Macaws are one of the most beautiful types of parrots and are favourites among parrot owners.
Not only are they beautiful but they are highly sociable, intelligent, and entertaining to be around.
They make excellent companions for those who have the time to put into a parrot.
The truth is, no parrot is easy.
They take a lot of time and effort.
But there is a rumor going around that Macaws are on the more high-maintenance side.
But is this rumor true?
Are macaws high maintenance?
The answer to this question is yes. Macaws are extremely high maintenance. They require a great deal of care and a lot of your time. Because they are so intelligent, macaws can get bored easily. For this reason they cannot be left alone for long periods of time and require much of your attention throughout the day.
But what else makes Macaws high maintenance?
And what types of Macaws are there?
Today we will answer both of these questions and more so let’s not waste another minute.
Why are Macaws high maintenance?
Macaws are extremely intelligent.
Of all the different species of parrot, Macaws are one of the most intelligent of them all.
This is one of their more attractive traits that makes them so popular, but it can also be one of the traits that makes them the most stubborn and difficult.
Owning a macaw is like raising a toddler with the intelligence level of a five-year-old.
This means that you will deal with regular temper tantrums.
It also means that they require a great deal of attention to prevent boredom.
Macaws require a great deal of your time.
When you opt to own a macaw, you need to realize that you are becoming that macaws mate for life.
And as their mate, they require constant and consistent attention from you.
When you own a macaw, you cannot spend long hours away, nor do you get a week away for vacation.
All of your extra time must be dedicated to your parrot.
Anything less will result in angry outbursts and destructive behaviors on behalf of your parrot.
Macaws get bored easily.
Because Macaws are so highly intelligent they require constant stimulation unless they are sleeping.
Without attention from you or stimulating toys, your macaw can become bored which will ultimately result in destructive behaviors.
Again, Macaws are extremely social creatures.
For this reason they need to be socialized.
Macaws should be socialized with as many people as possible including friends, family, young children, and other pets.
A macaw that is not properly socialized will become frightened in new situations and may lash out at people around them.
In other words, socialisation is the key to a happy and content macaw.
Macaws can be very vocal.
Macaws can speak and that’s one of the things that we love most about them.
But sometimes they don’t stop speaking.
Not only that, but macaws can also scream and make other unwanted noises at all hours of the night.
They are not ideal for people who live in close quarters with others and should only be kept in a large home where noise is not an issue.
What are the different types of Macaws?
There are over 17 different species of Macaw.
Some of these species are very popular as pets and others are very close to being endangered.
Included on the highly endangered list are the Hyacinth, the Red fronted and Blue-throated Macaws.
But many are also kept as pets.
Each of the different species of macaw has their own unique quirks and needs.
Here are a few of the different types of macaws:
Blue and Gold Macaws.
This type of macaw is one of the larger macaws, measuring almost three feet from the tip of the tail to the beak.
This species is very intelligent and extremely social and requires a great deal of attention from its owners.
They are loud and known to chew.
They each have their own unique personality and tend to bond closely with their owners.
They make excellent companions but are not for novice bird owners.
Greenwing macaws.
Green-winged macaws tend to have a sweeter disposition and are on the easier side to train.
Like Blue and gold macaws, Green Wing macaws require a great deal of attention and social interaction.
They also tend to bond very closely with their owners and thrive when the environment is supportive and loving.
Hahn’s Macaws.
If you’re looking for a smaller breed of macaw the Hahn’s Macaw is a good choice.
This type of parrot is usually pretty easygoing, though they are still very social and intelligent.
Hahn’s macaws don’t have the same vocabulary as some other types of macaws but can learn to talk with practice.
If you aren’t ready to take on a larger bird, the Hahns macaw might be a smaller choice.
Hyacinth Macaws.
Hyacinth Macaws are the largest species of macaw.
They are also one of the most difficult macaws to care for.
This species of macaw is extremely intelligent and very social.
They demand a great deal of time and attention, moreso than other species of macaw.
They require a great deal of time, effort, and patience but can make excellent companions if you have the time to put in.
With that being said the Hyacinth Macaw is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Scarlet macaws.
Scarlet Macaws are also very intelligent and require a great deal of attention from their owners.
In fact this breed of macaw gets bored more easily and quickly than others and requires almost constant attention from their owners or toys to play with.
They can be affectionate but can also be very noisy.
For this reason you need to have a large space of your own and should not live in an apartment if you want to own one.
Of course these are just a few of the many different species of macaw.
As we mentioned above there are over 17 different species of macaw each with their own unique personalities and traits.
Always be sure to research the type of macaw you intend to purchase before bringing them into your home.
All Macaws are a huge investment and require a great deal of time and devotion.
With that being said, some require more than others and it’s important to know the difference before you choose a pet.
Are Macaws Aggressive?
No. In most cases Macaws are not aggressive.
With that being said, macaws can become aggressive if they are not properly socialized or if their environment is not stimulating and positive for them.
This is why it is so important to keep your macaw well socialized and happy.
If not, they can lash out and can bite.
And of all parrots, macaws have one of the most painful bites.
They have a bite force of 500 to 2000 PSI.
They might not be able to rip off a finger, but they definitely can draw blood and lead to stitches.
How much time do you need to spend with your macaw each day?
The amount of time and attention that your macaw requires will vary from bird to bird.
Like people, each of these parrots have their own unique personalities and needs.
In one survey, over 53% of parrot owners said that they spend three to five hours per day with their macaw.
Another 20% said that they spend the entire day with their macaw, and yet another 20% said that they spend one to two hours per day.
In conclusion, yes, Macaws are extremely high maintenance parrots.
Of all the parrots they are one of the most high maintenance.
This means that they are not for novice parrot owners and purchasing one should not be a decision that is made lightly.
Macaws require a great deal of time and attention, and can become aggressive and destructive if you do not have the time to dedicate to them.