I hope you find the information here valuable enough that you will also enjoy my book and videos!
To begin this section I want to discuss a common topic many prospective Macaw folks want to know...
In my 'Macaw process'...I have done number 2, 3, and 4.
My first Macaw adoption was Rainbow...a 15-year-old Greenwing Macaw that was given to a rescue 4 years ago because his human caretaker died and wanted him cared for by professionals with Macaw experience. Rainbow the Greenwing Macaw was re-homed and spends the rest of his life with his bonded brother Joey the Greenwing Macaw.
My second Macaw was found on craigslist...she was advertised as a Harlequin Macaw, which is a first-generation Hybrid Macaw as the result of breeding a Greenwing Macaw with a Blue and Gold Macaw...and they have a beautiful and brilliant orange chest...with green feathers on the head and upper back...as seen in the picture below...but the picture of Paco showed a brilliant golden chest...with turquoise feathers on her back, wings, and tail...and thanks to the late and wonderful Hybrid Macaw breeder Barb Carapezza, she identified Paco as a second-generation Harligold Hybrid Macaw.
- 'For my first Macaw...should I buy a baby Macaw...or an adult?
- Is it a good idea to adopt an adult Macaw from a reputable parrot rescue?
- Should I search and buy a Macaw from craigslist?
- Or...get one free from a relative, friend, or someone that simply wants to find a good home for their Macaw?
In my 'Macaw process'...I have done number 2, 3, and 4.
My first Macaw adoption was Rainbow...a 15-year-old Greenwing Macaw that was given to a rescue 4 years ago because his human caretaker died and wanted him cared for by professionals with Macaw experience. Rainbow the Greenwing Macaw was re-homed and spends the rest of his life with his bonded brother Joey the Greenwing Macaw.
My second Macaw was found on craigslist...she was advertised as a Harlequin Macaw, which is a first-generation Hybrid Macaw as the result of breeding a Greenwing Macaw with a Blue and Gold Macaw...and they have a beautiful and brilliant orange chest...with green feathers on the head and upper back...as seen in the picture below...but the picture of Paco showed a brilliant golden chest...with turquoise feathers on her back, wings, and tail...and thanks to the late and wonderful Hybrid Macaw breeder Barb Carapezza, she identified Paco as a second-generation Harligold Hybrid Macaw.
Paco was so big I thought for sure 'she' was a 'he'...so I named her Paco...after DNA results were reviewed...it was obvious I was wrong...both Paco and Kida the Military Macaw are both female.
Paco is seen below...notice the significant color variations between a Harlequin and a Harligold Macaw!
I also found Gomez...my 4-year-old male Greenwing Macaw on craigslist...he was 3 at the time...and thanks to my patience and willingness to be instructed by him...I finally got an A and graduated from Macaw University!
Gomez taught me the importance and necessity of being able to 'never fear the beak...simply learn how to move with it'...
After Gomez taught me this...he and I get along wonderfully...with BOTH mutual respect...and mutual trust...but since Gomez was raised with his female hatch mate...he loves to wrestle and play rough...when he is standing up...while he is lying on his back...or while suspended from a hanging chew toy...he is very strong...and extremely attentive...and very intelligent!
Buying a baby Macaw that is weaned is not something I have chosen to do...I think if I was in my 40's,,,and had the same lifestyle and knowledge I have today...I would buy and raise a weaned baby...but at my age now and given how much time and attention is necessary to teach them how to safely explore and properly live in their new world...this experience is not something I was ready to commit to...Gomez at 3 was still a baby in many ways...but his early childhood years were managed by a very capable breeder named Andrea Anderson...and by his first human caretaker before I purchased him.
A unweaned baby Macaw that will be fledged and taught 'free flying skills' is reserved for advanced Macaw folks...and requires advanced hand feeding skills...along with basic veterinary tech skills in case of an accident or injury.
It seems probable that adopting or buying an adult Macaw makes the most sense...but remember...the Macaw must choose you...especially if you are new to Macaw life...and if this happens...you will know either immediately...or after a few more visits...each Macaw is unique in every way...both emotionally and physically...even the small feathers under the eye are unique to that specific Macaw!
Paco chose me instantly...it took Kida a few days...and it took Gomez about 6 weeks!
After driving to Denver, Colorado to meet Paco...I walked into the front room where Paco was sitting on top of her cage...so first I talked with the caretaker for a few minutes...and asked him about her breeder...her diet...the amount of time spent out of her cage...where she slept at night...and how much 'human touch' she requested...and how much she actually received.
After we talked...I felt that Paco was a good choice based upon her health records, diet, and beauty...but I wanted to see if she chose me! So I walked slowly over to her area in the room and stood next to the top of the cage...as she walked over to me I raised my left arm and she stepped right up!
Next I walked over and sat on the couch...she then walked up my left arm to my shoulder...continued all the way to my right shoulder...then walked over to my right elbow and bit me with medium pressure...then suddenly looked at me directly in my eyes as if to say...'Are you sure you can handle me?'
And that was it...we have been connected ever since...
Kida had been in 6 different homes and lived in a rescue before when I met her. But after spending a few days with her ...we went to Home Depot with her caretaker at the time...and by the time we arrived...she stepped right up and has been a wonderful companion ever since.
When you see the picture of Kida below...it conveys such innocence...and this was before we went to Home Depot!
Gomez was also found on craigslist...and 6 hours away from where I live...so that means I rent a van...drive at night...and take my 2 Macaws...an African Gray...and my 2 dogs. But...since I grew up in the 'hippie generation'...and lived in my VW bus for 1 year while traveling all around the USA...I really enjoy van camping!
The parrots are safely sleeping in their crates...and the 2 dogs and I are curled up in the back of the van and wake up the next morning ready to meet Gomez.
While waiting to meet Gomez the next morning...the birds and dogs and I had a party outside...
Gomez was very close to his female human caretaker...and did not want to be away from her. Since she was planning on moving with her family to New Zealand and could not take him...she needed to find him a good home. I asked her to leave the room...so we could be alone without having her there as a safety blanket...and after a few minutes I was preening the pin feathers on his head and neck...and while gently scratching his head and neck...he almost fell asleep!
I realize the shock he must have felt leaving her forever...but after a few weeks...he fell in love with Paco...and each day they take turns singing...talking...and screaming together! Since Paco was not raised around other Macaws...she does not feel safe when Gomez flies over to see her...seen in the picture below!
Sometimes...Gomez prefers to visit Kida the Military Macaw...but just like Paco...Kida also has no interest in playing with him...as seen in the picture below.
