Some Macaws are as large as one yard long. And tip the scales at over ten pounds. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaw) Macaws are one of the easiest Parrots to train as long as you know what you’re looking for in regards to qualities and attributes of a pet bird. Like most Parrot species you need only watch a Macaw for a short time to realize you are dealing with one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. Macaws are commonly identified by their unique bald patch around their face and their large robust beaks. In the case of the Hyacinth Macaw this beak can crack a coconut.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_Macaw)
Their plumage is majestic in almost every Macaw species. Kings of the world have been known to be adorned with feathers from this bird’s plumage. Reds, gold’s, blues and greens adorn these unique colored birds. Many varieties and choice are available in size and personality traits.
What to look for in a hand raised baby Macaw as a pet.
Domesticated hand raised babies are raised for the pet trade. I recommend that you only acquire birds from this type of source. Any other wild caught birds or birds that are older and never been handled are unacceptable as pets. They will never be capable of being tamed or taught tricks. Also you would be supporting the annihilation of the species. Wild caught birds are just not an option! Beware of birds offered on the market without documentation or leg bands. Leg banding is not mandatory but a good breeder will furnish you with a birth certificate of your bird. This paper work along with your receipt can be used latter to prove ownership of the bird at a later date. Places to acquire baby Macaw are listed on the internet. You should be able to find a reputable breeder by searching the internet. Also call your local pet stores.
Most Macaw species are available. When viewing your new baby begin by looking at their vent. This is the area around the bird’s anal cavity. Make sure it is clean and dry and no feces are clumped or draining from it. Look at the bird’s beak is it true to form no deformations? This is very important and Deformities of this type can plague your bird for life. Make sure the small orifices that are nasal holes are clean and unplugged. Also make sure there is no drainage from them. Look at the bird’s eyes is there any drainage? Are the eyes clear and full of sparkle? This is a good sign. Unfold each wing feeling for proper formation of the bones no distorted or abnormalities like breaks should be present. Run your hand down the breast feeling as you go for a firm and meaty breast bone. Stay away from birds that feel boney and frail. A meaty breast bone is proof that the bird is eating and nourished properly. This can be very important in the adolescence faze of the Macaw. Like humans macaws age accordingly.
Training a Macaw
Macaws go through fazes of baby, toddler, preteen, teenager, puberty, adult and finally elderly. Like humans Macaws respond in the same way that a human does, when reaching each one of these phases in their life. The same emotions and feelings are actively demonstrated by the Macaw. A word of advice on Macaws. I have raised these creatures for over 35 years. Always show respects were respect is due. Never show aggression or bad temperament. A Macaw is a bird that actively studies its environment and its owner. It never fails to amaze me the way that Macaws learn from their owners and their environment. Just when you give up and believe this majestic bird cannot learn what you are attempting to teach it. It shows that not only has it learned what you have thought it and also a few variations of the trick on its own. They are brilliant animals. I once owned a Blue and Gold macaw that I thought to say the word “bad bird”. The bird not only learned that word but put it together in a running sentence with other words to say “shut the hell up bad bird”. This was a pretty amazing feat. It wasn’t so funny however when the local preacher came to dinner and the bird showed how well he had learned from me. Patience is the key when teaching your Macaw.
(http://www.birdtricks.com/macaw.html)
Methods of training a Macaw
Positive reinforcement is the only way that I recommend to train a Macaw. A bird trained with any other method will surely not learn as quick and will likely show signs of aggression to its owner. In a large macaw such as a Green wing Macaw this could mean losing a finger. This is no joke! A grown large species of Macaw can snap an industrial broom handle in half with a bite of its powerful beak. Keep in mind most birds do not bite unless harmed or threatened. They also will bite out of fear. Most birds aim to please you their owner as long as you have established yourself as the leader of the flock. In other words the flock leader or alpha male. The flock leader is king and respected by all members of the flock. The flock leader is the bird that sets the course, example and shows other members of the flock how to do whatever they are doing. This is exactly what you must do to capture the respect and trust of your baby Macaw. Your baby Macaw needs a positive role model and that role model needs to be you. You want your baby Macaw to imprint on you. This very simply means that he or she thinks you to be its daddy or mama. Like all parents your job is to teach the baby Macaw. Teach the macaw like you would teach a three year old.
Repetitiveness and patience is the key. Speak a word you want the bird to repeat. When speaking the word make a positive reaction happen like example. Say “hello” when you say hello give the bird a treat it likes. The bird will begin understanding that the word hello makes something special happen like a treat. This is positive reinforced behavior modification. After about the third word your bird learns it will begin learning the rest quite easily. Never become angry or demonstrate aggression towards the bird. The bird will remember and quite frankly may decide to wait for an opportune moment and deliver you a bite that hurts quite a lot. Or you may cause the bird to fear you. This could set back your teaching a long time. Trust me the positive approach is best.
Housing a Macaw
The cage you house your Macaw in should offer security and safety for both of you. Your Macaw needs room to open its wings and allow enough room to play and explore. The cage should be constructed out of a metal that is lead free preferably iron or brass. The bars should be of ample strength to withstand an assault upon them from your inquisitive bird. Locking mechanisms must be in place and working. The Macaw is a very intelligent bird and can be quite an escape artist. The cage must have a way to access it for cleaning purposes. There must be a place for food and water. Preferably bowls constructed of hard plastic are best. Furnish your Macaw with interesting and many chew toys. A bored Macaw is a destructive Macaw. I once had one that decided my new kitchen cabinets were its new chew toys. He ate $3500 worth of cabinetry before He became bored. I however didn’t quite like the idea. Beware of cages that are wrought iron. These cages are generally much cheaper but are manufactured with lead paint used in there construction. Also the use of lead is common in these types of cages. My recommendation is stay away from them. A good cage is a worthwhile investment. A good company for cages can be found on the internet. There are many choices to choose from. (http://www.birdcages.com/). A large Macaw cage should cost ($300-$1500). These birds are large investments and their supplies to keep them healthy are expensive.
Please whatever you do become educated and visit a few breeders before just buying one of these majestic creatures. Like you and I they require love, patience and most importantly understanding. This article is not intended to be a complete guide. In its form it is to offer the reader a foundation of what to look for and what to expect. The reader should seek as much knowledge on this bird as possible before acquiring a bird. The local library and internet should provide many sources for just such an occasion
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Payment can be sent to:
Jeff Merrow
103 sweet bay ct
Hampstead, NC
28443
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