upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I have been researching the internet about Macaws on and off for the past yr + now. I do have bird experience but nothing larger than a Congo, and Goffin. I am getting closer to actually getting a Macaw but want to make the right decision for the bird, and our family. I do have children. The youngest being 8 yrs old and the oldest 15. We are a rather busy house but am home quite a bit with me being a stay at home Mom. I have come across Severe's and B&G's in the store, emailed breeders etc but each owner praises how well behaved and perfect their birds are. I keep hearing how Severe's can be nippy though. For those who have either of these species which would you recommend? We do have other animals, cats, dogs etc so like I said we are one busy and often LOUD family of 6! I do prefer to adopt a older bird vs a baby. Personal preference I guess since all my birds have been second hand birds in need.
Thanks,
Chris

Well the severe is so compact and the B&G is so much bigger! Lots of room for cage, bigger toys, bigger BIG. What's a little nippy between friends? I don't have experience with severes, but they remind me a lot of conures (which I do have and they can be NIPPY!)

You just never know who will steal your heart Major difference is SIZE, although both can be LOUD, the bigger birds can be LOUDER and the smaller birds can be a little screechier

Joanne

I have experience with both, and although the B&G is much larger than the severe, their personalities are more accepting, mellow, than the severe. Severes typically (I know this is a generalization--but it's one that is true more often than not) ONE PERSON birds, and they are downright nasty to those who are not their chosen person. Not a good bird in a home with children.

Thanks for the replies. While the Severe is more compact etc I do worry about the kids. I don't want a bird biting me when the kids get to close. I have a son w/ special needs that just adores birds, as much as he adores his Mom and likes to be near me whenever the birds are out w/ us. Now the next question related to age. Babies are nice, but my thinking is a mature bird might show more of his true personality. While a baby can't be guaranteed. I do know a lot has to do with how they are raised. Any comments on this?
Thanks,
Chris

Have you considered a redfronted macaw? Their personalities are more akin to the B&G, but the size is closer to a severe.

Carefully look for the right match for you and your family. I adore the B&Gs they are my most favorites. And you have received a lot of really good messages here. It is really great that you want to take in an older bird instead of a baby, because there are so many that need a really good home. Now the larger macaws can be very loud and since you have a busy, active home, if you can handle the joyous chorus that a big macaw makes I think you would be really happy with a B&G. They are such happy clowns that really want to be in the middle of a happy active family. All birds can be loud, so if you chose a Severe, don't expect it to be quiet, it just might not be as loud as a B & G gets. Good luck and happy hunting for just the right fid for you and your family. There is one out there for you to love the rest of your life.

Hi, I know I'm not normally on here but one of the ladies that is asked me to come on as I've had experience raising and have both the severe's and the B&G's, Severe's as babies are very sweet but as they get older and bond with their person will and do tend to bond to one person and are usually pretty agressive with others, and their bites can be very cutting. The B&G's are a lot mellower with more people however they can even tend to bond to one person as they age. The 8 year old is the one I'm more concerned with as a bite from either bird can do serious harm to a little one. And I know the younger B&G's can be pretty rambuncous and can get rough in their play even, which is a normal thing for them, they don't mean to hurt you but those nips do hurt even if it is play and on a child it would hurt even worse. Plus the noise level with macaws are a lot worse than with a grey or a goffins. I know I've also raised greys which are very quiet birds and I have two goffins and they are quiet birds up against a macaw IMO. There is nothing like the roof flapping scream level of a happy macaw and a severe can and is as bad as any conure ever was for noise level when they cut loose, it is about like fingernails on a blackboard after a little bit. I would STRONGLY suggest that you do a LOT of research and be around a lot of different ones before even thinking about bringing one home. They aren't what I normally would suggest for a family with smaller children in them. And don't get me wrong in some households and with SOME children the right bird will work out, but it's been my experience that most people become unhappy with their choices after a few months and wish they had went a different route. I've also done a lot of rescue of these unwanted birds because of that here in the midwest. So research and then research some more so you will be completely happy with the choices you make. and I sincerely wish you all the very best on this. And I want to thank Alex for asking me to come over and try to help you. Thanks Alex that was a very caring thing to do. Oh and I had to come back and also suggest like Alex did the Red Fronted macaw they are another good choice but again research research research is the key word here.

I appreciate you coming on here to offer very sound advice I might add. I'm taking things slow and plan on reading,researching more. I would consider a Red Front, but since I don't know anyone in this area breeding them haven't read up on them. My kids have been around birds since birth basically. We have taught them how to behave around animals, and they do know the unpredictability birds can have/possess. I know someone with a Hyacinth Macaw and know how LOUD they can be! LOL I thank you all again for your advice.

Please keep us posted and let us know what you decide!

Hi - And it all depends on how youung you get the
Severe. I got my Merlin when he was 4 1/2 months old. He bonded the same to both me and my at the time 12 year old son. The severe's tend to bond to the whole family and no others after they are totally weaned.
They want a lot of attention and can be quite mischevious. And VERY loud when they want to be. Merlin does not nip anymore but he likes to let me know when he's aggravated and I just don't handle him then till he decides he wants to be sweet. Which usually takes no more than two minutes. Ha ha.

