2006-08-30 10:56:09 · 14 answers · asked by stevie n 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
a blue and gold macaw
2006-08-30 11:51:05 · update #1
It depends on the species. Macaws nedd large cages with room to move around. Lots of toys to keep them stimulated and their minds sharp. A bored bird will scream, pluck, bite and destroy in an attempt to get attention.
They need attention on a regular basis, and a schedule helps if you work and the bird must be alone for part of the day. High quality foods are a must, including fresh fruits and veggies, some nuts, pellets and yes a little seed.
You must be prepared to deal with behavior problems eventually, even the best bird has them sometimes. Macaws are very loud and very vocal, especially in the morning and evening, so they are not suited to apartment life. Full spectrum lights are a very good idea, but not necessary if you can place a playgym near a sunny window where the bird can spend a few hours a day.
Macaws are great companion birds, but not for the inexperienced owner. These birds are large and strong, and if you cannot properly train them they will become dangerous.
If you are thinking about getting a macaw, take a good look at your house and your lifestyle. Macaws are high maintenence birds as far as mess and room goes. If you have young kids running from room to room screaming half the day, or dogs barking at everything that passes, cats prowling and jumping on the furniture and you are gone more than at home, a macaw is probably going to be a poor choice for you. True some can and do adapt to such things, but most do not. That means in 6 months to a year when the novelty of owning a macaw wears off and the reality sets in, chances are that bird will end up confined to a cage and a miserable existance, or worse end up passed from owner to owner picking up new bad habits no one wants to deal with.
If you already have a macaw, start doing reasearch right away. The more you know the better you are prepared for the inevitable problems.
2006-08-30 11:09:15 · answer #1 · answered by Gale C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of these answers are right on the money. Read them all. Do some research, learn about the species and follow all of these suggestions as well as going to all the suggested links.
They require a load of work and a load of time. Most people will get a Macaw and then over time curtail the attention they give their bird. This simply shouldn't happen. By training your bird how to survive with you by teaching him manners, your relationship with your bird has a better shot at being a longer and better one.
But it's up to you to train the little guy to behave in a way where both of you will be happy.
Your first job:
Learn what he needs to eat in order to be healthy.
Make sure his cage is large enough to acomodate him. Macaws are very active.
Learn positive reinforcement training. This is essential in ensuring that your relationship will be a positive one.
Learn everything you can. This is not something that is an option if yo want a happy and healthy life with your bird.
If your bird is happy, you'll be happy and I can guarantee that if you have an unhappy bird, your life will be miserable.
2006-09-06 08:41:49 · answer #2 · answered by Phoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have one of the largest of the macaw family. II have had him for 6 years. I spend alot of time with my bird. He is potty trained and he sleeps on top of my door all night. I let my bird out as much as i can during the day, mostly they need love. Toys r good, they love shiny things. Like everbody has said a very very big responsibility they are like a baby and can act like a child in their terrible twos. Be prepared for destruction, they are chewers, and be prepared 2 find sitter for when you are gone. But a really loved bird is the happiest, i love my bird and i have commited my life to him because i had 2 have a macaw. I will spend my life taking full responsibility of him. I spend meals with him just spending those few minutes during those times can make a birdy happy!!
2006-08-30 13:42:40 · answer #3 · answered by thesunnshynne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Macaws are very intelligent and very active, and can get bored quickly, so get them toys. Also, play with them often, and maybe make stuff for them to be challenged, like maybe some toy with food in it. They like to have to think. Also, they need food and water so they can stay alive, and they need a big cage.
2006-08-30 10:59:26 · answer #4 · answered by beagleowner2 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Toys, food, water and lots of attention. My biggest expense is the toys, so I do make a lot of them myself. Every bird is different, My bird loves wood and the birdy bagels, but despises bells and plastic beads. If I'm out of the house for more then 2 hours I leave on a music channel. Anything under a 1000 degrees and shes cold (just kidding) so she does have a heater, and I'm looking into the electrical heat perch.
2006-08-30 16:35:31 · answer #5 · answered by Amy S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They need to have a lot of space, different things to chew on constantly, your companionship, a variety of fruits and vegetables, plus a vitamin fortified pelleted diet, and clean water everyday. They are beautiful birds but can be very difficult to handle. I have a white-capped pionus. They are a smaller and easier to manage bird.
2006-08-30 11:04:08 · answer #6 · answered by Rhianna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lots of toys toys and more toys! to keep them busy. but make sure the toys that you buy are very durable because macaws have very very strong beaks!
2006-08-30 12:26:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I get my toys from busybird.com They have great foot toys and toy parts. They are really nice and have birds too! A happy bird is a busy bird!
2006-08-30 14:25:38 · answer #8 · answered by mia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of room, toys to play with, stuff to chew up plenty of clean water, fresh fruit and lots of attention.
2006-09-03 11:32:02 · answer #9 · answered by flower wanda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a very large cage, a good seed mix, fresh fruits and veggies, and plenty of toys. And most importantly, time outside the cage.
2006-08-31 03:00:38 · answer #10 · answered by cantrellpets 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