Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!uunet!lll-winken!sun-barr!newstop!male!mongo.EBay.Sun.COM!mongo
From: mongo@mongo.EBay.Sun.COM (Joe Baker X33841)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: INDOOR: Re: Pet Macaw Questions
Keywords: Big Birds
Message-ID: <6680@male.EBay.Sun.COM>
Date: 2 May 91 21:37:18 GMT
Sender: news@male.EBay.Sun.COM
Distribution: na
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
Lines: 65

>(harold.e.bamford) writes:
>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.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Very funny and very true!!

>3) Your undivided attention 24 hours a day.
>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.

I agree. 

Mine is older now ( Gonzo, B&G, 17++, sex unknown, most likely a
"caught bird" that long ago) and has alway been a late sleeper. In
looking for one, one might seriously consider an older bird that needs
a home.

On noise, Gonzo is not a noisy Macaw, only screaches when very scared
(not often in the last 10 years). Mickey (New addition 3 months ago, a
Moluccan Cockatoo, 4 years++, hand raised, female) is much louder in
her daily chatter, mostly due to being taught to whistle when younger.

Soberly consider the impact that these guys have on your lifestyle.
Just your PG@E bill might be a shocker in a cold spell!! I have had to
"white lie" my way into apartments with "just a bird in a cage! About
this big [holding my hands anywhere from 6-8 inches apart].". With
Gonzo this was not a problem because he has never bothered a neighboor,
but Mickey would be the kiss of death at this stage of her life. She is
getting better, after a strong effort of not reinforceing the "Bad"
talk and positive responses to the "Good", and a bit of negative
"Squirts" when sounds from "H-ll" fill the air. They are not dumb and
are very good at training people.

After the last 13 years, I could not tell you what is like to be
without a "big" bird. In honesty, there have been times in the past
when, with very few people around the house, I felt like finding Gonzo
a new home where there were more humans during the day to watch. You
must also consider that many people have a real fear of large birds,
and when a happy Macaw puts her/his beak down on their arm to step on
over and get its neck scrached, they may not be able to hold still,
even though they have been told what to expect and want to play with
the bird.

>>cage sizes.

Ditto with everyone else, big as you can handle. Gonzo has an Avalux,
traditional round and chromed. This is a great cage, about 5 feet high,
but they went out of business and I can not get one for Mickey. If
anyone has one out there, let me know, I will be happy to buy one.

I've been happy with my ol' Parrot, I think he is still pretty happy
with me. The new kid is fitting in well. They are darn fine buddies to
have. 

If you can make the room in your life, just watching a Macaw try to
walk accross the floor to you is worth the price of admission. If I
could just figure out a way to hook a vacum to that tail.....

Best,
Joe