Now my son is in college in Georgia and I'm in Florida. When he comes to visit it's just like he never left as far as Merlin is concerned. Merlin loves us both to no end. Now the B&G can be handled by my son. Has never bit him or anything but my son just does not really care for him. Occasionally my son would take a nap on the sofa and I have seen Merlin get down from his playground climb up on the sofa and sit at the top of his pillow looking down lovingly at my son totally asleap and unaware that Merlin was ever sitting there watching him sleep. Merlin could stay there for 30 or 40 minutes just watching him sleep.

The severe's seem to be a passionate bird. They do everything with such gusto and spunk. They can run like lightning across the foor. They can scream louder than a B&G, they love you with all their heart, they can be docile and flexible doing summersalts on your lap.

By comparrison the B&G's are quite docile and calm. I have attached some Merlin stories here from several years ago. and if you would like visit my site and all the pages to get an idea of the severe behavior by what is written. I would not get a rescued severe with children but a baby could prove to be a delight for your whole family providing they stay involved from day one.

They have the attitude love the one you're with so they get handled more often and will switch their loyalty in a heartbeat for their chosen several.
Hope this helps some.

Merlin is meaner than anything I have ever seen to anyone other than me and my son. It is rare to find a Severe who will socialize outside of his immediate family. Now here are the Merlin Stories they are very funny and very true.


Merlin Stories

Merlin and the Candy Dish
A severe will get off the playground find a way to get on top of a hutch and lift a very heavy candy dish lid and proceed to help himself to chocolate kisses that you thought were totally safe in that place. They usually get caught in the begining though because they are very vocal when they have found a way to obtain the forbidden with eeeeeeeee- Look! Look---- OHHHHHHHH. After a while they learn to be quiet so they won't get caught. They are very very smart little devils.

Merlin the Money Thief -
For about 6 or 7 months US currency that I had set down on the coffee table was always missing. Singles, 5's, and 10's. It was only me and Jamie in the house so who do I blame? He swore he'd never steal from me but he could never give me an answer as to where the money was going till one day he happened to go into the living room and found Merlin on the coffee table taking a couple of bills. He got me out of my room saying I think I know who's stealing the money. We snuck back to look and we watched Merlin take the bills, climb down off the coffee table and run over to the sofa and squeeze way under it and leave the money and come back out with an emty beak. Jamie and I then moved the sofa an found about $48 dollars. I appologized profusely to Jamie when the real thief was finally caught in action.

Mischevious Merlin The Homework Destroyer
Jamie used to love doing his homework on the coffee table in the living room with the birds out on the playground. Merlin would get down on the floor, walk over to the coffee table, climb up on top of it and sit and watch Jamie lovingly writing away. Till he turned to look at the TV. Then Merlin would steal his pencil and off he'd run through the house - and severe's can run very very fast - till he was under the dining room table or somewhere where Jamie had to get down on his hands and knees and he'd drop the pencil. Because Merlin had no need of the pencil at all. He just had to detain Jamie long enough to run back and get the homework paper and proceed to chomp it up with beak holes and see how much of it he could shred before Jamie got back. Needless to say Jamie finally had to do his homework in his room after I got tired of sending the teacher notes asking her to forgive the condition of his homework cause the bird got into it.


Merlin Did NOT Get A Nut

Merlin and I were alone in the car going to the pet shop to get his wings and nails done. I was talking to him about stuff in general and I told him we were going to see Nancy and he liked Nancy and she gave him nuts while Jamie and I were on vacation. Merlin said "No." I said "Sure she did. She gave you nuts. " Merlin said "NO." I said Merlin I KNOW she gave you nuts." Merlin got annoyed and said "NO!!! NO!!!! NO!!!!" I said "OK, I guess Nancy didn't give you nuts." Merlin said "K" (sort for OK) meaning he finally agreed with me. I told him Nancy will give you a nut today if you're a good boy when she does your wings and nails. Merlin said "K" for OK. I changed the subject.

So we get to the store and I started telling Nancy how I was telling Merlin that she gave him nuts while I was on vacation and before I could get out the part that Merlin said "NO" She said "No I didn't give him any nuts. Just breakfast and dinner. Only Lewette gave them the nuts at bedtime when I wasn't there."

So off she goes with Merlin to do his wings and nails. I was busy shopping and after he was done I paid and as we were pulling out of the parking lot Merlin says "NUT". I said "Did Nancy give you a nut?" Merlin said "NO!!!!!"
I figured I better believe him so I said "Did you ask Nancy for a nut?" Merlin’s response was "no." I said "Merlin you have to ask for a nut then if you wanted one. I'll give you one when we get home but next time make sure you ask Nancy for a nut." Merlin said "OK"

Well a few months went by and I took Merlin back for another wing clip and to get his nails done. I had completely forgotten the incident from the last time till I went to take Merlin from Nancy and she said "Oh Merlin told me he wanted a nut so I said I'd take him in the back and let him pick one out."

