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Easily the most recognizable member of the Parrot family, large Macaws are often the first choice for bird lovers who become interested in owning a large parrot.
Types of popular Macaws
The macaw species commonly seen in the pet trade are large colorful ones from the Ara genus:
Scarlet macaws
:thumb646171915: :thumb637015126:
Blue and gold macaws a.k.a. blue and yellow macaw
:thumb646172428:
Green wing macaws
:thumb403980290:
Military macaws a.k.a. Great green macaw
:thumb646184866: :thumb674079182:
Hyacinth macaws
These larger species range from about 20 inches (military) up to 42 inches (hyacinth) including their long tails.
:thumb598196332: :thumb627936102:
The Macaw Temperament
Macaws are playful and active and they have exuberant personalities to go along with their size. But this also makes them very challenging pets. They require extensive amounts of time outside of their cage, ideally with space to fly, as well as constant mental stimulation. These birds are flock species, and are also very affectionate so they require a good deal of time and attention from their owners or another bird to be happy. Living with a macaw is not unlike to having a special needs toddler, or a large breed dog. You need to be vigilant and always on call for your big feathered friend. Macaws that are not regularly handled, have hormonal imbalances, experience drastic environmental changes, or receive inadequate mental stimulation often become aggressive, territorial, destructive, and problematic. A well-cared for macaw that received appropriate nutrition, mental stimulation and enrichment, attention, and space makes a unique, long-lived companion that is very affectionate and loyal.
:thumb625721039: :thumb668424181: :thumb706117835:
SQUAAAAK! Macaw Speech
No getting around it - Macaws are LOUD and noisy. Their vocalizations can be more than some people can tolerate and they will scream when they want to. They do have the ability to learn words and mimic our speech but it is not as clear as some other pet bird species. If you, your family and your neighbors aren't prepared to embrace the noise, then a macaw is not your ideal living companion.
:thumb458336784: :thumb445585347: :thumb65094092:
Housing for Macaws
Macaw enclosures need to be large and durable, so be prepared to make a significant investment. Owners often spend amounts equal the price of their bird on its living quarters. The larger macaws we focus on in this article need a cage of at least 36"x48"x60". The cage must be strong enough to withstand the significant beak strength of macaws therefore a stainless steel cage is a good investment. Any macaw cage is meant to keep your bird temporarily contained and safe (usually just at night or when you are not home), not for them to live their lives out of. Macaws need much more room than a cage will provide in order to explore, spread their wings, and be mentally and physically healthy. All species of macaws need very large enclosures to stretch, and ideally, fly. Unless you have a free-flight aviary enclosure as a "cage" you must plan on your macaw spending more time outside of their cage than in it.
:thumb644518837: :thumb347365386:
Playthings for Macaws
A wide variety of wooden toys or plain, untreated chunks of wood to chew on should be provided on a rotating basis to a macaw. Toys meant to be taken apart to get at a treat are also a good choice, as are hanging toys and playpens to climb on. Macaws can be messy and destructive so heavy-duty toys should always be provided so your bird won't find something else to chew on. Many owners opt to build their own macaw toys and utilize recyclable, yet safe, materials such as phone books and tissue boxes. The intelligent macaw is capable of learning tricks like “waving hello” and "stick em up" turning around on command. Advanced tricks include skating/skateboarding, dropping a ball through a hoop and riding on your shoulder as you bike through your neighborhood. Work slowly, in short sessions, and offer your bird plenty of praise and treats along the way. Trick training your macaw is an excellent way to bond with it while providing that essential mental stimulation.
:thumb522435759:
Feeding a Macaw
Vets agree that a pelleted food should be the basis for a macaw's diet, supplemented with a range of healthy fresh foods (grains, fruits, vegetables, etc.). Pellets should make up 25-50 percent of the diet, seeds should be no more than 10 percent of the diet (as they are too high in fat), and the rest of the diet should be fresh produce and other healthy foods. Many people will offer their macaws a small portion of whatever they are eating, and this is fine as long as it does not include any chocolate, caffeine, salt, or refined sugar. Favorite items include cooked pasta, apple sauce, and cereal. Nuts should be reserved as a treat (or bribe!). A diet of fatty food or one of exclusively nuts and seeds leads to overall poor health.
