[red13413]

I'm looking into possibly getting a macaw but would like know more about them. Is there anyone out there who has macaw and/or parrot knowledge and wouldn't mind me picking their brain a little (or a lot) Thanks. Karen

[Opmoochler]

We have owned 3 Yellow-nape Amazon parrots in the past. One we raised from a baby;the other two we rescued. Well cared for parrots have a very long life span, so at our ages, we felt it would be irresponsible to continue having parrots. I know someone in TV who has a Macaw, but I don't think he's on this site. Boarding parrots can be a challenge, and they are very needy, noisy and messy. Take a deep breath and do A LOT of research before you commit to any type of parrot.

[NotGolfer]

ALSO....they live for a very long time. Be prepared for that and what would become of the bird(s) when you've passed away.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by red13413

I'm looking into possibly getting a macaw but would like know more about them. Is there anyone out there who has macaw and/or parrot knowledge and wouldn't mind me picking their brain a little (or a lot) Thanks. Karen

Please be considerate of your neighbors. The idiot who lives behind us believes all his neighbors must love his screeching parrot, which used to spend long periods of time outside on the lanai. Although Im happy to say it has been curtailed somewhat recently, and the parrot owner is currently trying to sell his house. I surmise that the new neighbors who just moved into the new house directly beside his didn't enjoy the bird noises either.

[Bonny]

I had a double yellow amazon for 26 years. Unfortunately she had a stroke a few years back and passed away.
They are a very long commitment. They can be very noisy & messy.
My baby only loved me, hated everyone else.
Hard to find someone to watch them as they can be intimidating and not always friendly.
Please do a lot of research and make sure you are ready for that kind of a commitment.
I loved my baby, but now I'm too old to get another large bird that may live 40 years.
If you decide to get one, Mark Seymour, who is a popular entertainer in the Villages raises birds. He has a lot of babies, many different kinds. You would definitely want to get a baby.

[Brad-tv]

Macaws a great birds we have a hand fed baby that's been with us about seven or eight years they do make a lot of noise they need a lot of attention and sometimes they become a one person bird meaning only one member in the family can handle them and they tend to bite the other members and they also Poop all over the place
In the villages with houses so close to each other it might not be the ideal pet as someone posted before they are very annoying to those around you
That being said I still love my bird

[red13413]

Are all parrots really noisy? I have read other bird friendly websites that say even though the macaw can be loud they also can be retrained to be quiet, too. They said that the bird responds to the noise level in the house. If the house is quiet then the bird will be quiet. It also said that they will screech when they want attention... what do you all think? I was thinking about getting a rescue because of the age factor. I am 50...

[Bonny]

For the most part they can be very noisy. Very hard to train a bird to be quiet. That's kind of like telling a cat not to purr.
Some are quieter than others, but you never know.
My bird loved it when the phone rang. She knew I would give her treats so she would be quiet. LOL They are very smart.
Birds can be very temperamental.
A macaw is a very large bird and could be a handful if you are not used to birds of that size. You have to be prepared to handle it.

[manaboutown]

I foolishly bought a Severe Macaw from a fellow. The bird had bitten his girlfriend. It originally liked me but then cleaved to my son. It was so loud at times I believe I lost some hearing as a result.

[CFrance]

Please, please pay attention to what people here are saying. And in your research online, be careful to read between the lines. It's a real commitment, and they must be constantly socialized or they will turn nasty. They are very noisy. There are a couple on a porch on Duval St. in Key West who can be heard all up and down the street. This is a really close community to have such a loud bird. And it is difficult to find boarding, although Park Heights Animal will board them (at their other location), but the space is limited.

If you really want an interactive bird, not too noisy, sweet tempered, and can be trained to talk (if a male), I suggest considering a Cockatiel. Go out to Leesburg Pet Center and talk to them about birds. They have many varieties, all hand-fed/raised.

[red13413]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Please, please pay attention to what people here are saying. And in your research online, be careful to read between the lines. It's a real commitment, and they must be constantly socialized or they will turn nasty. They are very noisy. There are a couple on a porch on Duval St. in Key West who can be heard all up and down the street. This is a really close community to have such a loud bird. And it is difficult to find boarding, although Park Heights Animal will board them (at their other location), but the space is limited.

If you really want an interactive bird, not too noisy, sweet tempered, and can be trained to talk (if a male), I suggest considering a Cockatiel. Go out to Leesburg Pet Center and talk to them about birds. They have many varieties, all hand-fed/raised.

Yes, the more I hear the less attractive this becomes. I will most definitely go to the Pet Center and check them out. Thanks! Karen

[Opmoochler]

Originally Posted by red13413

Are all parrots really noisy? I have read other bird friendly websites that say even though the macaw can be loud they also can be retrained to be quiet, too. They said that the bird responds to the noise level in the house. If the house is quiet then the bird will be quiet. It also said that they will screech when they want attention... what do you all think? I was thinking about getting a rescue because of the age factor. I am 50...

They want attention most of the time you're there because they are very social birds. We would try covering ours to quiet him, but he'd scream even louder! It was like having a toddler having a tantrum. If we let him out to wander around and play with his toys, he'd quiet down. Be prepared to have chair rungs chewed, rugs shredded, and lamp cords severed. You have to parrot-proof for your safety and the bird's. Please understand that he won't be happy confined to his cage like a canary.

[jimbo2012]

I've been breeding birds for many years, a first parrot should not be a macaw, a average size parrot a better choice.

My first choice would be an African Grey

[red13413]

I was looking at the Greys, they are very pretty... I thought about maybe going that route after I heard so many negatives about the macaw. I was looking at the Cockatiels and Cockatoos. I think I'd rather have a Cockatoo than a Cockatiel but am still not sure what I will do, if anything. I'm going to check out the Leesburg Pet Center this afternoon.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by red13413

I was looking at the Greys, they are very pretty... I thought about maybe going that route after I heard so many negatives about the macaw. I was looking at the Cockatiels and Cockatoos. I think I'd rather have a Cockatoo than a Cockatiel but am still not sure what I will do, if anything. I'm going to check out the Leesburg Pet Center this afternoon.

A Cockatoo is definitely one of the noisiest birds. They can be very social and require a lot of attention and they will let you know.
You should go online and look at the traits of these birds.
You also have to realize that you have to be prepared to handle these large birds. They also live a very long time. Many of them average 40 - 50 years.
I had my Amazon 26 years when she had a stroke and passed away. She was about 6 when I got her so she lived 32 years.
They can also be very possessive. My baby hated everyone but me. She was very friendly at first then decided she didn't like anyone else.
Please read up on these birds before making a decision, especially if you have never had a large bird.
I had 2 Cockatiels, one for 10 years and one for 11 years, They are awesome birds