Worvern: I have a question about getting a pet parrot?
Ok I am planning to get a parrot. I am an experienced bird owner. My cocatail (not sure I spelled that right) I gave him to my nephew since he’s crazy about birds. So to replace him I am thinking about a south american macaw. I have heard that it’s best to get a parrot when they are still a baby (give or take) so that way they won’t try to snip your finger off as often. So is their anything I need to know about taking care of a parrot?
Answers and Views:
Answer by Clive
It is a big step from a Cockatiel to a Macaw.
I would say join a good forum and ask there on what you need to research.
Avian Avenue maybe a good place to start. There may even be a dedicated forum for them?
Answer by ksmyaz3
Macaws are quite spectacular, but those beaks can really be dangerous, plus, when they squawk, it’s literally deafening! I personally recommend getting a cockatoo. They are all good-sized, and are, in my opinion, much less threatening looking than macaws. I decided on a Mollucan because they are beautiful, large, very smart, (equal to a 2 year-old human), and also had one more trait that was important- to me, at least. They live on average between 90 to 120 years old! I love my pets so much it’s rough when they die, so I wanted a life-long pal. I got my Antonio 35 years ago, and have enjoyed every moment. Check ’em out!
No, I’m not so sure about that. I mean, it’s great that you have been studying a lot (you did, right?), and its great that you had a cockatiel (yes, the correct spelling is cockatiel) and didn’t just leap from no bird to macaw, but still, it IS too big of a leap. Sure, you have experience to what it’s like to have a bird in the house, but comparing a cockatiel and macaw is too different.
To go from a cockatiel, which is a small parrot, cheap, easy to care for and a beginner bird, to a macaw, which is one of the most advanced birds on the planet, is not a great choice, if you ask me. And this is coming from personal experience. I had a macaw before. And other bigger parrots I had to care for and I am here to say you are not ready. Even I think I will not go through that again, even though its very rewarding. Because, think about it. You are asking for a MACAW here. This is a very large bird that needs hours and hours a day of socialization, conversation and interaction to keep it tame, healthy and happy, and if you can’t meet ITS expectations for you, prepare to hear a lot of screaming, feel biting and lunging. Their vocalizations can nearly make you feel deaf. From what I experienced, there is really NOTHING louder than a macaw at sunrise. They just screech your ears off. It can be controlled, but it can be hard and they will never stop, though, just cut less. Don’t think it’s just like a regular old scream occasionally. They can also bite easily down to the bone and through your finger, and they cost thousands and thousand of dollars, for the bird, cage, supplies, vet bills, not to mention about a $ 100 each month for caring bills. They can live 50+ years under good care, most macaws living to 80-100 years, longer than you. After you die, do you have someone with experience to take good care of it? No to all those things I mentioned? Well, don’t pressure yourself and the bird and don’t get one.
I would suggest getting something easier before you get a macaw. You can first go from cockatiel to something like a Quaker parrot, Senegal, conure, or something like that. They are medium sized, but colorful, with big personalities and are very rewarding and loyal companions too.
I would not suggest moving onto this step so soon, but one of the BEST ways to prepare for a big macaw is to get a mini macaw. If you don’t know what mini macaws are, they are a type of macaw that includes many species such as yellow collared macaws (my personal favorite), Hahn’s macaws, Illigers macaws, severe macaws, and a few others (by the way I still suggest getting something like a conure before getting a mini macaw). But anyway, mini macaws are still macaws, just smaller than the large macaws like blue and golds, green wings, militaries, and scarlets. They are cheaper, a few hundred dollars to a thousand, but not as much as big macaws. They are easier to care for, but still have the personality and the demanding and messy traits of large macaws, so they’re a good prepare for large macaws. They usually live 20-30 years, sometimes over, but shorter than big macaws. They give all the companionship, affection, friendship and mess of a large macaw, but easier to care for.
is a pretty good site and forum that talks about owning bigger birds and the trouble can come with.
Good luck though.
My email is [email protected] if you wanna contact me. I’ve had experience in macaws and larger birds and I would love to help of you’re still interested in getting another bird.
Answer by SkyeI’m with Duckyfuz!Thats too big of a leap. Get a conure or Quaker instead.
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