{"id":12958,"date":"2019-10-25T13:32:48","date_gmt":"2019-10-25T18:32:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/windycityparrot.com\/blog\/?p=12958"},"modified":"2019-10-25T13:32:48","modified_gmt":"2019-10-25T18:32:48","slug":"how-do-i-care-for-a-hyacinth-macaw-and-other-macaw-species-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.windycityparrot.com\/?p=12958","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Care For A Hyacinth Macaw And Other Macaw Species Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe only thing a Hyacinth macaw needs is an adult tricycle\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A big shout out to Carl Bryant mentioning Windy City Parrot where the sun never sets empire and our avian-centric Birdie Brunch served every Sunday morning at 7 AM wherever you are on the planet in answer 2 of the Quora question How Do I Care For A Hyacinth Macaw<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Let’s continue to answer one.<\/span><\/p>\n

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“If you don\u2019t know anything about parrots. for God\u2019s sake do not get a Hyacinth Macaw!”<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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What is this conclusion based upon?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Who’s to say what particular human is suited to any specific species of bird?<\/span><\/p>\n

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I’m not even going to bother to climb on my soapbox for this one, I’m just gonna tell you a story.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Contrary to the information in the Chicago Tribune article below Nick rescued Sam and the original Beuford from his deceased partner’s home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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His partner had died but Nick didn’t realize it for 6 days so he went over to check.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The partner was on the kitchen floor the Hyacinth macaw and greenwing macaw were on their stands and four dogs were lying around with nothing to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n

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We know this because we know Nick and the birds.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He would visit us when our shop was in Portage Park, a Chicago northside neighborhood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Animal House of Chicago Veterinary Hospital Tour ~ Video<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone on the north side of Chicago knows Nick and his macaws.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When the birds were rescued, Nick was a recent retiree <\/span>never having a bird in his life but took on the care of a Greenwing and a Hyacinth macaw.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a video of Sam and Bruno’s daily three-wheel driver.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Literally in the middle of shooting, Nick and the big birds show up for a wellness check on the big trike.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you live on the north side of Chicago you know the trio is always on the street, chatting and entertaining.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Nick has no bird cages.<\/span><\/p>\n

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He just takes care of the birds the best he can and has been doing so for 19 years. He started using a baby stroller then later switched to the trike.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bowmanville’s ‘bird man’ carries on after a beloved macaw is kidnapped<\/span><\/a>. Chicago Tribune<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Gabby is 18 years old. <\/span>I purchased her when she was a baby from a breeder in Peoria. I now need to re-home her<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The breeder is no longer in business. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Gabby has been sexed and is a female.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Her vet is Dr. Sakas<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She is a much loved and well cared for bird. <\/span><\/p>\n

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I’ve been her only owner for her entire life. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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She’s fully feathered and beautiful!<\/span><\/p>\n

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But….she is a handful (!!) and I would want the new owners to know this and be totally prepared.
\nShe’s active, vocal, and requires a lot of attention. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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When I’m home I interact with her a lot.<\/span><\/p>\n

I’ve worked with her for years on her screaming and it is better by about 60-70% but she still has her moments which can drive anyone crazy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What has helped the most is her whistle.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She has a distinct whistle that she uses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When she whistles I stop whatever I am doing and whistle back then go to her.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She has learned that I will come immediately when she whistles and this has cut down on her screaming a lot.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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She also likes activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her cage should be next to a window with a lot of activity she can watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Preferably in the den or family area.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She wants to be part of the family even if the family is one person.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She loves to cuddle and just sit on your lap.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She also enjoys taking a shower with me every morning. <\/span><\/p>\n

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She walks up and down the shower rod and will occasionally climb down the curtain and gets into the water.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There’s a lot more information I could give but my main concern is that the new owner have a lot of patience and know that Gabby, while beautiful, is not an “easy” bird. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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She requires a lot of time, attention, and love.<\/span><\/p>\n

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No, I won’t ask for anything from the right family.<\/span><\/p>\n

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All I ask is that I see where she is going to live and screen the new owners.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I also want to be able to inquire about her and keep up with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I want this to be an open adoption.<\/span><\/p>\n

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My hope is that the new owners will be her last owners.<\/span><\/p>\n

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That is my biggest concern, that it won’t work out and Gabby will move to yet another home.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I worry that the new companions don’t have the time or patience for a demanding bird like Gabby as she requires a lot of time and attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

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She is not a shy bird at all and won’t tolerate being ignored.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This is very important for the new owners to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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From William Johnson
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>Hi, <\/span>My daughter is thinking about placing her 18-year old greenwing macaw, which she has owned since he was a baby, with the <\/span>Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary<\/a> (FEBS).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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