Links and Credits
Websites about macaws:
Macaws overview - lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/…
Macaws - 8 Things you should know - www.petcha.com/macaws-8-things…
Handling a macaw - avalonaviary.com/large-macaws.…
Harness Training a macaw - www.sevenparrots.com/OurPerson…
Videos about pet macaws:
Scarlet and Green Wing Macaws holding hands - www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtzybn…
Macaws taking a shower - www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdXmjp…
Q & A series from a macaw owner -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahUS5k…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUGm3I…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUl29J…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILayZ6…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOyoEV…
Comic relief - Macaw noise www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKTzp-…
Special thanks to all the DA members who shared their gorgeous photos and artwork that made this article possible!
Easily the most recognizable member of the Parrot family, large Macaws are often the first choice for bird lovers who become interested in owning a large parrot.
Types of popular Macaws
The macaw species commonly seen in the pet trade are large colorful ones from the Ara genus:
Scarlet macaws
:thumb646171915: :thumb637015126:
Blue and gold macaws a.k.a. blue and yellow macaw
:thumb646172428:
Green wing macaws
:thumb403980290:
Military macaws a.k.a. Great green macaw
:thumb646184866: :thumb674079182:
Hyacinth macaws
These larger species range from about 20 inches (military) up to 42 inches (hyacinth) including their long tails.
:thumb598196332: :thumb627936102:
The Macaw Temperament
Macaws are playful and active and they have exuberant personalities to go along with their size. But this also makes them very challenging pets. They require extensive amounts of time outside of their cage, ideally with space to fly, as well as constant mental stimulation. These birds are flock species, and are also very affectionate so they require a good deal of time and attention from their owners or another bird to be happy. Living with a macaw is not unlike to having a special needs toddler, or a large breed dog. You need to be vigilant and always on call for your big feathered friend. Macaws that are not regularly handled, have hormonal imbalances, experience drastic environmental changes, or receive inadequate mental stimulation often become aggressive, territorial, destructive, and problematic. A well-cared for macaw that received appropriate nutrition, mental stimulation and enrichment, attention, and space makes a unique, long-lived companion that is very affectionate and loyal.
:thumb625721039: :thumb668424181: :thumb706117835:
SQUAAAAK! Macaw Speech
No getting around it - Macaws are LOUD and noisy. Their vocalizations can be more than some people can tolerate and they will scream when they want to. They do have the ability to learn words and mimic our speech but it is not as clear as some other pet bird species. If you, your family and your neighbors aren't prepared to embrace the noise, then a macaw is not your ideal living companion.
:thumb458336784: :thumb445585347: :thumb65094092:
Housing for Macaws
Macaw enclosures need to be large and durable, so be prepared to make a significant investment. Owners often spend amounts equal the price of their bird on its living quarters. The larger macaws we focus on in this article need a cage of at least 36"x48"x60". The cage must be strong enough to withstand the significant beak strength of macaws therefore a stainless steel cage is a good investment. Any macaw cage is meant to keep your bird temporarily contained and safe (usually just at night or when you are not home), not for them to live their lives out of. Macaws need much more room than a cage will provide in order to explore, spread their wings, and be mentally and physically healthy. All species of macaws need very large enclosures to stretch, and ideally, fly. Unless you have a free-flight aviary enclosure as a "cage" you must plan on your macaw spending more time outside of their cage than in it.
:thumb644518837: :thumb347365386:
Playthings for Macaws
A wide variety of wooden toys or plain, untreated chunks of wood to chew on should be provided on a rotating basis to a macaw. Toys meant to be taken apart to get at a treat are also a good choice, as are hanging toys and playpens to climb on. Macaws can be messy and destructive so heavy-duty toys should always be provided so your bird won't find something else to chew on. Many owners opt to build their own macaw toys and utilize recyclable, yet safe, materials such as phone books and tissue boxes. The intelligent macaw is capable of learning tricks like “waving hello” and "stick em up" turning around on command. Advanced tricks include skating/skateboarding, dropping a ball through a hoop and riding on your shoulder as you bike through your neighborhood. Work slowly, in short sessions, and offer your bird plenty of praise and treats along the way. Trick training your macaw is an excellent way to bond with it while providing that essential mental stimulation.
