Blog entry by Audra Krauss
These birds are easily trained and are not aggressive. They are best handled frequently and can imitate spoken words.
Macaws consume a diet consisting of pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and seeds. They also require a few wooden perches to climb and chew.
Macaws may develop a dominant streak, especially when first entering a new home. A veterinarian and avian behaviorist should be sought out to avoid this.
Training
Macaws are intelligent birds who thrive when handled regularly, given enrichment and exercise, along with regular attention. They love playing, exploring their environment and manipulating objects. They will also enjoy being "skritched" or cuddled when they are at ease with their companion.
Macaws that aren't properly handled may become territorial, aggressive or destructive. Boredom can lead to feather picking which is a form of self-mutilation. To combat boredom, provide an array of toys with textures as well as various perches. To avoid damage to feathers caused by boredom, use toys that simulate preening. Consult a qualified avian behaviourist and/or vet if these behaviors occur.
Young macaws raised by hand are well-adjusted to new environments and are trained. They should be introduced to a variety of people, cars trips visit to the hospital household visitors and other pets (including cats and dogs) and other birds as early as they can. These birds are easily imprinted and require consistent handling from an early age to avoid developing one person bonds. If this happens, the parrots will often scream for attention and then begin to bite. Discipline, leadership and patience are the key to changing these behaviours.
As adults, larger macaws like the Blue & Gold, Scarlet, Military and Paisley hyacinth macaw for sale, are more likely to develop behavioral issues. Hormonal imbalances can trigger depression and aggression. If left unattended these issues can develop into serious health problems for the parrot, and a difficult situation for the owner.
Mini macaws tend to be easier to train than their larger counterparts. They can learn basic commands, tricks, and words. However, they don't bond as readily with their owners, and will not often snuggle or cuddle up to them. To establish a bond you should spend time each day with your pet outside of their cage. talk to them in a soothing tone to get them accustomed to your voice. Once you have a relationship, you can teach them to take off your finger and learn how to interact with other birds in a safe environment.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
Macaws are intelligent social birds that require interaction with their humans. They are prone to depression and boredom if not given enough daily playtime with their people. If not properly managed an anxious macaw could self-mutilate, removing its feathers, which can be extremely dangerous.
Early socialization and training is essential to avoid these issues. Macaws should be taken care of regularly to strengthen the relationship between them and their owners as well as improve their general health, and allow for an easy examination of the body to detect any injuries or anomalies. Macaws can also be destructive, so owners must provide their birds with plenty of toys that are strong enough to keep them away from wood furniture and other items that are tempting in the home.
Trim the nails regularly. This helps in handling the bird, and the nails are less likely to be caught on toys and cages. The shorter nails also helps to keep them clean and healthy.
Macaws require a huge cage to allow them to fly and exercise. A minimum cage size of 3 feet wide, 2.5 feet deep and 6 feet high is recommended. These large birds must be capable of spreading their wings in flight. They also need enough space to climb, perch, and toys.
Offering your macaw a variety of foraging chewable rope, chewable wood toys and puzzles that are easy to take apart and mechanical toys is an excellent way to provide daily enrichment. Physical enrichment can be provided by providing a variety of branches for your macaw. They can climb on them and hide inside them.
If your macaw is acting strangely, is gasping for air, or is fluffed-up and lethargic, it could be trying lay an egg. The eggs can put pressure on the nerves that control the legs, causing self-mutilation and paralysis. If you notice this behavior you should contact your veterinarian or an animal emergency clinic.
Feeding
Macaws are omnivores and will enjoy fruits and vegetables in their diet. They can also eat pellets, nuts and commercial parrot food.
It is essential to provide them a variety of foods each day to ensure that their diet remains well-balanced. The tiny birds consume less than their larger counterparts, meaning that owners will not have to make as many trips to the pet store. This can save them some money, which is always welcome!
The Hahn's Macaw is a great talker, with a loud and short-lived call they use to find other members of their flock. They also make loud contact calls which can be disturbing and they may call their owner when they feel nervous or afraid.
A good suggestion is to get your hyacinth macaw parrots for sale used to being touched at an early age, especially between the head and under the wings. They love to be loved and are awed by attention! To keep your bird well, you must conduct annual health checks. This is the time to check for parasites, fecal tests and other health issues for avian species.
If you're thinking of getting a macaw you will require an enclosure of at least 36" by 24" by 24". This will allow your macaw to spread out and fly around. They must be able to work out their natural energy to be healthy and happy.
The cage should be well-ventilated and include a variety of perches to give the bird choices. Macaws will not get overwhelmed or stressed when they have a means to let their energy flow. These birds are very active in the wild and require to be able to let go of their energy when they are at home.
A big problem with these tiny birds is the hormones of adolescence. As they start to mature and become more mature, they can behave like a teenager and become very irritable and demanding. This can be difficult for the new owners of a parrot as they are learning to live with their bird. The best thing to do is to be patient and encourage them to maintain their positive behavior.
Health
Macaws are friendly birds that are fond of playing and bonding with their owners. They are intelligent and have the ability to speak well. They can be a great companion for 45 to 50 years. They can be noisy and difficult to handle if they are not socialized from a young age. Training and lots of handling are essential to keeping this animal happy and a great pet for families.
Hahn's mini macaws are a excellent way to experience the same fun and excitement as larger macaws, but in a smaller size. They are affectionate, and are a joy to cuddle. However, they do not bite or nip as often as larger Macaws. They are very active little acrobats, but can be calm and quiet as well. They are a good option for those looking to get macaws but don't have the space needed for larger birds.
The chestnut-fronted macaw can also be known as the severe macaw and is among the largest mini macaw breeds. It is green with patches of blue and red on the wings. The head is covered with the chestnut-brown color with black feathers over its eyes. Chestnut-fronted Macaws are known to be aggressive during puberty. This can lead to issues in captivity. This bird is a good learner and can be a good responder to handling.
In general, macaws aren't territorial, but they may become aggressive when their environment is stressful and crowded. If this happens, it is advised to put the bird in a more private area until they settle down. A veterinarian can provide your bird a thorough physical exam to determine the health of their ears, eyes and lungs, heart, and coelom. A stool sample can also be done to check for parasites.
The macaw in your cage will need to be wormed on a regular basis So make sure you have a wormer, such as Worm-Away available from Birdsville. It is also important to change the water in the cage every day and ensure it is filled with sufficient fresh air. Keep the cage away from direct sunlight as it could cause the parrot to get sick.