Ok here is the situation. I want a blue throated macaw. I cant seem to find them in MI. First off if anyone knows a place to get them as babies in MI. Please let me know. Second if anyone knows of where to get them at all just weaned let me know. If its in the US and they ship out. Well enless its in MI or OH. I want to be recommended to a place where someone has got a bird before. Mostly because I want to make sure its a trustworthy place. I am planing for a future so this buying a macaw maybe down the road but, I want options and lots of them. I would love to have any websites pertaining to breeders of these macaws or places to get a just weaned one. I also want prices, that doesnt mean you have to know the price of them, just direct me in a place that I can find out myself. If you do happen to know about how much they run let me know. So I can get a good idea of how much to save. I know the perfect cage and the perfect type of macaw, now I just need to figure out where to get the perfect blue throated macaw. I already have one reference, but I want more. Thanks. ~Jenna

Jenna, I speak to you as a voice of reason. Go someplace and spend time with many types of birds before you buy one. See how it feels to be bit, and pooped on. Listen to how loud they can be and then imagine that noise in the confines of your own home. Look at the sanctuaries and shelters and think about the reasons why they are full of birds. There are so many needing homes. Please give this careful consideration and understand the demands of a large bird that lives as long as you do before you buy one. Its almost the same as adopting a baby that will stay a baby for life. Just being the voice of reason here. Gain bird experience before you decide to buy. Then maybe if you still want one you could save a life of a needing bird in a shelter all couped up that needs love.

Leigh has great advice and I definitely agree with spending as much time with a variety of birds as possible. Sometimes you'll click with a certain bird unexpectedly.

It's great that you're doing a lot of research ahead of time, Jenna!

Also keep in mind BT are a handfull and love to take things apart and chew up anything they can get their beaks on (more-so than larger Macs ).

They're wonderful birds if you can put up with all of that and have the time, though!

I would not recommend shipping a new baby ever since even babies know who they like and who they don't. You need to meet the baby in person first. It is also very important to meet adult versions of that cute little baby who is not going to stay cute and baby like for long.

I have been bit by a macaw before and I have a scar from it. I have been around macaws. It is not like I am completely going into this blind. I have difinatley heard the noise that is invovled with one and to me its not a big deal. Our friends blue and gold was a screamer and we still loved that bird. I also understand that I am still young and young enough to have a bird that will live a long time. If I die before it does I already have a plan. This is something not in your information but, I have also seen the damage that large birds can cause to a house and I am very willing to take that chance. 2horse I know I dont really want to ship a baby either. I have thaught about this too but, The only way that I can see me getting a Blue Throated Macaw in the US is by having it shiped enless the bird comes from MI, OH, KY, PN,TN even maybe as far down as FL because then I can just tell my husband we are going to visit my cousins and get my dream bird and he would go for that. But that is all my options. So if one is made available in those states when I am looking for one in a few years then I may meet it and go from there hoping our personalities click. ~Jenna

Oh Sorry PA*

Well Jenna, the best thing I can do is wish you luck. Sometimes a dream bird can turn into a nightmare. What is it that a blue throat can offer you than a tiel cant. I just ask you be honest with yourself, your limits, and your lifestyle. Im not afraid to admit, if I could go back I would not own birds. Great sacrifice has been made to my freedom, and often my sanity trying to deal with screaming, mess, and being tied down by these guys. Do I love them? More than words can say, I sure do. But now I have 4 kids for life. At least human babies grow up and move out. I didnt listen though. When people told me birds scream. I said "I can handle it" That came after spending hours and days on end in a local bird store trying to understand these creatures. I was bit to bleeding, got pooped on, and left with headache, still convinced I could handle it. Things changed when the bird came home with me. I think subliminally, I knew I could walk away from a store and leave the noise and mess behind. Once it came home with me my world went upside down. Now,I realize, you are not me. The only intention I have here is to make sure you know what you are getting into. Have you considered buying your friends bird? At least with an older bird you have a better idea of what you are getting to some extent.

The downside of being a group of people who love our birds is this. It can be viewed as fun, having a pretty bird, we take pics and videos. It looks easy and kinda cool to have a big bird that talks and kisses and makes cool noises. The dark side, is the amount of birds that end up unwanted, just for being a bird. No one gets it until the bird is home with you. Granted, it works out for a lot of people. They have the bird for years, and had the patience to allow this creature to somewhat run the house and their lives all that time and it made them happy. This takes a certain kind of person. And if that person isnt you (in general) thats ok too.

The only thing I ask, is please, take your time with this decision. An be prepared for just how much it will alter your life.

Good luck!

We have considered buying our friends but right now we just cant that is why I want to wait untill I get a job. So I can afford it. Plus right now isnt a good time we are still trying to get the iguana cages done with. we are going to buy the wood this weekend. It finaly struck with some good weather. We were waiting untill the weather broke so we wouldnt be outside building them one day and have snow on them the next and them be ruint. Plus I am not really wanting a lot of birds. Just mainly a blue throated, and some type of small bird. Ok let me start by clearing up something right off when I get a bird, the bird will never have to face being rehomed or unwanted. If this is what you are thinking. You can forget it. I am not like my friend. When times get tough my animals eat first, my animals come first. No matter. Even when times have been a little tight my husband and I will find a way for our animals to be ok. None of my animals will have to face being unwanted or face the idea of a possible rehoming. You said it best they are like kids. I wouldnt give any of them up even if they are a pain. I have a pet right now that is a pain and he aint going anywhere cause I know I can provide for him and I am not sure many others would put up with his crap but, I will because I love him. (Iggy our male Iguana). I see the committment and maybe I am one of those special people who can handle it. I would do anything for any animal if it is possible. I even desided one thing when I get a job. I will be donating money to shelters. I am just that type, have been since I was very little. Got it from my dad. Our iguanas are also a committment. They can live up to 25 years. We got them when they were babies. So I understand the idea of having like a child for a long time. This is something I would be absolutly fine with. You dont have to worry about me getting a bird. I mean that. I am not trying to sound like a broken record but, I can handle it. ~Jenna

Jenna, since one is unable to hear voice inflection in forum, I just want to drive home that I say this all softly from my heart. Yes, I am outspoken. But I say it because I care all the way around. I pass no personal judgment on your ability to care for a bird or intend to suggest you will rehome it. Look at it this way, if I tell you to not speed through an intersection without stopping at the light, it would be to warn you of what could happen right? We all know how that one could turn out. With birds, not everyone knows until they are in it. The expense, sacrifice, mess, blah blah, all I said before. I urge all young people, before you spend on a commitment that will last a lifetime, make a 5 year plan. You gotta do, what ya gotta do, before you can do what ya wanna do! Spend that money on a down payment on a house if you dont own one, buy a mutual fund, invest in your future. Then, when you have no concern over having a job, plan on a big demanding bird that cost a ton to keep. I say this all from a warm place I hope you understand why Im trying to talk you down. Ill get off my soap box now. Sorry to be a mom.