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From: robertm@hpgrla.gr.hp.com (Robert Moss)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Pet Macaw Questions
Message-ID: <1970001@hpgrla.gr.hp.com>
Date: 25 Apr 91 20:23:22 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Greeley, CO
Lines: 38


  I am thinking about getting a macaw and am interested on any feedback from
other macaw owners.  I plan on getting a baby, but I am not sure whether
I should go for a 5 week old, or a 3 month old (partialy weaned) bird.  Some
breaders think one imprints better on the younger birds, others will only
sell weaned birds (they seem to care more about their health).  I have limited
my search down to 4 varieties, but need help in pruning my list.

    Hyacinth:    +Mellow,+Intelligent,+Puppy dog like temperment,
                 -Price
    Green Wing   +Mellow,+Intelligent,-Easily frightened,
                 -Needs lots of attention
    Scarlet      -Nippy with strangers,-Family oriented bird,-Noisey,
                 -Susceptible to personality problems,
                 -Needs lots & lots & lots of attention
    Blue & Gold  Reference with which above +,-'s compared to

  I think the Scarlet's have too many disadvantages to remain on the list, but
am welcome to suggestions (some breeders say a hand feed macaw is a handfed
macaw, when it comes to temperment).

I am looking at the bird as a lifetime pet.  So my decision will not be taken
lightly.  I would like to have a bird that is intelligent, but can bear life
in its cage while unsupervised (while I am at work and at night).  I can
probably spend a good 1/2 hour in the mornings and an hour of so in the
evenings with the bird (though it will likely be out of its cage for the entire
evening).  I also would like the bird to be personable and friendly (including
towards strangers).  From what I've heard about them, I would go for the
Hyacinth if they didn't cost $7000.  So what do you netters think.

Also, I am questioning cage sizes.  Some cage manufacturers sell 24" x 36" 
macaw cages, while others say 36" x 48" is required to keep the tail feathers
in good shape.  The median is on the order of 28" x 44".  So what is the real
scoop (I know bigger is better, but what is a realistic size).

-------------
Robert Moss
robertm@hpggrl.HP.COM