MACAWS AS COMPANIONS
Part 1: Buying A Pet Macaw

© Copyright 1997, All rights reserved.

By Joanne Abramson
Reprinted from The Pet Bird Report

Pick up any photographic parrot book and it is hard not to stop at a photo of a macaw. They are flamboyant, colorful, and captivating birds. Their personalities are legendary. Because of their great beauty and engaging personalities, they have been kept in captivity for centuries. In fact, in the United States, they were kept by the Pueblo Indians since 1100 A.D. where they prized the Scarlet Macaw.

After months or years of seeing colorful macaws in picture and pet shops, perhaps you have decided to take the plunge and buy one. There are so many species of large macaws. Which one is right for you?

Selection
Choosing you first macaw will be your biggest challenge. With so many beautifully colored birds vying for your attention it can be difficult to decide. Talking with owners of macaws might help, but don't be surprised if they adore the species they have chosen. Each person is likely to try to convince you of his or her own macaws esteemed merits. Your final decision should be based on your lifestyle, the bird's health, and its availability. Cost is always a consideration but realize that if the bird has been raised by the breeder and comes with a health check from an avian veterinarian, the cost will be slightly higher. Over the last ten years the availability of domestic raised birds has finally provided tame, healthy birds for breeding and for pets.

Greenwing Macaw (Ara chloroptera)
Their name is misleading as they are predominantly crimson red with a band of green on the wing. The facial patch is traversed with red feathers which looks like Indian war paint. Not commonly bred in captivity, these extremely intelligent birds are inquisitive about everything. They are exceptionally interactive with people. The Greenwing has only recently become readily available as pets. Wild caught birds were difficult to breed and availability of domestic bred babies has lagged behind the demand. They are the smartest of the large macaws. Because of this, they are prone to mischief. Extremely intelligent birds with an ability to learn quickly. They are extremely socially interactive in a variety of settings. Much larger than either a Blue and Gold or a Scarlet Macaw. Along with the Buffon's and Hyacinths they are the largest of the parrot family. There are two subspecies of this species. One that is as large as a Hyacinth Macaw.

Military Macaw (Ara militaris)
The most underrated of the large macaws. Their personality and ability to talk match the Blue and Golds. Their continuous Christmas colors may be more muted than some of the other family members, but they are none the less still beautiful. Since smuggled birds are still a problem, purchase only closed banded birds. Smaller than the before mentioned macaws. These are a great choice for those interested in a slightly smaller bird. They are docile by nature and not as active as some of the larger macaws. They become fast friends in new locations.

Red Fronted Macaw (Ara rubrogenys)
Comical and attentive these macaws are much smaller than those more commonly seen. They have pleasant voices and a mischievous nature. They enjoy peanuts and corn, both of which are eaten in their native country, Bolivia. One of the mid-range macaws, these two foot long birds are about a foot shorter than their larger family members. What they lose in size, they make up for in personality. Though certainly not as common as Blue and Golds and Scarlets, captive bred birds are usually available.

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)
Nature created a spectacular combination of color in this macaw. They are in the top ten of the worlds most beautiful parrots. Preferring the love of the immediate family over large crowds. They can become real show-offs if introduced to the public life at a young age. The most impressionable of the large macaws, Scarlets are particularly sensitive to mistreatment of any type. They have sometimes been called "nippy," but if raised in a loving environment, allowed daily freedom from their cages and played with, they will match any Blue and Gold. They are highly sensitive to their environment and do poorly if raised in isolation. They can be the most loving and adoring member of the family, but if mistreated when they are raised or teased they can become headstrong and unhappy. There are several variations of the Scarlet; most notably an uncommon variety with emerald green on the wing along with the yellow; and the more common wide patch of yellow. Their declining populations in the wild continues to cause great concern for tropical environmentalists

Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)
The largest of the parrot family with nearly a four foot length and a wingspan that frequently exceeds four feet in width. Recent surveys have shown the current population to be between 2500-3000. Unlike the majority of the macaw family, the Hyacinth is a specialized feeder. In the wild their diet consists of two different types of palm nuts. In captivity they have been successfully fed on a diet of macadamia, Brazil, filbert, walnut, almond, pecan, peanuts and coconuts. Supplemental food such as Zupreem biscuits, fruits and vegetables are also offered. They require a diet high in fat and carbohydrates and low in protein. Because of their specialized feeding habits, as well as their need for large cages to properly house them, the decision to obtain one should be well thought out.

Macaws as Pets
Provided they are given a healthy diet, allowed freedom from their cage and given lots of attention macaws will be life long companions. These birds are so long lived that several dogs and cats will have been born and died in one macaw's lifetime in your home. It is because of this longevity that deciding on a pet macaw should not be taken lightly. This is not the time for impulse buying that you might regret later. Several of our clients commute to work with their birds, where they spend the day with their owners at their second home. This arrangement has bonded the client and the bird strongly together. Others have built large environments where their birds live happily.

While a number of macaw species are now commonly bred in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world, certain species remain difficult to breed and their populations remain low in the wild. The wild populations of Buffon's, Hyacinth and Blue-throated Macaws have severely declined in recent years. In my opinion they are still too rare to be used as pets. I would, however, encourage serious breeders to work with these species.

Closed Banded, Captive Bred Birds
Most captive bred birds are closed banded. Closed banding means the bird has had a bracelet-like steel or aluminum band (with a letter and number code stamped on it) put on its leg. This band's code tells where the bird was bred and has a unique number for that bird. The band is welded shut and can not be put on the bird after it is about two weeks old, depending on the macaw species.

