediness, lol.

I really love how cuddly my jenday conure is as opposed to my sunny, my sunny is much more independent and "bird like", where as my jenday is super cuddly and sometimes a bit clumsy...

Do you find that having 1 macaw is more work then having multiple small birds or the other way around? Right now, with these two causing chaos in the house, I feel like nothing could be as much work as them!

[dorp]

You're already answering your own question practically here so I'll just push you in the right direction. Don't get a Mackaw! Why would you want a gigantic wild bird inside of your home? T_T

[Shelby]

I know a few people (in person) who have macaws and their birds are gentle, friendly and love to play. I also know some people/businesses who keep them as "trophy pets". I think that it takes a person with lots of previous bird experience to do well with a macaw, but in the right hands they are really amazing companions.

Everything increases with the size of a bird. A large parrot like a macaw needs a huge cage, bigger (and more) toys to chew, etc. They also make bigger messes and louder noises. I've never heard either a conure or a macaw screaming at full volume, though, so I can't say which is loudest.

Are you looking at a macaw right now? I believe kittyhazelton has a B&G macaw.

[Khaiqha]

The macaw at the bird store goes through a 2x4 every few days. Really, comparing conures and macaws would be like comparing chiuauas and rottweilers (I've had both types of dogs). My chiuaua would chew up toys and scratch furniture. My rott would break pieces of the house.

I honestly can't see owning a macaw as anything close to easy. Where would it fly? The average home can barely accomadate their wingspan and long tails. The wind generated by their wings is strong enough to blow valuables off of shelves. Their beakks can break tables, chairs and hands. All the successful macaw owners I know are retired or make their bird their work.

[Tarkus]

The macaw at the bird store goes through a 2x4 every few days. Really, comparing conures and macaws would be like comparing chiuauas and rottweilers (I've had both types of dogs). My chiuaua would chew up toys and scratch furniture. My rott would break pieces of the house.

I honestly can't see owning a macaw as anything close to easy. Where would it fly? The average home can barely accomadate their wingspan and long tails. The wind generated by their wings is strong enough to blow valuables off of shelves. Their beakks can break tables, chairs and hands. All the successful macaw owners I know are retired or make their bird their work.

Yike its not like its Jurassic Park haveing a macaw in the house !

Sure they need a big cage and big toys to chew on but for me one macaw is easier than two, or more, smaller birds. One cage to clean but my macaw makes less mess than a pair of sun conjures I had years ago. Those two could reduce a wood dresser into dust in an afternoon.

Lola can entertain herself for hours, most well trained macaws can and she is as sweet a bird as I've ever had.

As far as noise those two conjures could crank it up with the best of them. They were really cool birds but my macaw is less work than they were.

Be Big,
Alan

[terri]

Hi I own a Catalina Macaw .I had decided to add a larger breed to my flock [I was looking at 2s and Macaws] I read everything I could to try to do things right.You read how things can go wrong if your not aware.I picked out Harlow who was just weaned by her temperment.Let me tell you I was scared to death ! Shes alot bigger than my other birds .But she is the most gentle of my birds.I never dreamed i would have a relationship like this .Shes the most humanlike of them.A true companian bird!As for noise shes loudest when I come home [her macaw call I call it]otherwise shes talkiing to herself .I put her on a realistic schedule [I work] She likes her gym ,cage and me .Yes Macaws eat more and she has a HUGE cage.I Keep up with toys [not that bad to keep her happy.Ive taught her manners like [dont eat the blinds]and go back to her cage.{with praise and treats].Are they more of a mess ? Not really My dogs are the ones making the mess.They can get under her cage and drag things out. My thought is Ithink having other birds [her flock] helps keep them all happy! Im so glad shes here.

[DanielA]

You want a macaw? maybe you should retire of something...

[kittyhazelton]

