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From: thomason@cgl.ucsf.edu (John Thomason)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: INDOOR Re: Pet Macaw Questions
Message-ID: <18590@cgl.ucsf.EDU>
Date: 1 May 91 18:08:16 GMT
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>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.  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.
>
So far the respones about your inquiry to purchasing a macaw has only been
related to the "Large" macaws (Hyacinths, Scarlets, etc.). While these are all
very special birds another group of Macaws has not been discussed, the
miniature macaws. These include the Noble, Yellow Collar, and Severe Macaw (also
sometimes referred to as the Red Wing Macaw). The Severe is the largest of this
group (10-11 inch body length, 10-11 inch tail length) and the Nobel is the
smallest (~6 inch body length, ~same for tail). The Yellow collar is just a
little bit smaller than the Severe.

There are several advantages to the samller Macaws. Primarily, everything about
them is smaller, cage size, feeding, play area. This is important if you like
to take your bird places with you. We have a 1-year old Severe. We take "Zola"
on trips with us when we go to see the family. She can easily, and comfortably,
travel in a small travel cage that fits under the seat of an airplane. This is
important because I would not trust Baggage handlers to take care of her at
all. A large Macaw needs more care and room when you travel and is a little
more difficult to prepare for.

Also, because they are not as well known, the minature hand raised babies are
often less expensive than the large ones. Severes, at least in the bay area,
run $850-$1000, nobels run $450-600. While price may not be a factor for you,
you may want to consider your experience with birds versus price. Experience
counts for a lot in keeping a bird healthy and knowing when it is sick. Birds
do not show illness well. And often times when they do it may be to late to
save them.  I hate to put a monetary value on a pets life, because they are
invaluble. However, if you are stretching to get a large and/or your experience
with them limited you may not want to spend as much and opt for a smaller bird.

As for personalities, I think the miniatures have every bit as much as the
large ones. They can become bonded to one person or become a member of the
"Flock" (ie family) depending on how they are raised. They chew, squawk and can
talk just as much as the other macaws. In fact I have read several sources
which say that Severes tend to be the best talkers of the macaw family.
Indications from Zola are that this may prove to be true.

Miniature macaws have not been as popular as the large ones probably because
of their size. The big ones are more showy and command more presence. However,
the small macaws do make just as good a family member as the large ones. I
have heard rumours that the miniatures are the more popular in Europe. Can any
one confirm this or not?

Anyways, I am not putting down the large macaws at all. They are magnificant
birds. But so are the small macaws and they deserve just as much attention.
Depending on where you live it may or may not be hard to find a breeder who
has minature macaws. Look in the back of a BirdTalk magazine and call around.
Whatever bird you decide on make sure you are able to spend some time with it
before you purchase it. When you do get at least, a thirty day "health
certificate" and then take him/her to a REPUTABLE bird vet. I cannot stress
this enough. When we bought Zola, we bought her from a reputable breeder, at
a bird show in San Francisco. We took her to the Vet and everything seemed
to be OK with her. Unfortunately, about three weeks later she became sick and
it turned out she had Pisticossis (sp?). It turned out she probably got it
from the show. Anyways, just be careful when you buy.


Good Luck,

JT