Hey all! I'm wondering what cool, creative, or just fun gifts would a macaw owner like to receive. I know that everyone spends money on bird toys, treats and other gifts for their Fids, but what would a dedicated "parront" bird owner like to receive? Like a coffee mug with their bird on it that says " speak louder I own a Macaw (that phrase on a tee too). Or like a door mat that says Welcome. Hope you like loud ass birds. Ideas that a parrot owner would like. Ideas? Thoughts

This is Thor. 5 month old mini macaw hybrid. He has had this spot for a few weeks to a month and want to make sure he is ok or that this is normal. We are taking him in next Saturday for a checkup and nails clipped but didn’t want to have to wait to hear about this spot if I can get some feedback earlier. Thanks in advance. ❤️ 🦜

I plan on getting a macaw within the next couple years when I have a bigger house to give her/him their own room and I would love to hear your stories and advice! I’ve been thinking about this for awhile and have been REALLY thinking about it recently. I’ve been eyeballing threads on here, watching videos, tiktoks, reading articles. I’m absorbing all sorts of info, but I would love to hear more. Give me some tips on diets, training, bonding, best toys to get, how to work around my work schedule (I work 12 hour shifts [5:45am-6pm], 3-4 days a week [3 one week, 4 the next, alternates] rest are spent at home), I have 2 cats (ones a sweetheart and the other hides from everything). Just anything really. I would love to hear it. Cleaning processes, the destructiveness, anything! Thank you! 🖤

Just as the title says. Does and don't for their cage?

I need help finding natural and safe xxl wood perches for my harlequin macaw. Her cage is 6’x6’x7’ so I need really long branches. Being on the big island of Hawaii makes shipping impossibly unaffordable. Is there somewhere I can buy what I need or do I have to start cutting from my own guava and painted eucalyptus trees? If I cut my own, is there anything I need to know about what to cut and what not to use? (Bugs, mold, liken, whatever else I need to lookout for?)She currently has different sized dowels, which I need to get rid of, (when you know better you do better, that’s why I am here) some are wrapped in hemp cord, some are not. The biggest issue I have is being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and shipping pre ready branches. So if anyone can offer advice on how to do it myself, or where to get reasonably priced branches I would be forever grateful. Thank you in advance, please be kind.

Hi everyone, I’m thinking about getting a second macaw, currently I have 1,5 years old b&g macaw, and I would love to get him a female Miligold macaw. I would keep them in the same cage, yes it’s plenty big. What will change in his behaviour? He spends more than 4 hours a day outside the cage playing with us. Also, I’m pretty scared that they won’t like each other.. what can I do if that happens?

They normally sleep on the floor under a table but tonight I found them on a perch.

Hi friends, it’s me again. McKenna is doing really great, and starting to show a lot of her personality! She’s been super sweet, begging to get head scratchies alllll the time. I got her a UV light and she’s started getting baths with a spray bottle, and has a humidifier and an Alexa to play music for her, only thing left is to find her a new cage as far as care goes!

The tougher part has been trying to train her, I’ve been attempting target training but she seems scared of the target (chopstick) and will not come to it even if I have a treat so it’s been hard to try and teach her “step up”. She also seems afraid/wary of the new toys I got her, except for the ladders. Any advice to help get her less scared of objects? Thank you in advance and I really appreciate all the advice I’ve been given already!

Pic of her big stretch for tax

Hello everyone!

I am a Biology student at the University of Lincoln (UK) and I am conducting a bit of research into the diet of parrots and would love to hear what you guys think. This is part of a graded assignment so please answer honestly. The survey is totally anonymous so other participants and myself will not know what you have answered. 

It should only take around five minutes, thank you so much for your time. 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xEculd4FgkKDr19LRrFijy-r_YYQY0lIvtN9S1JceMtUQkZXSzVaQVBQVTRJVjZKUTA5OFJFMzZOTS4u 

So my family and I are traveling to see family for Christmas and ice rented an Airbnb that will allow me to take my green wing macaw. I think this will be better for her than hiring a sitter. I know large dog crates are good for traveling, but what is the best option for a sleeping/home alone cage? She can't be out free if we aren't there but I also can't pack up her full size cage. I need an option that is more portable and affordable, as we won't be traveling with her very often like this.

Hey! I'm a college student with an interest in birds. My orchestra director heard that I have an interest in birds and asked if I would be available to watch his bird (A blue and gold macaw), along with two dogs that he owns (I assume he keeps them separate).

I own a dog of my own, but all of my experience with birds has been with ones that aren't my own, and I've never spent more than a day or two with them.

So what I'm asking is: What should I know before I do this? I get really nervous with this kind of thing.

