How old do you have to be to have a Macaw?

Jun 27, 2011

How old do you have to be to have a Macaw?
by: Linda

Well, it is good that you have done your homework on how to care for, feed and house Macaws and other parrots, but words of caution are needed here. If you have not handled the larger parrots, you may be in some trouble later when this baby starts to grow and get bigger and more aggressive. They stay babies for quite a while, and the honest truth about Macaws and Cockatoos is they are birds for people who already know how to handle them safely as they can inflict very serious injury to people who do not understand them. Their beaks have about 100 pounds of crushing power in them plus they can rip a person down to the bone if scared or otherwise out of control. Make sure you never have your birds on your shoulders near your face because this is asking for trouble.

Though you have studied books and know via the books the basics of parrot care, you may not understand all about parrot behavior. Always keep in mind all of them are wild exotic animals who will revert back to their wild selves when afraid, hurt or angry. Keep all parrots away from your face and this means NO kissing them and no hugging them up to your chest close to your neck.

I am old and have worked with Macaws for many years, and I can instruct you to always be watchful when working with them. They are sweet birds, and when they are mad or hurt, can turn into monsters who will severely hurt you though they do not mean to. This is the nature of wild animals, and if you have 5 parrots, it's high time you understand this fact above all others. Parrots are not, nor will they ever be, domesticated birds. In times of stress, they will behave as their wild counterparts. You will also never know what may set them off. I worked with several in a store I managed in Oregon. The Scarlet was normally a nice girl, and I'd had no problems with handling her. One day, I was laughing with the boss, her Daddy, and when I went to get her out of cage on my arm, she attacked me without forewarning or provocation. She almost broke my wrist, did lacerate my arm from the elbow to the wrist almost to the bone.

My message to you is to understand who you are dealing with here or suffer the consequences. I never offered that bird my arm again and always picked her up with a perch. She never tried to hurt me again. By the way, my boss had to use a strong stick to pry her loose from my arm. Once the Macaws close down on something, you will not be able to get out of it alone. Always work with your birds with someone else there with you who can handle birds. None of this was to scare you, it may just save you from the effects of an unexpected attack of the worst kind.Expect the unexpected with parrots, and you'll do fine.

Good luck and thanks for writing,
Linda

How old do you have to be to have a Macaw?

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How old do you have to be to have a Macaw?

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