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Hello all,
Wondering if anyone here is owned by a harlequin macaw.
If so please tell me about your experience with them, good and bad.
We'll be adding one to our flock soon and I'd love to hear more about them.

I also realize that many do not feel harlequins should exist, being a cross breed. Please be respectful and do not share those feeling in response to this question.
Just looking for people experienced with them.

This board can be a wealth of knowledge, too bad many have to
spoil it with mean postings.

Respectfully
Amy

w_amy_ wrote:... too bad many have to
spoil it with mean postings.

Respectfully
Amy

What you deem mean, some of us feel is for the good of the birds. I'm sure you would disagree with the adjectives I would put to your buying a hybrid, and -- at your request -- I won't.

Respectfully, Paca

Funny how some people just can't help themselves.
Paca, your feeling about purchasing a hybrid really have no bearing.
Hybrid or not all deserve a good loving home.
So would your response have been different if I had posted about a
Blue and Gold?

I would purchase this bird if that were the case.
We are adopting from a local rescue.
The process we've gone through for approval has been long and involved. We are very happy that such lengths are taken to find good homes.
Thankfully good homes are required for hybrids as well.

Amy

That you're adopting one rather than enriching a breeder of hybrids makes all the difference in the world. I must wonder why that difference escapes you. Nonetheless, I hope your rescue experience goes VERY well.

Paca

Good luck with your new addition. Hybrids deserve great homes too!

I do not have personal experience with Harlequins but a friend of mine has 2. They are pretty much like any other Macaw, can be loud, test their boundaries, and poop a lot Hers are very sweet to her (most of the time), but like I said, they like to test their boundaries and she has a few scars from it. I don't know if she (IMHO) should have these birds just because I feel like they are too much for her. You need a strong backbone and even stronger skin with a lot of them, especially a lot of rehomes, but with patience and understanding, they are great companions. Hers talk and sing a little, they dance, and scream, and don't really get along with her other birds.

They can be rather active and goofy (from the B&G side), but can be calm and reserved a little (from the Greenwing side).

Good luck with your new adoption!

Thanks for the info. I'm sure this will seem like endless "teenage" mode for a while. Rehomes take alot of labor, but are well worth it in the long run. I was hoping this site would be helpful with the challenges.

ParrontPlus wrote:That you're adopting one rather than enriching a breeder of hybrids makes all the difference in the world. I must wonder why that difference escapes you. Nonetheless, I hope your rescue experience goes VERY well.

Paca

Paca;

Keep in mind, some hybrids do occur in nature...Harlequins being one of them. I do believe it has been documented.

I understand both sides of the debate regarding hybrids but the fact is, they have been created and they can make excellent pets.

I can totally understand Amy's apprehension to ask a simple and well-meaning question—one that is to help a bird, when I see how some people bash the crap out of hybrids, hybrid breeders, or hybrid owners for that matter! I think it's okay to confirm and promote your beliefs but does it have to be so militant? Do some people have to dwell on it? I agree with Amy, if you don't like the subject—pass on it, no feelings get hurt and some people won't appear to be so ignorant.

Just my 2¢...

Bob S wrote:

ParrontPlus wrote:That you're adopting one rather than enriching a breeder of hybrids makes all the difference in the world. I must wonder why that difference escapes you. Nonetheless, I hope your rescue experience goes VERY well.

... some people bash the crap out of hybrids, hybrid breeders, or hybrid owners for that matter! I think it's okay to confirm and promote your beliefs but does it have to be so militant? Do some people have to dwell on it? I agree with Amy, if you don't like the subject—pass on it, no feelings get hurt and some people won't appear to be so ignorant. ...

Thanks for expressing your view, Bob, and asking about mine. For me, those who deliberately breed hybrids and those who create the market by buying their babies are like pornographers. The babies are their innocent victims. The "criminals" need to be reminded that they aren't welcome in bird-loving circles. The babies need protection and love, just as every bird fully deserves.

Paca

ParrontPlus wrote:

Bob S wrote:

ParrontPlus wrote:That you're adopting one rather than enriching a breeder of hybrids makes all the difference in the world. I must wonder why that difference escapes you. Nonetheless, I hope your rescue experience goes VERY well.

... some people bash the crap out of hybrids, hybrid breeders, or hybrid owners for that matter! I think it's okay to confirm and promote your beliefs but does it have to be so militant? Do some people have to dwell on it? I agree with Amy, if you don't like the subject—pass on it, no feelings get hurt and some people won't appear to be so ignorant. ...