:thumb522435759:
Feeding a Macaw
Vets agree that a pelleted food should be the basis for a macaw's diet, supplemented with a range of healthy fresh foods (grains, fruits, vegetables, etc.). Pellets should make up 25-50 percent of the diet, seeds should be no more than 10 percent of the diet (as they are too high in fat), and the rest of the diet should be fresh produce and other healthy foods. Many people will offer their macaws a small portion of whatever they are eating, and this is fine as long as it does not include any chocolate, caffeine, salt, or refined sugar. Favorite items include cooked pasta, apple sauce, and cereal. Nuts should be reserved as a treat (or bribe!). A diet of fatty food or one of exclusively nuts and seeds leads to overall poor health.
Links and Credits
Websites about macaws:
Macaws overview - lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/…
Macaws - 8 Things you should know - www.petcha.com/macaws-8-things…
Handling a macaw - avalonaviary.com/large-macaws.…
Harness Training a macaw - www.sevenparrots.com/OurPerson…
Videos about pet macaws:
Scarlet and Green Wing Macaws holding hands - www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtzybn…
Macaws taking a shower - www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdXmjp…
Q & A series from a macaw owner -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahUS5k…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUGm3I…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUl29J…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILayZ6…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOyoEV…
Comic relief - Macaw noise www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKTzp-…
Special thanks to all the DA members who shared their gorgeous photos and artwork that made this article possible!
Adding Your Birds to Our Flock is Easy, Here's How
:thumb591452661: :thumb209977380: :thumb8333738:
If you aren't sure how to submit your pet bird art and photos, here are directions. Also you ask in the future via comment or note, we will happily link you to this journal :)
:thumb43227802: :thumb78803581:
=====================
0. Join our group! We don't bite. ~cockatielplz (https://www.deviantart.com/cockatielplz) :iconrainbowbudgieplz:
1. Go to our group home page and click 'Gallery'
2. Open the folder that your bird should belong to. If you aren't sure, submit to 'Open Submission Folder.' and we'll get it into the right folder for you.
3. In the upper right hand corner there will be a button which says 'submit to
Fall Bird Feature, pt. 2 - Fabulous Finches!
:bigthumb765525059: :thumb765530248::thumb750960697::thumb744942884::thumb744941666::thumb744818105::thumb744946530::thumb744381115:
The following is the second of a two-part guest blog from Icearstorm (https://www.deviantart.com/icearstorm) ~Icearstorm (https://www.deviantart.com/icearstorm)
You can read Part 1 HERE
:thumb346141426::thumb346141426::thumb346141426::thumb346141426::thumb346141426::thumb346141426:
A self-described Bird Nerd, Icearstorm is a college student majoring in animal science, an artist of birds and fantasy, an amateur photographer and parent to a flock of society finches and a dog.
:thumb618861259::thumb411141720::thumb490270637::thumb743214745::thumb408622956::thumb435081158::thumb69439
Fall Bird Feature, pt. 1 - Fabulous Finches!
:thumb730424407: :thumb389594773: :thumb104767804:
Our Guest Blogger this month is Icearstorm (https://www.deviantart.com/icearstorm) ~Icearstorm (https://www.deviantart.com/icearstorm)
:thumb346087122: :thumb346087122: :thumb346087122: :thumb346087122: :thumb346087122:
A self-described Bird Nerd, Icearstorm is a student majoring in animal science, an artist of birds and fantasy, an amateur photographer and parent to a flock of society finches and a dog.
:thumb680248609: :thumb679908410:
Finches as Pets: Basics
In general, pet finches:
- Are relatively quiet
- Do not tolerate handling
- Should be kept in even numbers
- Are relatively low-maintenance
- Eat seeds, vegetables, and egg (and sometimes live food
Wanted: Your Bird Friends!
:bigthumb755755492:
If you aren't sure how to submit your bird art and photos, here are some easy directions. Also if you ask in the future via comment or note, we will happily link you to this journal :)
:thumb290101741:
=====================
0. Join our group! (We don't bite.)
1. Go to our group home page and click 'Gallery'.
2. Open the folder that your bird should belong to. If you aren't sure, submit to our brand new 'Submission Folder.' and we'll get it into the correct folder for you.
3. In the upper right hand corner there will be a button which says 'submit to this folder' - click on that.
4. Now select your artwork.
5
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Thank you for including my work too !