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Hi everyone
Does anyone know the personality of a hahn's macaw? How about as a first bird? They are on birdtalks top list of first birds for teens so they should be a good bird for teens and adults right? I want a playful bird, one who is a good family bird, and likes to be scritched. Thanks

They are a very playful bird with a lot of personality. They can also be very loud and generally aren't great talkers.

really? i've heard hahns macaws are really good talkers. doesnt matter to me if it tlaks though

My hahns is lovable, loud, snuggly and talkative. He doesn't say a lot of different words but a handful. Also makes a lot of noises, like burps, crunching (like chewing potato chip or pickle), laughs and mumbles a lot. He likes to play but would be on me 24/7 if I let him, He is a great watch bird and lets me know if there is anything strange in my yard. The one thing they can be nippy. They need to be well socialized as a youngster so they don't become one person birds. They can pluck some, mine has but not a lot. Mine is a picky eater.
This doesn't mean they are a this way. Find a good breeder and go see them for yourself!

If you want a first bird, I highly recommend a Hahns They are a small package with all the fun of a big bird attitude and fun. Another good starter bird is a Timnah African Grey, if talking is important to you. If you get a Hahns or a Timnah you will not be disappointed, just as long as you remember that they live a very long time, bond to their loved ones tightly and require a life long committment. Don't get any bird unless you are willing to have that bird as your constant companion for the rest of your life. And if you are a teen, remember you will go through a lot of changes. If you marry, you must make sure that you future will alway welcome your little feathered friend. Vet bills can be expensive, and you must take into consideration all future expenses, because you can not skimp on the bird's care and well being at all. Anyway, good luck with your new baby and have fun.

Hi Pamela,
Well, I really can't deal with the dust of a bird, like a grey, or tiel. Are they needy birds? I want a playful, loving bird. i like caiques too. Do you know if they would make a good "first bird?"

I started out with a hahns found by someone on their husband's boat. The bird was obviously sick and I took it to a local bird vet who worked with it for a long time at no charge. Unfortunately one of his staff took the bird home but not before I had fallen for it. I now have 9 pair including one in my bedroom who talk quite well. Peaches and Herbie know my name well and call me Diane. She's kind of jealous of me because he is so friendly with me. They are terrific birds but just be careful that you do not start giving the bird a lot of attention and then leaving it alone more and more like a new toy. If you start out with a little less and talk to them whenever you can, they do talk well - just in a different voice. The last clutch I had last year, all three would ring themselves around my neck while I watched TV and they slept. I absolutely love them. I have senegals, caiques and a blue and gold macaw - macaws have wonderful personalities and are very intelligent. Senegals are sweet too and a lot more quiet. A group of hahns can make a racket but I don't think one is that noisy. Good luck.

I started out with a hahns found by someone on their husband's boat. The bird was obviously sick and I took it to a local bird vet who worked with it for a long time at no charge. Unfortunately one of his staff took the bird home but not before I had fallen for it. I now have 9 pair including one in my bedroom who talk quite well. Peaches and Herbie know my name well and call me Diane. She's kind of jealous of me because he is so friendly with me. They are terrific birds but just be careful that you do not start giving the bird a lot of attention and then leaving it alone more and more like a new toy. If you start out with a little less and talk to them whenever you can, they do talk well - just in a different voice. The last clutch I had last year, all three would ring themselves around my neck while I watched TV and they slept. I absolutely love them. I have senegals, caiques and a blue and gold macaw - macaws have wonderful personalities and are very intelligent. Senegals are sweet too and a lot more quiet. A group of hahns can make a racket but I don't think one is that noisy. Good luck.

I have to say that if I was going for a first bird, and I wanted small, I would lean towards a Hahns Macaw. As long as you do your home work and realize that any bird is going to require a life time of comittment, you should be fine. Caiques are fun birds also. But whatever you pick spend time with and get to know the species in and out so you can make an educated choice.

I have read so many species specific books, except for mini macaws and caiques, but i will be getting books soon! I've read about poicephalus and cockateils, conures, budgies, pionus and i have many birdtalks and some basic birdcare books. There doesnt seem to be alot out there in terms of hahns macaws

luvthembirds wrote:I have read so many species specific books, except for mini macaws and caiques, but i will be getting books soon! I've read about poicephalus and cockateils, conures, budgies, pionus and i have many birdtalks and some basic birdcare books. There doesnt seem to be alot out there in terms of hahns macaws

See my reply to your Pionus post...

If I remember right, I believe there were some articles in some much older Bird Talk magazines on Hahns and mini macaws and Caiques. It has been a couple of years since I have received any bird talk magazines. But I would think if you go on the internet you might find out what issues had the articles. I use to keep all my bird talk mags, but since I have been up rooted so much (from the west coast to the mid east to the east coast, back to the mid east, back to the east coast, and now in Utah,) I found there was just so much I could move from one place to another. I will do some research and see if I can find some material for you.

There was an internet magazine that provided great advice called Birds R Us. Now it is called Winged Wisdom. There is an article by Bill & Sandy Harrison in the April 2000. Go to http://birdsnways.com/wisdon/ww45e.htm You will find information on the Noble and Hahns macaw. I personally like the Hahns, but probably because I have raised the Hahns, but not the Noble. Go to Google and see if there is an article on the Caique in the same internet Mag. Do all the research you can because that will better prepare you for your future companion.

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/16eiv.htm
This is an article on Caiques. If you go to www.birdsnways.com you should be able to pull up a long list of different and very good articles to help you. Hope this helps.

Pamela wrote:There was an internet magazine that provided great advice called Birds R Us. Now it is called Winged Wisdom. [...lots of good stuff...]

Corrected URLs on caiques and macaws.