Thanks for expressing your view, Bob, and asking about mine. For me, those who deliberately breed hybrids and those who create the market by buying their babies are like pornographers. The babies are their innocent victims. The "criminals" need to be reminded that they aren't welcome in bird-loving circles. The babies need protection and love, just as every bird fully deserves.

Paca

Paca;

So, if hybrids occur naturally, God/Mother Nature/Evolution/etc., is like a pornographer? Do I understand you correctly?

I appreciate your view, and please don't misinterpret mine... I just want to present another side to the issue. This debate will surely continue in aviculture far beyond our lifetimes.

I have seen photos that clearly show what appear to be either Catalina's or Harlequins in flight and perching in the wild. I have also seen photos of macaws at the clay licks and what appear to be Ruby macaws...

There are some bird-loving circles that aren't so narrow minded and are willing to discuss hybrids in a fair manner giving both sides a fair chance to present their view. Granted, the majority of bird boards are not like that...but, just like hybrids, some do occur naturally! Personally, I think the people that come off as being militant are offensive—they are showing borderline "bigotry", lack of compassion, and lack of self-control. I think if the arguement is presented in a fair and educated manner perhaps more people would listen to it and try to understand it—especially those new to aviculture.

Hybrids are not going to go away... they can be phenomenal pets it's up to us to give them the love they require and that we want to share...

Again, italics just added . . .

ParrontPlus wrote:Thanks for expressing your view, Bob, and asking about mine. For me, those who deliberately breed hybrids and those who create the market by buying their babies are like pornographers...

w_amy_ wrote:Hello all,
Wondering if anyone here is owned by a harlequin macaw.
If so please tell me about your experience with them, good and bad.
We'll be adding one to our flock soon and I'd love to hear more about them.

I also realize that many do not feel harlequins should exist, being a cross breed. Please be respectful and do not share those feeling in response to this question.
Just looking for people experienced with them.

This board can be a wealth of knowledge, too bad many have to
spoil it with mean postings.

Respectfully
Amy

INHO I believe all Amy is asking for is anyones EXPERIENCE with harlequins and NOT your opinions on hybrids. Amy is doing a great thing by adopting a macaw. She didn't ask for anyones views on hybrids, just your knowledge on them! If I asked for advice on adopting a mixed race child I wouldn't expect to be bashed for it!

featherfanatics@yahoo.com wrote:

w_amy_ wrote:Hello all,
Wondering if anyone here is owned by a harlequin macaw.
If so please tell me about your experience with them, good and bad.
We'll be adding one to our flock soon and I'd love to hear more about them.

I also realize that many do not feel harlequins should exist, being a cross breed. Please be respectful and do not share those feeling in response to this question.
Just looking for people experienced with them.

This board can be a wealth of knowledge, too bad many have to
spoil it with mean postings.

Respectfully
Amy

INHO I believe all Amy is asking for is anyones EXPERIENCE with harlequins and NOT your opinions on hybrids. Amy is doing a great thing by adopting a macaw. She didn't ask for anyones views on hybrids, just your knowledge on them! If I asked for advice on adopting a mixed race child I wouldn't expect to be bashed for it!

You're right!

All right... here it goes...

Harleys are great! I really think they get the gentle, more calm dispostion of a Greenwing and yet have the curiousity and need to be a part of all situations from the Blue and Gold. They're much more "predictable" and easy going than a Catalina or any other Scarlet hybrid...

Amy, I wish you the best of luck in this wonderful act! I hope it all works well for you!

I've seen harley's before, as well as catalinas, however can't say I have any experience with either one... I have however handled a blind ruby macaw, that as long as she didn't know it was me was fine handling her and petting her. She actually seemed more mischevious than a macaw who COULD see! She loves her toys, especially baby rattles, and is just spoiled! Now another one I've handled is a B&G hybrid, which they suspect is a miligold, and who has a crooked beak and has plucked herself. Due to her beak (another parrot bite) she does have a respiratory issue, however it doesn't seem to effect her physically. She's very sweet actually, and is rather easy to handle. She's one of those macaws which can be handled by just about anyone but you can tell who's her favorite person when he's around! She's a fantastic bird!

Am I promoting hybrids? No, just explaining just how great pets they can be!

Hello, I do not know much about them but. I though this might help.

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/feature ... /Frida.htm

Harlequin Macaws are beautiful!!