Well i have decided i want a macaw but i have a few questions.What is the best choice for a first Macaw,are some better for a first time owner i preferably want a large bird.Are some more noisy than others?I would guess i will probably get bitten at some point right,no big deal i just got a bite from my 10 foot python recently...Haha.How big of a cage do i need i just want a point to start at and then i will get something bigger than needed i have plenty of room.and finally when i am ready to get the bird what would be my best choice online breeder or local store,baby or adult.Thanks

I forgot i would like a link to a good trusted breeder,i know there are some shady people in the reptile buisness so i would imagine there are some bad seeds around with birds too.

I've always heard wonderful things about red-fronts. Yellow collars as well. I think B&G's are probably along the most popular kept macaws. I don't have much experience at all with macaws, these are just some species you can research.

As to breeder links...I don't have a universal list anywhere, but somebody may know the link to something like that. Where are you located? You'll probably want to find a breeder close by so you can visit the baby. Also, I wouldn't want to ship a baby due to possible stress. Try asking any pet stores where they get their birds from. The breeder I got my CAG from doesn't have a website, or advertise in any way that I know. It was actually an accident the way I got in contact with her. She does sell to the the pet stores though, so that would have been the way to find out about her.

Good luck!

I'm not sure there is a "best" choice for a first macaw. That really depends on your individual situation, living arraignments, prior bird experience, etc etc. As for the noise, in my experience with size comes volume. Our GreenWing Seymour can be very load when upset. His vocabulary is large but he chooses to only speak when spoken too. Now our Scarlet, Jack will play for hours while talking loudly to himself. I often think he has an imaginary friend cause he can be all alone and still talk and laugh as if someone were in the room with him.

Yes, you will be bitten, nipped, tortured, and bloody from time to time with any bird. The key is do not let it hurt your feeling, but rather learn and understand what your bird is trying to communicate to you.

A starting point for a Macaw cage would be roughly 3 feet deep by 4 feet wide, with heavy bars, latch's and locks. (This may sound large, but its not, they need room to stretch there wings and macaw toys take up allot of cage space) You might as well spend the money up front and buy a stainless steel cage if possible. The better quality cage you buy the longer it will last, remember Macaws live several decades.

As for on line breeders I haven't a clue. I would recommend a local store, that way you have a chance to interact with different species, and experience different personalities. Plus you will meet many other bird owners and possibly meet new friends. We met many friendly knowledgeable people over the few months we spent looking for our first macaw. Heck most of the ones that helped us out in the beginning are frequent posters here on the board and close friends. Some will say you may have an easier time with a baby, but don't rule out a full grown adult bird. Many people on this board have teken in older macaws and they are very sweet loving birds too.

I have found a few bird stores near me so i think that will be how i buy,And 3 foot by 4 foot does not sound that big it will be bigger than that.I have no prior bird experiance but i have some reptiles that have pretty specific husbandry requirments to thrive so i feel i am up to the task of any bird with the right planning.I'm not fully decided yet but i am looking at blue through macaws right now,thanks for the prompt and informative replys.Theres nothing like hearing from people with lots of knowledge on a subject for advice,thanks.If anyone else has anything to add i would love to hear.

Well, I'm not sure I'd opt for the Yellow Collared Macaw as a first time bird. I would seek the opinion of people who own one, but from what I gather at the clinic, their reputation is a bit more reserved and nippy.

I would also be careful in handeling birds and handeling reptiles. Is there not a concern with salmonella? Not saying your not already aware of this, but if not you may want to research it.

I'm not too worried about the transfer of disease as i am pretty sanitary when it comes to my animals but i will keep that in mind.I am always washing my hands because i do not want to smell like prey to a 50 pound snake!!..I know what it is like to get tagged and it sux.

IMHO, large snakes and birds don't mix. It's lunch just waiting to happen. Expensive lunch, at that.....

However, that said, my first choice will always be a Hyacinth, provided you have the finances and time they need. Not only are they expensive, but so is their cage, their food and their toys. They are sweet, loving, and although they have the biggest, most powerful Macaw beaks out there, they're the least inclined to use them on human flesh, generally speaking.

I also adore Scarlets. They're a bit pinchy-pinchy, but raised with love and taught the rules gently and consistently, they are oh-so-loving! I'd have a whole flock of them if I had room :-).

Mini macaws always seem inclined to bite, from my own experiences. Severes, especially. Neat birds, but definitely not for the faint of heart or thin-skinned ('cause those puppies will take their pound of flesh every so often, just to make sure you're paying attention!)

sorry i have to disagree! i used to run a reptile rescue out of my home and had my 8 larger vivs all filled with 10ft+ snakes... i have never had a problem!! the only snake that escaped on me was a wee 1ft long corn snake who got out thru the one hole i didnt see and therefore didnt tape up in the tank

i dont know if you have ever kept burmese or retic pythons or even anacondas and the like irish....but when you have those snakes in your house that cost a bomb you make sure your tanks are escape proof!

it issue is more are you willing to deal with the bites...from my experience if youve gotten tagged by a decent size burmese or retic then its not much worse

and can you deal with the noise?? or should i say can your neighbours deal??? one of the many reasons i dont have a macaw yet is my neighbours would have a fit!

We are planning on selling our house in the future and are going to have a new home built. Once we do this a Hy is on our list of things to get!!! Not to hyjack this thread how is Mikey doing?