I received a disturbing phone call tonight from my neighbor. For years she has maintained feeders in her back yard for the wild birds. Suddenly, she has no birds at the feeders. None. 7 days a week, anytime of day, no birds.

She says the only thing that has changed is that I put my macaws outside in an aviary in my backyard (only on weekends) and because they call and scream in the morning and the evening they have scared away all of the local birds from her yard.

The feeders in my front yard are being used and we are not that far apart.
She has apparently discussed this with a number of people including one or more veterinarians who told her it is very possible (probable) that the local birds are not coming anymore because they are afraid of my 2 macaws.

Can any of you with aviaries speak to this issue? Where you have large parrots outside, do the local birds go away?
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I think it's a crock. I have 8 birdfeeders up for songbirds, plus several more for larger birds and squirrels, and they're ALWAYS packed with wild birds and other animals! That's WITH my 4 eldest macaws in the outdoor aviary, doing what macaws do best--vocalizing LOUDLY!

In fact, if anything, we get MORE birds (and squirrels) now than ever. Why? Because the birds have come to associate the macaws with food. The macaws are messy, throwing nuts and fresh food everywhere, and the wild things know that if they wait a little while, the 'caws are gonna throw something yummy outside of the aviary, and into the hungry beaks of the wild ones.

Maybe a hawk has taken up residence?

when i lived out at the family house in the country we were birdless free for over 2 weeks as the hawks realized we were feeding and there would alway s be birds at that backyard.. we dont have anyone with a mccaw or anything like that.. but we quit feeding the wild birds and the hawks disapeared and we ended up with all the little birds again... thats all i can add sorry. and good luck to you..

that doesn't sound right to me. but i don't know any facts on the subject. i think kimba brings up good point, there could be a hawk around that no one but the birds have seen yet.

I don't think it is to do with macaw or loud birds. I have suns and the wild birds are also here. There is a regular bird meeting outside the IRN cage to fetch thrown food. Wild birds can't get near or into the walking aviary where the suns are, but they can be heard. I have think think that a dozen suns are louder than 2 macaws.

During the nice weather the 'Caws are outside everyday. If anything I have more birds and wild critters hanging around waiting for food. The brightly colored toys in the aviary even end up drawing the Hummingbirds right in. They're not bothered by the big ol' noisy birds at all.

It's possible a Hawk may be hampering the wild birds from feeding. I was on the flight path of Red Tail Hawk all summer and it didn't slow down anyone here. Your feeders are being used in your front yard. So left over yummy parrot food is bringing them to your feeder....I think your neighbor better start offering some better food.

While my guys don't go out due to our hawk factor I would agree with everyone else.Its most likely caused by a Redtail taking up residence in your area.Just watch because if he's there he will be checking out your guys and you will see him for sure. Your guys will also notice his presence and most likely alert you to the fact that a predator is in the area .

When I take the birds out, they do their loudest vocalizing. I've never had a problem with the wild birds. In fact, it seems to attract more. Like Kimba asked, could a hawk have taken up residnece?

I created an aviary last summer for 3 macaws, one an older wild caught with a bone crunching screech that you think could break glass. The only thing that changed were the visits from our local police, whom our neighbors had called. The wild birds are as prevalent as ever. They even try to get through the mesh to eat the food the macaws throw all over. I have cardinals, blue jays, finches, sparrows, woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and starlings all over the house - It's the neighbors who don't like the macaws, not the birds.