He remembered after ALL that time to ask Nancy for a nut if he wanted one. Every time she did his nails from then on till the shop closed Merlin asked her for a nut and he got one.


Merlin Makes a Mess
Jamie used to get home from school about an hour before I got home from work and as soon as he got home he'd get the birds out and set them on the playground. At the time I had just BJ, Perry the parakeet, Mozart and Merlin. By this time we were well aware of Merlin’s love of Mischief so the living room was devoid of candy dishes, odds and ends, what was left of TV remotes, and anything else that could possibly spark an interest for destruction including Jamie doing his homework. However it was Monday and Jamie failed to notice the Sunday paper sitting on a chair
in the living room.

Well the Atlanta Journal Sunday paper is huge as far as local papers go and Merlin could not resist the opportunity to see how far and wide he could spread that paper all over the living room and sun room and then proceed to chomp it up in little pieces, tear it up in huge pieces and spread it around wall to wall. Now Severe's work quickly and he only had an hour before Mom got home. Maybe a bit more if she stopped for milk but he wasn't too sure if they were out of milk today so he really had to go to town and hurry, hurry, hurry to make the mess of all messes before Mom got home.

Now by this point in time he knew he had to be quiet. Schreeches of delight like Eeeeeeeeeeeee and OH LOOK!!!! would send Jamie running into the living room to spoil all his fun. So determined and in utmost silence he set out with his task. After all, he was entertaining the other birds behaving nicely on their playground with nothing much to do but chew on the same old toys. So his back was turned and he was busily tearing and shredding and spreading trying to leave no sign of carpet anywhere in sight when Mom walks through the front door.

I look at my home in horror - papers all torn up hanging from the chairs, on the sofa, all over the floor, big pieces, little pieces, paper everywhere and Merlin with his back turned busily proceeding to make the mess even bigger and spread out even more. So I yell MERLIN!!!!!!! and Jamie runs out of his room and down the hall while Merlin slowly turns around looks at me straight in the eye and yells back at me " WHAT DID YOU DOOOO!!!!! "

What else could Jamie and I do but laugh so hard we couldn't stop. The little rascal had not only finished my sentence but made it impossible for me or Jamie to reprimand him because we were too busy laughing hysterically.

Merlin's Got To Give His Kisses Away

When Merlin joined our flock way back when, he was just 4 1/2 months old and just learning about the world and other parrots besides his initial playgroup at the breeder. Now Severe's thrive on interaction. It can be from any handy human that happens to be home at the time but if the human's are busy then another bird will just have to do. They NEED to cuddle and show affection. It doesn't matter either if the subject of their affections wants or needs or despises their friendliness. They just have to do it anyway.

Well Merlin had learned how to kiss and that was it. If he wasn't kissing me or Jamie the next best available kiss receptor was my sweet little conure BJ. Now BJ had her own little pal, Perry the Parakeet, that gently lavished her with attention, preening, regurgitation, love and kisses. She adored her little Perry and was not a little runaround accepting advances from other males. She was a loyal and devoted partner. But Merlin was gonna change all that - or do everything in his power to try.

They shared a nice large two level playground that had a ladder giving them access to either level at this time. So he'd go up to BJ and try to sneak in a kiss or two. BJ would turn around, let out a shriek and run to the other side or down the ladder just anywhere to get away from him and his advances. But it's hard to stop a Severe once they have their mind made up as to what they want to do. So in hot pursuit he'd quickly follow her up and down and all around the playground till he could get close enough to catch her. Then he'd take his huge Macaw foot and hold her by the head just tight enough to keep her from wiggling out of his grasp. Then he'd dispense his kisses, smacking sound and all, all over her beak as she shrieked and hollered and tried to escape.

Of course each and every time I had to intervene in BJ's behalf. When he saw me coming he'd let her go. And we'd go though the same ritual. "No Merlin - you can't do that to BJ." Merlin would look at me and question "No?" "No, BJ doesn't like your kisses." Merlin would get that poor little Merlin look on his face and question "no?" again. "No BJ does not like your kisses. You can't catch her and hold her down and kiss her like that. No it's not nice" And sadly Merlin would repeat. "no, ok,no" and walk off to
ponder why in the word BJ did not like his kisses and why in the world it was not nice to give them away. After all - he didn't hurt her. They were just nice big Macaw kisses. We'd usually go through this routine once or twice a day.

Luckily for BJ, Ollie came along to join our flock and now Merlin had a bigger and better pal to occupy his time and energy. Ollie also came with another playground made of Manzanita wood so it was decided at that time that the two macaws would share the playground that Ollie couldn't chew up in a few hours and Mozart, Perry and BJ would share their original two tier playground. Merlin never once tried to grab Ollie by the head and hold him still to give him kisses. I wonder why? Could it be that Ollie's head was bigger than Merlin's foot?

Link to my site http://www.geocities.com/merlinmacaw

I loved reading those Merlin stories! He is a character INDEED! LOL