My ex husband forced me to rehome my beautiful blue and gold macaw. Reluctantly I found a home for him with someone who knew about birds and had a beautiful aviery set up for him. Years later I have seen my macaw for sale online, but he is now part of a bonded pair. The seller mentions they have a nest box and are currently agressive. I missed my macaw so much but I’m worried he will be too much for me now that he’s got a hen. Could he ever be a pet again? He’s been living in an aviery with a hen the last 4 years. Before that he was my much loved pet.

My boyfriend’s parents have had their macaw for about 17 years (she’s 30).

My boyfriend’s mom got diagnosed with stage four cancer and is currently in hospice.:(

Even before she got sick we always talked about taking her as my boyfriend is her person.

Coco hates the dad so we’ve been staying at the house taking care of her.

She is so hesitant of new people which after reading this thread that’s very common.

I seem to be doing what you are all recommending, having a routine with her.

My boyfriends great about being out of the room when I do this as he has seen she is much more protective of him when he is around.

When I stay at the house I am the one who opens her cage and changes her water and feeds her. She will even take banana chips from my hand. And sit next to her cage so she can get used to me.

Knowing I’ll be caring for her more often now, any more advice on getting her to trust me more? She still won’t let me pet her or step up which I’m not to worried about. Just jealous of all the cuddles and pets my boyfriend gets😂💖

I really want to own one, but Idk where to buy in my native Ireland. Can I please have any suggestions?

Apologies in advance for the long post.

My dad got a blue and gold macaw sometime in the 70s. He took care of her until he moved out, and then my grandma took over. The first ~35 years of her life she was well cared for, but over the last few years, my grandma hasn’t been able to give the bird proper care.

About a month ago I started going to my grandmother’s to help her care for the macaw. I started by improving her diet, getting her a new perch, and trying to diy some new toys for her. The macaw is beginning to trust me (nibbles my hand/ lets me pet her head a little). Even though the last few years haven’t been great for her, she’s still a very sweet bird.

These are a few things I could really use some advice about:

-bath time. She hasn’t had one in quite a while, and from what I remember, she does not like them. Are there any work arounds instead of a shower? She’s only starting to trust me and I don’t want to push it

-expenses. Wow birds are expensive, specifically cages. Her cage is too small, and I can’t afford to get her anything better. She has started coming out again, which is amazing to see, but I don’t think it’s enough exercise time. Any suggestions about how I can get her moving more?

-toys. Are there any specific toys that your bird loves. Are there any inexpensive diy toys that you’ve made at home?

-any other advice. Literally anything else I need to know. I’ve been doing a lot of googling, and since I’ve been around her for so long, I think I have a decent feel for what she needs. I’m still open to any advice I can get.

She is a very sweet bird, and I want to give her the life she used to have. TIA

A prior post of mine was about me worrying about my macaw preferring my mom and boyfriend over me and I know that is exactly the case now.

I am not my birds person and it breaks my heart since I am the one who wanted him in the first place.

He goes out of his way to get to my mom and my bf, follows them wherever they go, will stay on their lap when we are sitting on the couch and it just makes me want to cry because he seems to just tolerate me.

I don't know how to cope with not being my birds person

What kind of fruits and veggies do your macaws like? I swear mine is the pickiest. So far she likes grapes, pineapple for the juice, bananas and sometimes apples not always tho. I have no problem buying her the more expensive exotic fruits but don't really want to waste the money if they don't typical like it. And veggies are just a no. So anything you guys suggest would be great.

Our home was damaged during Hurricane Helene and needs renovated. My brother has a enclosed Florida room where he's allowing us to put the cages of the rest of our flock, but I'm trying to figure out a solution for my Catalina macaw. Her cage is over 7' tall and will not fit in his space. I tried finding a bird boarder but they all require your own cage and hers is just too big. Do you think it would be okay to buy a smaller than ideal cage for a temporary house for her for a week or two, and then she can be kept with the rest of the birds? What would be the minimum size for it?

I don't have a macaw, I just hope to get one someday (a long time from now) and for now I just like to learn.

Do you guys take your macaws outside? I know some people take their macaws to places to free fly and some people take their macaws on walks (or shoulder rides ig) in a harness.

I have a pretty large indoor house where a macaw could free roam and before I ever got one I plan on putting a large net around my back deck so a macaw could get some outside time safely and be able to stretch it's wings. But it's a bird and birds obviously are made to fly, so would I need to do more? Take it out to places to have freedom and freefly?

^(I work 9 to 5 and I plan on rescuing a macaw soon. I don't know if I will have enough time to take are of these amazing birds if I work full time. I watched videos of many ppl online who own macaws and its controversial if you can work full time and keep these birds happy and mentally stimulated. I would appreciate anyone's help please.)