Macaws a good first time pet?

Question

I have been reading about Macaws and i heard that they are really good, energetic, and loving bird. I have more than enough time to spend with them, and if i might not be there my family will definitely play with Him/Her.

I was looking into the Blue and Gold Macaws as they are great with people and are a life partner.

Is it a good first time bird? What if you read books and have someone who could help you train it, then could it be a good first time bird?

Thanks

Answer 1

I suggest that you read the Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot and see if you can handle the behavioral training:

http://www.parrotworldusa.com/gutowebepa...

That is the book that breeders usually suggest to new large-bird owners or those thinking about getting large birds.  It's VERY good.

And then, there is the Complete Macaw Owner's Manual:

http://www.parrotworldusa.com/coowmam.ht...

That will get you up to date on the specific diet requirements of Macaws, since their diet differs from that of other parrots.

I have wanted a Blue & Gold Macaw for 10 years, and I was told when I bought my very first bird (a BH Caique) that I could not get one because they were very "high maintenance."  Turns out, 7 years later, here I am, still wanting a B&G Macaw.  (I am finally buying one, though! I get him next year, this time.) So honestly, I think that if you want a B&G, go for it.  After you read a lot about them, of course, NEVER go into parrot ownership blindly.  

Anyways, my point is..  If you're 100% sure that a Macaw is the type of parrot you want yourself to end up with, and you know all about their flaws, possible behavioral problems, diet, taxonomy, etc. and you still think that you would enjoy a Macaw as a companion, and you think that you have the time & dedication to devote to him in the event some problem does come up, then sure.

Also, how old are you? If you haven't gone to college yet but plan to.. Plan for that.  You'll be working a part time job at least to pay for your own bills as well as supporting your parrot and going to school full time. (You have to go to school FULL time in order for you to get student loans & continue getting student loans each year)

ALSO, if you could go to a rescue and spend some time with a Macaw or birds in general, that'd be even more beneficial. No one can explain what it's like to live with a parrot, you have to kind of find out for yourself. Which is concerning for someone who lacks that knowledge and is considering buying something that they'll spend the next 80 years with.

Answer 2

Hi ya!  I  have five macaws,  Three blue and golds a scarlet macaw and a greenwing.  They do take a lot of time and your energy,  Buy yourself a baby frrom a breeder.  They wre much easier to train.  if I were to start over Id get an african grey.,  I have a lot of birds.  My most loving is my african grey..  He is the sweetest bird ever . And a very good talker., He picks up stuff very easy.

Answer 3

definatley not if you do not know what to expect with a bird i have budgies and recently got a macaw my budgies made alot of noise and the macaw is worse he sounds like a foghorn and the droppings wow you would never of seen the sight  

Answer 4

IF you are willing to put forth time and energy on this bird then yes. But if you dont train this bird right...they will become screamers and they have one the loudest screams ever and also that large beak they have was meant to crack open coconuts so I would be careful not to make it mad or threatened. So be sure to buy a hand reared bird so you dont get bit. They are very large birds and that means that they need a very large cage. They have good talking ability ad high inteligence. They are also prone to feather plucking if bored. Remember to put this bird in your will because they can live 60+ years some have been known to live well over 100. Be sure you know what you are getting yourself into because its like having a 3 year old kid for the rest of your life....are you sure you can take care of a bird that has the needs of a 3 year old child when you get to old age? like when you turn 70 years old or 80? Think this out well....if you decide to get the parrot it will be an experiance you will never forget.

Answer 5

Sorry,but no Macaws are not the birds to have for first time bird owner's.

These Exotic birds we buy and keep are nothing like dogs that are Domestic, as too may think they are.Then they get in over their heads and the poor bird suffers because it is being a bird with all the wild in stints as those birds flying free in the wild.

Correct diet for each avian species is a must do. Teaching good behavior's early is another must do. Knowing about avian health issues/problems, knowing birds in stints tell them to hide sickness, least they become prey or the flock ( you as a owner) leaves them.

Learning your birds body language is important so you can better understand the bird, know when something isn't quite right and to prevent a nasty bite, or know he is scared of something or someone.

Big or small, Macaws are all the big Macaw in personality and behavior's. Macaws screams are Very loud, so will neighbor's complain, can you and your family live with the loud yells and screams.

Macaws need very large cages and should have a large bird stand to be out on hours a day, they must be fed lot's of walnuts and other nuts in the shell daily, in other words after you pay for the bird the expensives don't end there. Toys are an absolute must have, lots of toys and large toys for playing with and distroying, they are big wood chewer's.

Budgie's, Cockatiels,Conures are smaller, less expensive birds while being fun birds to start with.

Blue and Gold's are like puppies until about age seven, after than they begin to settle down.

Do some searchs for Macaws and other species of exotic birds.

Learn all you can learn reading online and then ask questions from local bird store's, Not pet stores, they don't know about exotic birds.

Go to this site, when you get on the site type in Macaw. Book Mark the site, it's a good one to keep.

http://www.birdsnways.com/