Animal Stories - People Talking About Macaws



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Latest Animal Stories on Macaws (475)

Liz - 2011-11-02
We have been the third home for our Shamrock, and will be his last. Camelot truly has a fantastic personality and great attitude. Fantastic talker, has a HUGE vocabulary. I would recommend a shamrock macaw to anyone. He is the light of my life (next to my cockatoo) and I look forward to owning another one in the future. Truly a great mix of each parent macaws traits.

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Charlie Roche - 2011-11-02
So glad you are enjoying.

Ashley - 2010-05-18
I am about to get a severe, well he's already mine I'm just waiting for my friend to come around and give me a ride because his cage is so big I need a larger vehicle to fit it in. He's very comical though, very good talker too, oh by the way his name is Chester. He loves to talk and doesn't need very much time to learn how to pronounce words, I think he's about 23. So hes even older than me haha, he doesn't like boys tho, really I've heard he doesn't like very many people but the last few times I've been going to see him, he won't try to bite me or do the things he does when he gets angry (he bites his foot when someone's too close to him) but when I talk to him he just climbs out of his cage and wants to get real close to my face and pretty much repeat everything I say. It's soo cute!

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alex - 2010-05-28
Oh hi do they talk real good cause I'm going to get one do you think if I buy one that talks already and when I get him do you think he'll still talk thanks please get back.
Dotti - 2010-07-30
Where did you find your Severe Macaw I live in Georgia and don't know how to find this type of Macaw.
Mayda - 2011-10-19
Dotti, my name is Mayda and I live in Tampa, Fl. I'm getting one in the spring when they breed again, the place I'm getting it from, is called Everything birds. Look them up on line and call and ask for Linda, they will take it to you or ship it to you. I would get a baby and hand feed it yourself. You can trust them, they are great.

Claire - 2011-10-09
My Blue and Gold Macaw's beak has become very long and it needs to be trimmed. What causes the growth of the beak? What is used to file down?

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Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2011-10-09
A Blue and Gold Macaw's (Ara ararauna) beak will continue to grow throughout its life (similar to the way our fingernails continuously grow). It is a good idea in general to provide your macaw with a mineral block or lava block (purchased at pet stores) that it can regularly use to keep its beak trim and in shape. However, if it becomes too long and needs to be trimmed, you may want to bring it into a pet store or into your vet to have it trimmed. They will have more experience and will help you trim it. For more information, you can read the general Macaw Care page.

Danny Cookiemunchin Davies - 2011-03-25
Hi we have had our bird for a little over a month now we have recently found out it's not a green amazon like the prev owners said it's a hahns macaw she's starting to pluck her chest feather out we are thinking it's due to stress or no partner so we are looking for either a friend (male) or to breed her she's 2years old and is looking mature from the signals she's showing in the cage I'm from n/wales deeside area so if anyone could help us out please let me know.

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Charlie Roche - 2011-03-30
Feather plucking has to be one of the hardest things to figure out. They say it is normally brought on by stress which can happen during a move. Lots of toys, paper to rip up, rolls of paper to pull down and frequent bathing might help. I had one that plucked and I finally set up a TV by her cage so she could watch cartoons. Each thing helped but nothing I did stopped her from plucking totally - even a mate. I wish you luck and a solution and please let us know how you and your little one do. Many would love to find a solution or assitance with a feather plucking situation. Hopefully it is just the move and more frequent bathing and stuff to shred up and tear apart with some extra attention will do the trick. Two years old is still a young macaw.
Anastasia King - 2011-10-07
Mates tend to make macaws anti-social, so before you go off and mate her, Try to examine her diet, as pellet diets are healthier than seed diets, and many seeds in seed diets tend to be fatty and should only be used as a treat. Also, if she's in molting season, she could just be very itchy( my macaw plucks and tears at her feathers) try giving her a bath, and seeing if that doesn't help.

Linda Deraz - 2011-09-26
Hello I just got a miligold this weekend they say he is 5 weeks old but I can't find any growth pictures for miligolds but a blue and gold growth chart at 5 weeks looks a lot more fuller in the start of pin feathers the way my baby looks he looks like he is 3 weeks old he still looks like a little plucked chicken ( but still love ) just trying to figure out the correct age to many inconsistancys in the age of my bird can someone help me find growth pics please for the miligold to compare...thank you

