Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!att!cbnewsd!bamford
From: bamford@cbnewsd.att.com (harold.e.bamford)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: INDOOR: Re: Pet Macaw Questions
Message-ID: <1991Apr29.225920.5853@cbnewsd.att.com>
Date: 29 Apr 91 22:59:20 GMT
References: <1970001@hpgrla.gr.hp.com>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 70

In article <1970001@hpgrla.gr.hp.com> robertm@hpgrla.gr.hp.com (Robert Moss) writes:
>
>  I am thinking about getting a macaw and am interested on any feedback from
>other macaw owners.

>    Hyacinth:    +Mellow,+Intelligent,+Puppy dog like temperment,
>                 -Price

One problem with a hyacinthine macaw is that they are so rare that
you are morally obligated to breed the bird.  And once a macaw has
been bred, they usually don't make good pets.  I am sure there are
exceptions but these birds go for around $10K.  Of course, I would
LOVE to have one, but I would be torn when it came time to breed it.

>I am looking at the bird as a lifetime pet.

Good.  Make sure your decendents will be willing to adopt the bird
when you die.  Depending on who you talk to, the life space of a
macaw is 75 to 150 years.

> ...  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).

Greenwings are often the birds that zoos allow to be held by
children as they are very tolerant of strangers.  I have seen B&Gs
that are nice and others that are nippy.  I have also seen a
Hyacinth that was reputed to have put its beak THROUGH a trainers
hand!  These birds have individual personalities; you take a chance
no matter what kind you get.

> ...  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.

We discovered (while weaning our macaw) that a macaw has very few
requirements.  They are:

	1) Food.  People food.  From YOUR plate.  Ideally it should stick
	   to the wall when flung with enthusiasm.  Hard or dry food
	   should mix well with water to make a naseous-looking
	   soup.  Something that sticks to the beak is good if there
	   is a handy head of hair to clean it on, tho' sweaters and
	   couches will do in a pinch.
	2) Toys.  The more expensive and 'destroyable' the better.
	3) Your undivided attention 24 hours a day.

What could be simpler?

Seriously, the biggest problem is giving the bird enough
attention.  Actually macaws are easy to be around (if you have
hearing protection) so giving Pandora attention isn't much of a
problem.

>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).

We have a 48 x 28 cage for Pandora.  It is just about right.  But a
greenwing or a hyacinth would need more.  Seriously consider
stainless steel ($$$$).  I wish Pandora's were SS; cleaning is a
back-breaking, tedious, disgusting job.

Good luck.

-- Harold