Blog entry by Malorie Fonseca
Hahn's Macaws are social and sociable birds that thrive off human interaction. If left alone, they may become bored and destructive. They can chew on toys and may even attack animals or other people.
They are intelligent and medium-sized birds. They are quick to respond to instruction and are great talkers.
Characteristics
Easy to train and fun, easily trained and playful, the Darling hahns macaw is a great choice for those who want to experience the joy of a macaw but do not have the space or the budget for larger species like a Bonnie scarlet macaw for sale, blue and gold, or a green-winged macaw. The mini macaws have a friendly and intelligent temperament. Like all birds, they require to be properly taken care of and socialized every day if they are to remain healthy and happy. Macaws are known to nip when they are young, but this behavior will diminish as they grow older and become more social.
Like all parrots the Darling macaw requires plenty of out-of-cage play time each day to exercise and stretch their muscles. They also like learning new tasks, which keeps them mentally stimulated and prevents boredom. The ideal situation is for this bird to be taught by an experienced trainer who is familiar with macaws as well as their habits.
The Darling Hahns Macaw can be found in the tropical forests and savannahs as well as swamps in eastern Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. Their green color helps them blend in with the vegetation of their habitat. Nests are constructed in trees, mostly palms (Carya species). However, they have been known to utilize holes of other species as well. The birds lay between two and five eggs which hatch after 24 days. After about two months, the chicks are weaned.
Like most macaws, the Darling hahns are great talkers in the early age. They are able to learn songs, words, and whistles. They are particularly adept at imitating high-pitched human speech. They also have a distinct call that sounds similar to the sound of caricature laughter.
Darling hahns require a diet of high-quality fruits, seeds, nuts, and other vegetables. The birds are fond of the black-sage berries Cordiaaubletis and paste trees flowers. They will eat anything, but they are fond of avocados, apricots, and mangos. As with other parrots Darling can be susceptible to diarrhea. If the symptoms persist, consult an animal veterinarian.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
Macaws are avid learners, and they are easy to train. They are extremely vocal and can build a large vocabulary at an early age. They can imitate human sounds and even laugh at times. They love to play and should be provided with plenty of toys inside their cage and out. Make sure to rotate the toys regularly to stop your bird from becoming bored. Birds also like to bathe and should be given an unassuming bowl of water to drink from regularly.
They should be physically and mentally active. This can be accomplished by giving them time to fly in an open aviary, or by taking them to regular play sessions. It is possible to teach them how to climb and to use their claws to open doors or latches to go out.
Since they are extremely social creatures they make excellent pets for families with children. If they are properly trained and tamed, they'll be gentle around children. Macaws in the early years will take more nip, but will settle down with age. They are strong enough to cause severe damage, so it's important to stop the bad behavior as soon as it is possible.
As they grow their own feathers, these birds can become angry and territorial. It is similar to a teenager getting agitated with their parents and attempting to drive them away. This is a normal part of the growth process, and can be frustrating to new owners. As they grow into maturity this behavior will lessen and they will once again bond with their owners strongly.
It is crucial to purchase an equivocal Macaw that is bred by a reliable seller. They aren't usually available in traditional pet stores and should be sourced from a breeder who will provide references and details about the condition of their cages and the parent stock. This will ensure that your pet will live a happy and healthy life. Breeders should be able answer any questions you might have about caring for a bird.
Feeding
Hahn's Macaws require lots of attention and interaction. They are intelligent birds who enjoy playing, talking and learn. They must be able to communicate their passion or else they'll be destructive. This is why having a human companion is essential.
In the wild, they are naturally programmed to eat leaves of trees. A home owner should feed them with meals which are high in protein and nutrients. They are advised to eat a mix of fruits, vegetables and pellets. Table scraps can be fed to them so long as they're healthy and aren't fatty or sweet. You can provide them with broccoli and spinach kale as well as chili peppers, apples, and carrots. They are omnivores of nature and can be fed a variety of grains nuts, seeds, and other foods.
These macaws are also very active and will require plenty of space to fly and climb. Providing them with plenty of toys inside their cage as well as outside of their enclosure will help to keep them occupied and happy. They should also be permitted to leave their cage for at least two hours per day, although three or four hours is best. They are susceptible to respiratory infections and self-mutilation if they don't exercise enough.
A Darling Hahns Macaw needs a very clean habitat. The cage should be cleaned on a regular basis and all feces and other waste should be eliminated. The cage should be kept clear of drafts and sources of heat. It is also a good idea to keep the cage in a room that is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Darling hahns Macaws are vocal like other parrots. This is particularly the case at dusk and dawn. They will squawk loudly for short periods of time and will call out to their flock. The squawking will intensify if the bird is unhappy with his surroundings or isn't getting enough attention.
If a pet macaw parrot cost experiences behavioral issues, it's usually due to something missing from their lives. They're not happy in the absence of a partner or aren't getting enough exercise or social interaction and aren't given the proper diet. Many times, these issues can be corrected by making the effort to establish trust and create a positive environment for the macaw.
Training
These birds are highly intelligent and easily capable of being trained. They are also playful and affectionate. However, as with all macaws are, they have a hard time adjusting to a change of environment and require a lot of interaction with their owners. If they aren't given enough attention, they may start to display behavior issues which are difficult to correct.
They require a spacious cage that allows them to move around freely and will do best when kept in pairs as is the normal bird's behavior. To prevent boredom the cage should be stocked with toys that rotate to keep them mentally and physically engaged. These birds love to talk and mimic, and they can be taught a variety of phrases and words. They are also said to have a bigger tongue than other parrots, which may enable them to understand human sounds better.
It is essential to begin the process of training your macaw as early as you can, while it is still young and willing to learn new techniques. It is also crucial to employ positive reinforcement during training sessions to encourage good behaviors and deter bad behaviors. Macaws are extremely protective of themselves and may become scared if they don't feel safe. Learn your macaw’s body language so you can recognize any signs of aggression or fear.
As a pet owner who is new it is essential to begin as early as you can a relationship with a veterinarian who specializes in avian medicine. Regularly checking your macaw cage's health can aid in preventing serious diseases and ailments that could be fatal. An annual check-up should include a fecal check and blood work. Psittacosis vaccines, Avian Bornaviruses and Polyomaviruses are also recommended.
In order to be a healthy, happy pet macaws need to be given 2 hours of play and interaction each day. If you're not able to give your pet the attention they require and deserve, it is recommended to locate a new home for them. Providing your macaw with regular interactions will improve the bond between you and your pet. This will ultimately lead to an improved, healthier and happier animal.