Health
This is the single most important consideration when purchasing your macaw. Anyone selling a macaw should be willing to have their bird checked by an avian veterinarian before you take it home. Included in that exam should be a Complete Blood Count (known as a CBC), cultures of the throat and vent, and a Chlamydia (psittacosis) screen. It takes about two days for the results of these tests to be determined. A signed vet certificate should accompany the bird. If all the tests and the exam reveal no apparent disease you can feel fairly confident about your purchase. As a precaution all new birds should still be quarantined from the rest of your birds for a minimum of 45 days.

Age
The age is less important than the health and temperament of the bird. Buying a young bird does not guarantee tameness and buying an older macaw does not mean the bird will not make a good pet. Macaws are individuals. Macaws will continue to grow until they are about a year and a half old. Baby macaws have dark eyes which lighten as they age, except for Buffon's and Hyacinths which remain dark when they are mature.

Male or Female
The gender is not important for pet purposes. The only reason to desire a certain sex would be to breed or prevent breeding. Some pet owners may desire to get birds that are the same sex as the birds they already have to avoid breeding. With some species them appears to be fewer of one or the other sex. Because of this there is a greater demand from breeders for these rarer birds. From a temperament standpoint I see few differences. There are introverts and extroverts in both sexes. The males are not always larger than the females. This varies more due to their genetic background and the species. Talking ability does not seem to be sex related.

Availability
Birds do not breed like dogs and cats. The clutch size of a macaw varies from two to four eggs with one to three fertile on an average. A particular pair might raise a second clutch one year or skip a year entirely. Having bred macaws for 21 years, we can guess when the birds will go to nest and therefore when we might have babies in the nursery. But this is only a guess. Once you decide what species you want it is best to get on a waiting list to insure you will get the species you want.

Unweaned Birds
There is a common practice of selling unweaned birds. The rational for this is the breeder will sell the bird for less as they do not have to complete the weaning process. Weaning is a very stressful event, for both the macaw and its' new owner. However, in an accomplished breeders hands this is achieved with minimal stress. The birds are not ready for a change in environments when they are being hand fed. They are used to their hand feeders technique and it is impossible for any two people to hand feed the same. The extra cost in buying a weaned bird is worth it. If birds have been properly socialized by raising them in a nurturing environment with other birds and people, they will be well adjusted to their surroundings. Many unweaned birds die horrible deaths with well meaning new owners. As a result, burned crops, infections and stunted birds are commonly seen by avian veterinarians.

Locating a Macaw
There are primarily three ways to acquire a bird; a pet shop, pet owner or directly from the breeder. In addition, your veterinarian might be helpful in providing information on available birds.

Buying from a breeder
For most of us the first step towards acquiring a new bird will be in a phone conversation with its present owner. The oft quipped remark in aviculture is "buy only from reputable breeders." It is usually safer to get your new acquisition directly from the breeder. They will know the history of the bird, the genetic background, temperament, diet, and can frequently offer a selection of birds. Some breeders might even include sexing the birds and health checks as part of the purchase price. Though there are certainly unscrupulous breeders, most honestly want their birds in a good home.

Buying from a pet owner
Single birds in family homes my become available that might be the perfect bird by posing little or no biosecurity risk to your facility, though sometimes these single birds have become too bonded to humans to be breeders and in a few cases psychotic. Signs to watch for are that the bird walks in place (from being kept in too small a cage) or screams excessively. Some of those birds might adjust to a breeding environment if given a new mate and ample time to adjust. Most pet birds will do fine in their new home with knowledgeable owners once they have time to adjust.

Buying from a pet shop
Recently more pet shops have specialized in birds. They might offer several advantages to the interested buyer. For instance, the bird, cages and feed would be available in a one-stop location requiring a minimum of driving around. Pet stores potentially can offer a variety of species for you to choose from. The disadvantage is that they might not have several birds of the same species for you to see, might not be able to provide information on the former owner, or might not have knowledgeable personnel to answer your questions.

Veterinarian referrals
We have found some of our birds through our veterinarian. Long term pets can become available that your veterinarian may have been seeing for several years and your veterinarian might have several years of medical information on this bird from annual exams.

The birds history
The more information you can find out about the bird's lifestyle before you get them the better. How are they housed, inside or outside? What temperature range are they used to? What is their diet? Knowing their favorite foods might make their adjustment to your home less stressful. Are they able to fly? This will have an affect on how you position the perches. Learn as much about their feather condition, personality and previous medical history as possible.

Find out what other types of birds are on the premises. This will help you assess the risk factor of bringing in this new bird. When did the seller last get a new bird? This is also important. If they are not following a strict quarantine of new arrivals, the bird you wish to purchase might have been exposed to this new bird.

What does the purchase price include? Will the owner have an avian veterinarian check the bird? What will that include? Suggested protocol would be a complete physical exam, blood work, cultures of the vent and throat, and chlamydia screen. Different species might require different tests be done. Who will pay for that exam? Will the owner include written information about the bird? What is the return policy? These things all need to be discussed prior to your purchase.

Cost of the bird
Just like with other commodities the cost is based on rarity. If the bird is uncommon in captivity or in the wild, you can expect to pay a higher price. If the bird is bred frequently in captivity, the cost will normally reflect this. If the seller has done all the veterinarian checks, sex determination and weaning you can expect to pay more. This is beneficial to the buyer who otherwise would have to do it himself As many people have found out a higher cost does not guarantee a healthy bird.

Portions of this article are from the book "The Large Macaws: Their Care, Breeding, and Conservation."