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Charlie Roche - 2011-09-26
Miligold and Blue and Gold - there should be very little difference between them as far as growth and development. Your Milligold is a high bred between the Blue Gold and a Military and even those two are really about the same size - unless it was a Bolivian Blue Gold and that isn't likely. You can see some photos of the development of the Blue and Gold here, at Aves International. It shows you blue gold at 3 weeks, then at 5 and then 7 and I think 11. They are such fun and so full of curiosity.
Charlie Roche - 2011-09-26
Photos
Linda Deraz - 2011-09-29
Yeah I have seen growth charts on blue and gold and a greenwing I am beginning to think the breeder is wrong on hatch date according to breeder it was 5 weeks old when I got it on Sunday this last week. I can already tell a difference in the body features so far but if he is almost 6 weeks old now I figured there would be more of a difference in him by now unless he is just a slow grower. I personally beleive that he might be a week or 2 younger then they thought it was it only bothers me to make sure that he is getting the proper amount of feedings he is getting I am feeding 3 times a day 35 to 40 ccs each time he eats good and poops good and sleeps good he is also really noticing me and follows me in his box when I am walking around him so he is very observant. I think I am just being a worry mom comes with the territory but I love him so much and just want him to be healthy.
Charlie Roche - 2011-09-29
You can't do anything about whether the breeder got the hatch date screwed up or whether she just didn't want to hand feed. You can do what you need to do to insure health and growth of your baby now. I can't know how old your little one is but I think at that age, it should be on 4 feedings a day. That would be morning, afternooon, dinner and before bed - say 10 pm. That gives him all night to empty out. So you basically feed the baby when the crop is empty plus or minus a half hour or hour. You should be able to 'sorta see' through the crop and see whether he is empty. You can definitely 'feel' when the crop is empty. The formula should be the consistency of ketchup at this stage. Most formulas do not have the higher fat content that is required for macaws. You can add about 1/2 teaspoon of almond butter to the formula for each feeding to raise the fat content. For about a week, I would use pedialyte instead of tap water. The reason I am saying that is your comment about the lack of growth in the week and not knowing his age. Does he look like the pictures you are seeing and the age is just off? There should be some weight to him but we don't know the age so we can't tell the weight but at 6 weeks, he shouldn't look bony in the hips and he should be starting to fill out and feathers prickling through. If he is empty more than 3 times a day - then feed him more than the 3 times a day. We just don't know the age. This will probably only be for a week. The pedialyte will better hydrate him and the almost butter will add a little fat. When the crop is full, it sorta looks full and feels like a wet cotton ball. I found this handfeeding instructions which might help. I can't know as I don't know the age but 35 cc seems a bit low to me but I don't know the weight or age. I think the article from will help you.

Anonymous - 2009-06-30
Hi, my names Kenna and I am thinking of getting a Blue and Gold Macaw. I think it would be fun to have a talking bird.

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Ashleigh - 2010-04-13
Getting a Macaw is far from just having a talking bird. They need a lot of attention and they are very big. I want one, I know , I know, you're probably saying 'How would I know all this if I don't have one?' Well I can answer that, I've been researching them for a long time because I wanted one. Anyway, they cost heaps too. And scream a lot. They need a very big cage and if you will be gone half of the day (or family) then you would need an Avery.
Have you got space at home for a macaw?
Can you afford to look after him, they cost a lot. Sometimes even over $6.000.
I want one very much, but I have put all my information together and realize, I can't. And Birds do mate for life, and humans who love them and spend time with them will become their mate. And if the bird is given up, it can go under depression for losing it's mate. The owner.
So put this all into consideration and research the macaw.
I hope this helps.
Also if a Macaw is to big, try these birds,
Budgie.
Galah.
Canaries.
cockatiel.

Or search for another bird that will suit your lifestyle.
Renee - 2010-06-30
If you have never had a bird before you might want to start out a little smaller and work your way up to a big bird. I have a 14 year old macaw and he is great, he does talk, but he also screams a lot. He naturally calls to his flock a couple of times a day and he also screams to get my attention. He was a rescue that I took him so we are still getting to trust each other. Do your research and good luck on your bird search.
Janine, the bird lady. - 2010-09-20
Kenna,
Macaws live to be about 75 to 80 years old. They need a great deal of love and attention and a caregiver that knows what to feed them and more importantly, what NOT to feed them. The Blue and Gold Macaw is not the most expensive bird to buy but, their yearly vet bills can reach up to $1000.00. Before you make up your mind about becoming a caregiver for one of these wonderful birds please do a great deal of research on their care requirements. Find an avian vet in your area and ask about yearly exams and blood work and the cost of each. Learn about proper feeding, what foods and plants are poison to Macaws (Avocados are VERY poisonous as well as sweets, coffee, sodas too much fats or too many seeds and many other things) cage size (cages for Macaws will cost you no less than $600.00 and up to $2,000.00 or more) Be sure that you can take on this kind of responsibility because having an exotic bird in your life is just like adopting a child. You must be willing to accept that this bird will be a part of your life for as long as you live and that they require as much love, attention and care as a child would.
Terry bong - 2010-09-25
Hello, the blue and gold macaw parrots are the best. I am willing to give out 8 other parrots for adoption maybe if you are interested, I will offer any to you.
alex - 2010-10-11
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clarianne - 2010-11-01
Do you know they attack when you bother them to a point. They chew on furniture, window frames, picture frames anything that has wood made out of. And toys so don't have any kids and don't let them on your shoulder they would try to pick at your face. Not a good thing but a beautiful bird.
maxjude - 2011-09-16
yes i have a male and a female blue and gold macaw they are both 2 years old not and there are for adoption not for sale where are you located and they will also be coming with their cage email me at maxjude77@yahoo.com

