Pixie Mini Macaw
They are easily trained and are rarely aggressive. They are best handled frequently and are able to mimic spoken words.
Macaws eat a diet of pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables, and seeds. They also require a few wood perches to climb on and chew.
Macaws are prone to developing dominance, particularly when they are first introduced to the new environment. To prevent this, an avian behaviorist and a veterinarian should be consult.
Training
Macaws are extremely intelligent birds and they thrive with regular handling, enrichment, care and a space to exercise. They love playing, exploring their environment and manipulating objects. They will also enjoy being "skritched", or cuddled when they are comfortable with the person.
Macaws who aren't handled properly can become aggressive, territorial or destructive. Those that are bored can also resort to feather-picking as a form of self-mutilation. To prevent boredom, offer an array of toys with textures as well as various perches. To avoid damage to feathers caused by boredom toys that mimic preening. If you notice these behavior then consult an experienced animal behaviorist and/or veterinarian.
Young macaws who are fed by hand are able to adapt to new environments and training. They should be exposed to different people, car trips, hospital visits guests at home as well as other pets (including cats and dogs) and other birds as early as they can. These birds are easily influenced and require constant handling at an early age to avoid them from developing friendships with just one person. These parrots may shout and bite to get attention when this happens. Discipline, leadership, and patience are essential to change these behaviours.
As adults, larger macaws such as the Blue & Gold, Scarlet, Military, and Hyacinth are more likely to experience behavioral problems. Hormonal imbalances and drastic environmental changes, lack of mental stimulation and poor diet can lead to depression and aggression. These issues can lead to serious health issues and cause a stressful situation for the pet owner and the parrot.
Mini macaws are more docile than larger macaws, and generally, they can learn tricks, words and basic obedience commands. They do not, however, be as close to their owners. They rarely snuggle with them or kiss. To establish a bond, spend several hours every day with your bird outside their cage and speak to them in a reassuring tone to get them accustomed to your voice. Once you have a relationship, you can teach them to hop onto your finger and learn to interact with other people in a safe environment.
Care
Macaws require interaction with their human counterparts. They are social and intelligent birds. If they don't get enough time to play with their human counterparts, they can become bored and depressed. If they are not managed properly the macaw that is depressed may self-mutilate, removing its feathers, which could be extremely dangerous.
Early socialization and training are vital to prevent these issues. It is recommended that macaws be regularly handled to improve its bond with its owner, improve general health, and allow for an easy examination of the bird's body for any injuries or unusualities. Destruction is another issue that can plague macaws, so owners should provide plenty of high-quality toys to distract their birds away from wooden furniture and other tempting objects around the home.
The nails of a macaw should be cut on a frequent on a regular basis. This helps in handling the bird, and the nails are less likely to be caught on toys and cages. Cutting the nails short helps keep them clean and healthy.
Macaws need a large cage that allows them to fly and exercise. It is recommended that the cage is at minimum 3 feet wide 2 feet deep and 6 feet tall. These large birds need to be able to spread their wings when they are in flight. They also need enough space to climb, perch and toys.
Providing your macaw with a variety of foraging chewable rope, chewable wood toys, puzzles that are easy to take apart and mechanical toys is a great way to provide daily enrichment. Physical enrichment can be provided by providing a variety branches for your macaw. They can climb them and hide in them.
If your macaw is acting strangely, is gasping for air, or is disoriented and unfocused, it could be trying lay an egg. The eggs could put pressure on nerves that control the legs, causing paralysis and self-mutilation. If you notice this behaviour you should contact your veterinarian or animal emergency clinic.
Feeding
Macaws are omnivores and will take pleasure in fruits and vegetables as part of their diet. They can also consume pellets, nuts and commercial parrot foods.
They should be provided with a variety of foods every day to ensure that their diet is well balanced. These small birds eat less food than their larger counterparts and therefore owners don't have to go to as many pet stores. This could save money which is always appreciated!
The Hahn's macaw is an excellent speaker, with a loud and short-lived call they use to locate other members of their group. great green macaw make loud contact calls which can be percussive and they'll call to their owner when they are feeling nervous or afraid.
It is an excellent idea to begin your macaw by rubbing the entire body, particularly under the wings and behind the head. They are awestruck by being loved and are awed by attention! Annual exams are a must to ensure that your bird is healthy. This is the best time to check your bird for parasites, fecal tests and other health issues.
If you're thinking of getting a macaw you will require an enclosure of at minimum 36" by 24" by 24". This will allow your macaw to stretch and fly around. They should be able exercise their natural energy in order to remain healthy and happy.
The cage must be well ventilated and have several different perches to provide the bird with choices. By providing the macaw with a way to let off their energy will help them avoid getting bored and stressed out. The tiny birds are very active in the wild, and they need to be able to let their energy flow in the home.
A major issue with these tiny birds is the hormones of adolescence. As they grow older they can behave like teenagers, and can become irritable. It can be difficult for parrot owners to learn how to be a part of a bird's life. The best thing to do is to be patient and encourage their positive behavior.
Health
Macaws are gregarious birds who love to play and bond with their owners. They are smart and can learn to talk well. They can be a great companion for between 45 and 50 years. They can be noisy and difficult to handle if not socialized at an early age. Training and plenty of handling are essential to keeping this animal happy and a great pet for families.
Hahn's mini macaws are a excellent way to experience the same excitement and fun as large macaws, however, in a smaller package. They are very affectionate and love cuddling however they don't have the tendency to bite or nip as often as larger macaws. They are active little acrobats, but can be calm and quiet as well. They are a great option for those who would like a Macaw but do not have the space to keep a larger bird.
The chestnut-fronted macaw can also be known as the severe macaw and is one of the largest breeds of mini macaw. It's green with patches of blue and red on the wings. The head has an ebony brown patch that has lines of black feathers above the eyes. The chestnut-fronted macaw can be aggressive in puberty, and this can be a issue in captivity. This bird is tolerant of regular handling and loves learning new things.
Macaws aren't known to be territorial, however they can become aggressive when their environment becomes too overcrowded or stressful. If this happens, it's recommended to place the bird in an quiet area until they settle down. A vet can give your bird a thorough physical exam to check the health of their eyes, ears as well as their lungs, heart and coelom. A stool sample can also be taken to check for parasites.
Birdsville sells a wormer named Worm-Away, which is ideal for worming your macaw. You should also change the water in the cage daily and ensure that the cage has enough fresh air. Keep the cage out of direct sunlight, since the heat can cause overheating of the parrot and cause illness.