I have an exceptionally well behaved and here is my experience...
You cannot be fearful around these birds. Chica is pretty gentle but if someone who's nervous tries to approach her she picks up on that and takes advantage of the situation by nipping (fortunately, like I said she's an exceptionally gentle bird, but I have met others who are less so)
She does not spend time inside a cage. Yes she HAS a cage, but it's basically just a place for her stuff. She has a large tree and gets the option to free-roam the house. Of course this in itself requires extra care & vigilance to make sure that she is safe (no toxic plants, keep doors shut, put electronics away when done, etc)
They are BIG birds and need lots of space. I've allowed my birds wings to grow back for flight (previous owner clipped them) & after doing so I honestly would never go back to having her clipped. These birds need a LOT of excersise & flying is a great way to get that since they have to work so hard to fight against gravity. Even just a couple laps a day in the house can make up for a HUGE amount of "playtime" to keep her fit and happy.
They can be LOUD. Even the occasional sound off is enough to make you cringe. my is annoying, but on the rare occastion that my does decide to sound off you better hope your not standing right next to her. NOT a bird for an apartment by any means.
They are destructive... breaking chunks of wood off furniture is nothing to them. I provide lots of sticks, shreddy objects and have to be extra careful that anything I don't want destroyed is left out in an area where she can easily get to. A frustrated bored macaw can also be destructive to itself with tendencies leading to plucking, screaming, and biting if you do not make an effort to meet those needs.
The eat a LOT, the increase in dietary supplies I have to provide has definitely made a difference on my budget. Even with over a dozen other creatures in my house to provide for, meeting the needs of the macaw has made a noticeable difference.
$$$, yes they are VERY expensive. Even with the amount DIY projects I do as far as toy-making, stimulation & enrichment, you do not get a macaw unless you have a steady income. These birds are far pricier and you cannot skimp on things like diet and housing.
As much as I try to promote getting a rescue, with a bird like a macaw you have to be exceptionally careful. These are big, powerful, active birds. Far too often ones that end up in rescue are NOT suitable for first-time large bird owners. I had set out to get mine with a specific temperament in mind, knowing exactly what I could handle and what to expect from the bird. It was not a decision made on a whim and I had met and played with about 1/2 a dozen birds before making the final decision to go with her.
If you are well prepared for the commitment, time, and dedication it takes to care for one of these beautiful creatures, then they can be INCREDIBLY rewarding... however I would not recommend one of these birds to anyone who isn't already well prepared to take one on.

[DanielA]

I have an exceptionally well behaved and here is my experience...
You cannot be fearful around these birds. Chica is pretty gentle but if someone who's nervous tries to approach her she picks up on that and takes advantage of the situation by nipping (fortunately, like I said she's an exceptionally gentle bird, but I have met others who are less so)
She does not spend time inside a cage. Yes she HAS a cage, but it's basically just a place for her stuff. She has a large tree and gets the option to free-roam the house. Of course this in itself requires extra care & vigilance to make sure that she is safe (no toxic plants, keep doors shut, put electronics away when done, etc)
They are BIG birds and need lots of space. I've allowed my birds wings to grow back for flight (previous owner clipped them) & after doing so I honestly would never go back to having her clipped. These birds need a LOT of excersise & flying is a great way to get that since they have to work so hard to fight against gravity. Even just a couple laps a day in the house can make up for a HUGE amount of "playtime" to keep her fit and happy.
They can be LOUD. Even the occasional sound off is enough to make you cringe. my is annoying, but on the rare occastion that my does decide to sound off you better hope your not standing right next to her. NOT a bird for an apartment by any means.
They are destructive... breaking chunks of wood off furniture is nothing to them. I provide lots of sticks, shreddy objects and have to be extra careful that anything I don't want destroyed is left out in an area where she can easily get to. A frustrated bored macaw can also be destructive to itself with tendencies leading to plucking, screaming, and biting if you do not make an effort to meet those needs.
The eat a LOT, the increase in dietary supplies I have to provide has definitely made a difference on my budget. Even with over a dozen other creatures in my house to provide for, meeting the needs of the macaw has made a noticeable difference.
$$$, yes they are VERY expensive. Even with the amount DIY projects I do as far as toy-making, stimulation & enrichment, you do not get a macaw unless you have a steady income. These birds are far pricier and you cannot skimp on things like diet and housing.
As much as I try to promote getting a rescue, with a bird like a macaw you have to be exceptionally careful. These are big, powerful, active birds. Far too often ones that end up in rescue are NOT suitable for first-time large bird owners. I had set out to get mine with a specific temperament in mind, knowing exactly what I could handle and what to expect from the bird. It was not a decision made on a whim and I had met and played with about 1/2 a dozen birds before making the final decision to go with her.
If you are well prepared for the commitment, time, and dedication it takes to care for one of these beautiful creatures, then they can be INCREDIBLY rewarding... however I would not recommend one of these birds to anyone who isn't already well prepared to take one on.

See? Maybe you should Read terry's post on his catalina macaw lola.

[GlassOnion]

I know of and have seen many cases where Macaws mature, become one-person birds and attack family members and even their chosen one. A lady I know around here, she took in a Macaw who loved her so much that in the attempt to *protect* the lady from her husband, the Macaw bit her through her hand.