My name is Dee I am a bird lover. I do not have any parrots at the moment but will be getting one in the future. I was thinking of getting a African Gray. Anyway I am a single mom of one little girl named Emily. My husband passed away from a massive heart attack on Oct 17 2009. I used to have Cockatiels lovebirds and budgies as pets. I used to breed them but I am no longer doing that. I do have a canary named tweedy but hes not a parrot. So I know some knowledge on breeding and keeping small parrots. Anyway I need some help with a school project.

I started going back to school for upgrading. I am going to become a avian veterinarian. Any way I am doing a school project on Macaws. I do not know much about this bird so thats why I picked it. I like learning new things and Macaws are just breath taking.

I am looking on line for things about them but I thought who would know better then you guys.

I am currently doing a chapter on Macaws as pets. It would be great if there are some macaw owners on here.

here we go what I need to know. links would be great also.

Care as a pet
feeding what do they eat in captivity? I know fruit and veggies are a part of there diet. What are there favorites? most birds will eat boiled eggs I cant see anything that says macaws can. Is there foods that you should not give to your macaw. I know chocolate is a no no.

caging why is a steal cage recommended? and I know they need a large cage what size would you recommend. would it be better to keep a macaw in a aviary or in a large cage in the house? If in the house is the cage only used as a bed or do you take them out for hours a day?

What kind of sicknesses are common to a macaw? I know to look for dirty vent puffed up feathers but are there other things to look for?

What kinds of toys are safe and not safe for a macaw? I know they like to chew wood. But what else do they like to play with?

What kind of personality do macaws have in the home. Do they have a attitude are they picky about sertin people. I know each bird is different but this is just for macaws in general. Do they like to cuddle with there owner? Or are they just happy to sit with there owners?

oh and I know this will open up a debate. thoughts about wing clipping and this horrid thing beak spiting.

I already did a chapter on Breeding macaws. It really makes me mad when i read they cross breed these gorgeous birds. The other two chapters are Macaws in the wild and Different types of Macaws. When I get there I will tell you what I need then.

In the wild macaws can hybridise.

Welcome to Parrot Chatter....

Its really nice to see you doing your home work on Parrots...that what I did for months before we bought our First YCM,,,,It's really important...bravo!!!!!

My name is Dee I am a bird lover. I do not have any parrots at the moment but will be getting one in the future. I was thinking of getting a African Gray. Anyway I am a single mom of one little girl named Emily. My husband passed away from a massive heart attack on Oct 17 2009. I used to have Cockatiels lovebirds and budgies as pets. I used to breed them but I am no longer doing that. I do have a canary named tweedy but hes not a parrot. So I know some knowledge on breeding and keeping small parrots. Anyway I need some help with a school project.

Hi Dee! So nice to meet you. I used to have a grey, Gipper. He was my very best friend. They are wonderful birds. So sorry to hear about your husband's death. I pray that you and Emily are getting along. My mom has a canary named Bow. Their songs are so beautiful!

I started going back to school for upgrading. I am going to become a avian veterinarian. Any way I am doing a school project on Macaws. I do not know much about this bird so thats why I picked it. I like learning new things and Macaws are just breath taking.

Oh good! Free vet advice! ha! You go girl!

I am looking on line for things about them but I thought who would know better then you guys.

I am currently doing a chapter on Macaws as pets. It would be great if there are some macaw owners on here.

Macaw owners? No such thing. We are owned by our macaws.

here we go what I need to know. links would be great also.

Care as a pet
feeding what do they eat in captivity? I know fruit and veggies are a part of there diet. What are there favorites? most birds will eat boiled eggs I cant see anything that says macaws can. Is there foods that you should not give to your macaw. I know chocolate is a no no.
Well, they will eat anything including small children and dogs. Their favorite thing is whatever you have. Avacados are also a no no. Best to stick with nuts and fresh veggies as treats. Check Bea's posts on what to eat and the rest of ours as to what not to eat! ha!
caging why is a steal cage recommended? and I know they need a large cage what size would you recommend. would it be better to keep a macaw in a aviary or in a large cage in the house? If in the house is the cage only used as a bed or do you take them out for hours a day?

My whole house is Ruby's cage. ha! Just give it up and know that it will be anyway.

What kind of sicknesses are common to a macaw? I know to look for dirty vent puffed up feathers but are there other things to look for?

What kinds of toys are safe and not safe for a macaw? I know they like to chew wood. But what else do they like to play with?
Well, just don't give them toothbrushes. I know that much. Ruby loved hers but they have tiny lead pieces that hold in the bristles and she swallowed them. This is a real good way to support avian vets. Maybe read Angie's post today on Banjo.

What kind of personality do macaws have in the home. Do they have a attitude are they picky about sertin people. I know each bird is different but this is just for macaws in general. Do they like to cuddle with there owner? Or are they just happy to sit with there owners?

Attitude? Well, that pretty well sums up a macaw. Picky? ha! Cuddly? Well, Ruby will cuddle. Of course I don't have any buttons left. Happy to sit? Well if they are bone tired.
oh and I know this will open up a debate. thoughts about wing clipping and this horrid thing beak spiting.