Tony - 2011-09-10
Hello,
I have always been interested in a large bird and had an opportunity this week to adopt a rescued bird. I have never owned a bird as a pet and know next to nothing about what they truly need to make this partnership successful. I understand they are extremely intelligent and I want to make sure I start things on the right foot. Long story short, I am a public safety worker and came across a situation where an elderly citizen was unable to care for dozens of animals stashed throughout the tiny home and the family asked for assistance in finding new homes. I adopted a Blue & Gold Macaw of unknown age or gender with a large cage and toys. I have read many websites, some with conflicting information, and am looking for some guidance as to where I can learn about behaviors, training, hygiene, and what to expect. It is currently missing all breast feathers, appears to have dry skin, and appeared to be on a diet of Cockatiel seed supplemented with peanuts. It seems to be warming up quickly to my young family and is starting to show a vocabulary. It really seems to appreciate conversation and compliments. I have put it on a diet recommended for parrots and purchased a spray and water additive that is supposed to help with skin and plumage. I live in AZ and would appreciate any assistance or advice available. Thanks!

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Clarice Brough - 2011-09-12
Gosh Tony, what an awesome thing for you and for that lucky bird. Sounds like you're common sense is your best asset, you are doing all the right things! Giving it lots of attention with the whole family, feeding a good parrot diet, and taking care of its dry skin. All of these things will help with the feather plucking and skin problems. It may take a while on the feathers because plucking starts with things like depression, boredom and dry irritated skin, but can then turn into a habit. But with lots of interaction and attention, that can change. On the dry skin, these parrots originate from a very humid habitat, so providing a bath or spraying them with water to keep them hydrated helps... and also help them not to need to "scratch" (pluck). Be sure to vary the diet. Some say feed pelleted foods, its good because it adds all the vitamins and minerals they need, but it can be boring for the bird. They are inclined to want to enjoy their feeding, like cracking shells and hulling seeds, and also eating what they see you eat. So giving them a good parrot mix, and nutritious human foods as well. You'll have a great time... all of you! You rock!

Jeff - 2011-09-12
I have a scarlet macaw that will let you hold him but will start pinching you and twisting and I don't no what to do to brake this.

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Charlie Roche - 2011-09-12
Don't know if this will help but it worked for me. I had 2 Scarlets and raised them from babies and they both would pinch bite. I was told that it is typical for scarlets. Not a bad hurt but if they didn't have my full attention 1000% focused on them - then they would pinch bite. I didn't like it and decided to replace (change) the behavior. They would go to pinch bite and I grabbed their beak with my thumb in between upper and lower beak and would go "no hurt a mama" sorta with a beat. It honestly got to the point where every time they went to pinch bite they would do the figure eight and sorta dance. They actaully stopped pinch biting. They would do the figure 8 and I would pet them and say good or whatever or give them a kiss. One actually would say "No hurt a mama" So I replaced the behavior with a behavior that was acceptable to me. Have no idea if this is OK - just know it worked for me. Good luck - replace a behavior -

Jo - 2011-09-03
I adopted a Macaw KOKO about 3weeks ago from a friend who has had her since birth. She was sweet when I first got her. She has turned a little mean. I know its going to take time for her to get use to her know house but I was wondering if she is stressed out she has lost lots of feathers she is pulling them out and I'm worried don't know what to do. She eats and drinks well but every time she eats if i pet her she regurgates is this normal and her feather loss is this normal what do i do to make her more comforable?

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Jolene - 2009-06-10
I own a Catalina Macaw. I also want to add to my flock, hoping to find a shamrock or a ruby. I think that we should be worried about the endangered macaw species, but I also think there is a definite place for hybrid macaws, just as there is for other mutations in other birds. I love your site and I am always coming back here to look around... Keep up the good work educating people and birds...

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Winter - 2011-08-18
I was so confused about what to buy, but this makes it undersatndalbe.

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Animal Stories - People Talking About Macaws

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