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Question for all you macaw owners...

I've had a miligold now for about a month. She gets lots of attention and play time with me. She is learning tricks quickly and doing great. I have an upcoming overnight trip out of state for a reptile expo. I'm still debating on whether to take her with me.

I will leave early Saturday morning 6 am, be gone overnight, and return about 3pm on Sunday. If I left her at home alone she would basically be alone all day Saturday and all night Saturday night and part of Sunday.

My question is - would she be ok with this or would it freak her out?

If I take her with me she would have to stay in a hotel room and possibly go to a reptile expo with me. She does travel well and loves to ride in the car. I've taken her on longer trips with me, but it was to stay with a friend that she knows. She would make the trip just fine, but it would be a lot more convenient for me if she could stay home.

Please note that this is a once in a blue moon thing, I am NOT asking if its ok to leave my macaw alone all day every day and ignore her.

Thanks,
Chad

Many a bird owner has left thier birds at home for a day or two, stocked up on food. Other's feel more comfortable with someone coming in and checking up on their birds.

Your macaw may not understand why you are leaving and could very well be upset about it. Likewise, even in a pet hotel, I doubt anyone would be all too happy with the noise of a macaw, if she were to make a lot of noise... and being around reptiles is not a good thing. Reptiles carry salmonella which can be harmful to your bird.


If you leave her at home, do you have anyone who could check on her once or twice a day while you are gone?

If it were any more than one night, I would not even consider leaving her alone. Honestly I will probably give in and take her with me when all is said and done.

I really don't feel comfortable with someone coming in to check on her, if it were a multi day trip I would let her stay at someone's house that she has visited before. This is at least her third home and I think dropping her off at a strange place would make her think I'd given her away. I think that would be more or at least as stressful as one night alone.

I don't trust the security of hotels. Even if you put a Don't Disturb sign on your door, her noise will signal that something of value is inside. If maids come in to clean, their chemical cleansers can harm her.

You say you aren't comfortable having someone check on her at home, but didn't say why, and I'm having trouble imagining why. I've never left my birds unattended overnight. Scares me to think ... Were your decision mine, I'd skip the expo this year w/o a second's thought. For sure.