Blog entry by Ariel Glaspie
They are easily trained and are not aggressive. They are best handled regularly and mimic spoken words.
Macaws are fed pellets fresh fruits and vegetables and seeds. They also need a few wood perches for climbing and chewing.
Macaws are prone to developing dominant streaks when they first move into an unfamiliar environment. A veterinarian and an avian behaviorist should be sought out to prevent this.
Training
Macaws are extremely intelligent birds and they thrive with regular handling, enrichment, attention and the opportunity to exercise. They enjoy playing, exploring their environment and manipulating objects. They also love being "skritched", or cuddled when they feel comfortable with the person.
Macaws that are not handled in a manner that is appropriate can become territorial, aggressive or destructive. If they are bored, they may also turn to feather picking as a way of self-mutilation. To avoid boredom, offer lots of toys with textures and numerous perches. Utilizing toys that simulate preening will also help stop the destruction of feathers caused by boredom. Contact a certified avian behaviorist and/or vet if these behaviors occur.
Macaws that are young and hand-raised are able to adapt to new environments and training. They should be exposed to a variety of people, cars trips visits to hospitals, household visitors, other pets (including cats and dogs) and other birds as soon as they can. These birds are easily imprinted and need consistent handling from an early age to avoid creating one-person bonds. When this happens, these parrots are likely to scream for attention and may begin to bite. Discipline, leadership, patience, hooding (covering the head), and sense of ritual are crucial in modifying these behaviors.
As adults, larger macaws, such as the Leia blue macaw and red macaw & Gold, Ziggy Our Scarlet Macaw, Military and Hyacinth, are more likely to experience behavioral problems. Hormonal imbalances can cause anxiety and depression. These issues can lead to serious health problems and create a difficult situation for both the pet owner and the parrot.
Mini macaws tend to be more docile than their larger counterparts. They are able to learn basic commands, tricks, and words. They do not, however, be as close to their owners. They will rarely cuddle with them or kiss. Spend several hours a day with your bird outside of its cage and use a soothing voice to help them get used to it. Once a bond is built, you can teach them to hop onto your finger and learn to interact with other people in a safe environment.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
Macaws are intelligent social birds that require interaction with humans. They are prone to depression and boredom if not given enough daily time with their family members. A macaw who is depressed may self-mutilate, pulling out its feathers. This can be a risk.
To prevent these problems early socialization and education is essential. It is also recommended that a macaw be regularly handled to strengthen its relationship with its owner, encourage general health, and allow for an easy examination of the bird's body for any injuries or unusualities. Macaws can also be destructive, which is why owners must provide their birds with plenty of toys that are durable to keep them from furniture made of wood and other tempting items around the house.
Regularly trim the macaw's nail. This makes it easier to handle the bird, and the nails are less likely to get caught on cages or toys. Keeping the nails short also helps to keep them clean and healthy.
Macaws need a large 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 suggested. These large birds need to be able to spread their wings when in flight. They also need enough space to climb, perch and toys.
Offering your macaw a variety of foraging, chewable wood and rope toys, puzzles that can be taken apart and mechanical toys is an excellent way to give your pet daily stimulation. Giving a variety of branches for your macaws to climb on and hide in is an additional method to give your pet physical stimulation.
If your macaw is acting oddly and is breathing through its mouth or gasping for air, or is acting sloppy and unresponsive, it could be trying to lay an egg. The eggs could put pressure on nerves that control the legs, causing paralysis and self-mutilation. If you notice this behaviour, please contact your veterinarian or animal emergency clinic.
Feeding
Macaws are omnivores and will enjoy fruits and vegetables in their diet. They also enjoy eating nuts, pellets and commercial parrot food.
They will need to be fed various meals every day to ensure that their diets are balanced. Small birds consume less food than their larger counterparts, so their owners won't have to go to as many pet stores. This can save them some money which is always appreciated!
The Hahn's macaw is an excellent speaker, with a loud and short-lived call they use to locate other members of their family. They also make loud contact calls that can be piercing and they will call to their owner when they feel nervous or worried.
It is a good idea to introduce your macaw to being touched all over from a young age, particularly behind the head and beneath the wings. They love being touched and love being pampered! Annual examinations are a must to ensure that your bird is healthy. This is the best time to check for parasites, fecal tests and other avian health issues.
If you are thinking of getting macaws, you'll need to have an enclosure that is at minimum 36" by 24" x 24." This will give your macaw space to fly around and stretch out into. To stay healthy and happy, they have to be able exercise their natural energy.
The cage should have several perches and be well ventilated to provide the bird with options. The macaw will not become bored or stressed in the absence of a way to release their energy. These tiny birds are extremely active in the wild, and they must be able to release their energy when they are at home.
Adolescent hormones pose a major issue for these tiny birds. As they grow older, they will act like teenagers and become extremely irritable and demanding. It can be difficult for owners of parrots to learn how to manage a bird. The best option is to encourage positive behavior and be patient.
Health
Macaws are sociable birds that enjoy playing and bonding with their owners. They are intelligent and learn to talk well. They can be a wonderful companion for 45 to 50 years. They can be very nippy and difficult to handle if not socialized from a young age. Training and a lot of handling are the keys to keep this species content and a wonderful pet for the family.
Hahn's miniature macaws provide all of the fun and enjoyment of large macaws but in a smaller. They are affectionate, and love to cuddle. However, they do not bite or nip as often as larger Macaws. They are extremely active Acrobats, but they can also be peaceful and calm as well. They are a great option for those looking to get a Ziggy Our Scarlet Macaw but don't have the space to house a larger bird.
The chestnut-fronted macaw keycaps, also known as a severe macaw is one of the most affluent breeds of mini macaws. It is green with patches of Leia blue macaw and red macaw and red on the wings. The head has a chestnut brown patch with lines of black feathers over the eyes. Chestnut-fronted Macaws can be aggressive during puberty. This can lead to issues in captivity. This bird is a good learner and responds well to handling.
Macaws aren't known to be territorial, however they can become aggressive when their environment becomes too overcrowded or stressful. If this happens, it is advised to put the macaw in a more isolated room until they calm down. A vet can perform a complete physical examination on your bird to examine their eyes, ears and heart. A stool sample can be taken to determine the presence of parasites.
The macaw in your cage will need to be wormed on a regular basis Make sure you have a wormer such as Worm-Away available from Birdsville. You should also change the water in the cage every day and ensure it is filled with enough fresh air. Keep the cage away from direct sunlight as the heat can overheat the bird and cause illness.