Never heard of beak splitting, but I would sic Ruby on anyone that ever did such a thing to a macaw. Wing clipping? Well, I have to keep Ruby clipped. She is at my side all day every day and that is just the way it has to be for now. She can and will climb ANYWHERE though.

I already did a chapter on Breeding macaws. It really makes me mad when i read they cross breed these gorgeous birds. The other two chapters are Macaws in the wild and Different types of Macaws. When I get there I will tell you what I need then.

Well, Ruby is a ruby macaw. Her mama was a scarlet and her daddy a greenwing. Didn't know there was such a debate on the topic when I got her. She just laid her head on my chest and loved me and I would have brought her home if she had been half ostrich. I would say that picking on birds or people for that matter that aren't "purebred" is being predjudiced and well, we all know that that is not politically correct. ha!

Hope this helped. If you do manage to figure out macaws, please let me know. One thing for sure is that they are SILLY GEESE! Fun, fun, FUN birds! Ruby says "step-up!!".
Now let's see if my red print worked like Angie's.

Hi Dee, great that you are seeking information from macaw owners, they have real life experience.

Care as a pet
feeding what do they eat in captivity? I know fruit and veggies are a part of there diet. What are there favorites? most birds will eat boiled eggs I cant see anything that says macaws can. Is there foods that you should not give to your macaw. I know chocolate is a no no.

This link has the list of poisonous foods.

Ten Toxic Foods for Bird Owners to Avoid

caging why is a steal cage recommended? and I know they need a large cage what size would you recommend. would it be better to keep a macaw in a aviary or in a large cage in the house? If in the house is the cage only used as a bed or do you take them out for hours a day?

It is ideal to have an aviary for macaws but if that isn't possible, having a large cage that they can call their home is important. Using it as a bed and having them out as much as you can during the day is best for the macaws.


What kind of sicknesses are common to a macaw? I know to look for dirty vent puffed up feathers but are there other things to look for?

Recognizing signs of illness early is very important. This is a good link for explanation.

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww14ev.htm

What kinds of toys are safe and not safe for a macaw? I know they like to chew wood. But what else do they like to play with?

Forging toys are great to stimulate macaw's minds. Adding nuts or their favorite treat to any forging toy will tempt them to explore and encourage their natural curiosity.



What kind of personality do macaws have in the home. Do they have a attitude are they picky about sertin people. I know each bird is different but this is just for macaws in general. Do they like to cuddle with there owner? Or are they just happy to sit with there owners?

Every macaw has their own personality. Some have an attitude, but I believe that is because of their history or that a family member might not know how or have the desire interact with a macaw. Some like to cuddle with their owner, others don't and prefer to just be with their owner in the area to sit and play.

oh and I know this will open up a debate. thoughts about wing clipping and this horrid thing beak spiting.

There are plenty of threads that debate this topic, but keeping pet macaws flighted is the healthiest and happiest way for a macaw to live. It is more work generally for the owner to keep their birds safe and if the parronts aren't able to provide that safety, clipping is an alternative way to keep a macaw in your home.

Among other things they need a lot of interaction. You will see that those of us who are owned by a parrot macaw or otherwise spend a lot time playing with our friends. Providing them with the food and toys is only the beginning. They really are like having a child they need to learn and explore but can get into trouble if not supervised and that is for the rest of their lives. They go through a lot of toy and if they aren't there (sometimes even if they are) they will chew apart anything they can get their beaks on like window sills table legs. They are messy so if you are a neat freak they might not be the right choice. But having said all the things they can do there is nothing like a kiss from a bird playing with them having them tell you they love you or watching how excited they get when they see you everything else they do is forgotten. They aren't for everyone but for some they are the right kind of friend

That was sweet wording Galileo. "The right kind of friend".

Gaileo said it right, "they're really like having a child..can get into trouble if not supervised".

Can't say the following for all macaws, just letting you know my experience w/my BGM...

Say goodbye to sweaters, wallpaper, woodwork, and buttons. Jewelry, too. Have Oxyclean handy to clean up the poop on your carpet, and a microfiber cloth to dust every, oh, 3 hours if you're the fussy type.

I give my macaw a variety of fruits, veggies (but NO AVOCADO!) & nuts, but her main diet is good-quality bird pellets (similar to dry dog food, but made specifically for macaws).


Toys: stainless-steel or nickel-plated are safe - these are mostly used in bells and chains that hold the wood blocks. You must find your bird's preferences regarding toys...my macaw is not a "chainsaw" and likes toys that are easily destroyed. There are websites that can create "custom" toys for your macaw's preferences!

Re: people: We have a quiet home (no kids), hubby works, so I'm the primary caregiver, so she naturally sees me as "Mommy". Husband is secondary, and consequently, she's not as receptive to him. Visitors are regarded with much interest, but not overt freindliness like a golden retriver.

My BGM cn be moody - sometimes a love junkie, sometimes a nippy PIA.


big blues' post pretty much covered your questions...but what on earth is "beak splitting"??