http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-reviews Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:13:23 GMT Latest reviews about Blue and Gold Macaw http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-b5fd <p>My sister actually owned 2 Blue and Gold Macaws.  Not at the same time, but overall, 2.  The first she bought from a private owner and she was about 1 yr. old at the time.  Initially, I was scared.  This giant beak is walking towards me and I don't know what it wants!  When I finally saw how friendly and affectionate this thing was, I couldn't believe it!  My sister recieved a 10 page letter on how to care for it, including singing her and rocking her to sleep if she couldn't.  Unfortunately, she died at approx. 5 yrs. old of a liver disease, which appartently these birds are succeptable to.   After her loss, my sister went and bought another as a baby at our local pet store.  Same affection and love, but never enough.  My sister would take her out and play with her daily, as would I.  After a few years, with my sister going to school and working, she could no longer give the bird the attention it needed.  The bird started to react by screaming and plucking it's feathers. ...</p>... Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:13:23 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-b5fd lisapuskas 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-de36 <p>We have had many animals in the past and still do. Our latest is a baby blue and gold macaw. She is fun to be with and lets everyone in the family handle her unlike some of the other birds we have. my children will even hold her and they are 14 and 7. Our africian grey will only stick to my husband she wont let anyone else get her unless she flew to floor and needs to get up then she'll let you touch her.</p> <p>She is playful, we play games on the floor, she rolls over and lays on her back and will sometime hang upside down on her back when holding her. My daughter hopes to show her other things she saw a show with a macaw riding a bike and hopes now she will do the same. She has tried playing ball on the floor with her.</p> <p>They do make a mess with food and wood, we have pieces of the wood toys all over the place. The dogs do help with the food and its great that they eat people food to so when we eat we give her some to and the dogs love it when she drops it.</p> <p>Shes starting to stay things like hello...</p>... Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:29:03 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-de36 tinytot 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-7d7a <p>These parrots are absolutely gorgeous. But with good looks come a very loud squawk, sometimes when they are happy, sometimes as a warning.  I have a hand fed Macaw six years old who is a cuddler and a talker.  He does scream when his cage mate gets down out of their cage and walks around, so he's warning me.  They are a lifelong commitment and will give years of pleasure to someone who absolutely loves birds.  Boarding them when you vacation is not cheap, neither are the food or toys, which are both consumable products for them.  You shouldn't mind sweeping or vacuuming as they are used to throwing food down from the trees when the live in the wild, to animals down below, so they will certainl do that from their cage. I love my macaw, but they aren't for everyone.  Get your fix at the pet shop, but leave them there if you cannot give them a lifetime of love.</p>... Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:44:14 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-7d7a Sammi313 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-f93a <p>As a professional zookeeper and aviculturist, I would most definitely not recommend Blue and Gold Macaws as a pet.  Let's review the three basic needs that one must satisfy in order to maintain a happy and healthy macaw.</p>&#13; <p>First, proper shelter must be provided to the animal.  Macaws are large birds and therefor require a large enclosure.  Failure to provide adequate room lead to feather damage and possibly other injuries.</p>&#13; <p>Second, a balanced and sufficient diet must be provided daily to keep a Blue and Gold Macaw fit.  Fresh fruit, nuts, as well as a well balanced parrot pellet diet must be on hand.  This can be difficult for many people as fruits can spoil quickly.</p>&#13; <p>Third, the attention demanded from these parrots is almost unattainable for the average nine to five worker.  In a zoological setting, we are able to provide 10 hours of interaction daily, and we still can fall short.  When these birds feel attention deprived, they may scream.  This isn't the generic macaw noise, but...</p>... Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:20:46 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-f93a Bluedingo 2 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-4a0510  I got my Blue &amp; Gold Macaw (Ricky) when he was 7wks-I went through syringe feeding and weaning my bird-great for bonding but a lot of work. Ricky's now 2yrs old. Macaws are not the bird for a beginner. Macaws require money and time. These birds are messy.Behavior is like a permanent toddler-demanding and require a lot of attention (or you'll end up with a screamer that plucks feathers out) results are worth the effort. You will have a companion that  will keep you company, make you laugh till it hurts - Macaws truly are clowns. They're capable of speech if the bird feels like it but there is no telling what they pick up, so watch what you say in front of them.... Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:25:42 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-4a0510 suesueisme 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-e6653 <p>I love the blue and gold macaws. My male will ride on the handle bars of my bike and get angry when I stop for a rest. He gets a joke and laughs out loud. He loves yelling at the trick or treaters and knows to hold it until the door is opened! My female is a rescue who suffered a stroke at the young age of 1.5.  She is happiest without men touching her and hanging out in her outdoor aviary. They are just like people - such varied personalities.</p><p>We keep a large dog kennel in the garage for the rare inclement or cold weather and as a bed at night.  We line it with a natural type of pellet cat litter making full cleanings rare. We just scoop weekly and dump it entirely every 4 months.  We keep a peanut toy filled with nuts and provide a healthy diet of Kay Tee Exact Rainbow chunky pellet food as well as lots of fresh fruits and veggies.  NEVER any seed.</p><p>Parrots are long lived and many are popular as cage birds.  Care should be exercised however by selecting birds with known histories,...</p>... Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:40:04 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-e6653 buddysgirl 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-92920 As a breeder of macaws and cockatoos for years, I would recommend the Blue and Gold as a family pet over most of the other macaws, except of course a Hyacinth!  Hyacinths are the ULTIMATE of the macaws!!! The Blue and Golds do not seem to attach themselves to one member of the family as easily as some of the other macaws however, if they do, those that are not the favored family member beware.  Remember these guys can crack a brazil nut in a second!  Commonly the hand-fed babies do well in a family setting if handled on a regular basis by all members of the family.  However, as most love the novelty of having a bird that talks remember these guys outlive us in many cases so if you feel the novelty might be short-lived, select another pet as a companion.  Be prepared to have a lifetime investment of time spent with this animal.  These are the most neglected of all pet species in my opinion...people love the novelty of having a bird then the novelty wears off...you see the birds...... Sat, 17 Nov 2007 14:22:20 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-92920 tallyho 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-a0083 people say that they would rather have an african grey over a macaw because macaws get a bad rap, is what I believe. they are beautiful, smart, and just as good if not better then any other bird. It is all in the amount of time you spend with them and willing to help them learn. they are like having a kid and it is great... Sat, 17 Nov 2007 06:08:03 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-a0083 mammasmine 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-c75f <p>I took in a Blue and Gold Macaw last October when his owners had to rehome him.  They worked long hours, they lived in a condo, and were about to be evicted because the bird screamed so much.  They heard that I was wanting a macaw and also that I was an animal rescuer and very tolerant of bratty pets... so they gave him to me for free:  bird, cage, food, toys, and all.  They just wanted to get him into a good home.  Silly me, I took in a screaming macaw.  I wouldn't recommend that course of action to anyone but the most experienced of macaw owners.</p><p>Blue and Gold Macaws are also known as Blue and Yellow Macaws.  They are native to Central and South America but they are quickly losing habitat due to deforestation.  They are believed to have a life span of 80+ years.  BGs have shades of blue from teal to dark blue on their heads, backs, and wings while their chest and abdomen is a bright, vivid yellow.  Their faces have large patches of white skin with some black feathers scattered...</p>... Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:37:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Blue-and-Gold-Macaw-review-c75f njchicaa 4