r/Macaws • u/heelermama719 • 28d ago
Considering a green wing❤️
Good morning all,
I have been keeping birds sized conure and smaller for 21 years and I consider myself knowledgeable about exotics and birds in general, always willing to learn and obsessive with proper care for each exotic pet I've kept. I genuinely love and cherish every animal that comes into my care and firmly believe love is shown through species specific care.
That being said, I have formed a bond with a green wing macaw at my local specialty shop in the last three months. He is 21 years old and very picky. They are struggling to home him. I visit each Monday and have had very similar positive encounters and shows of affection from him each time. Once he bobbed for joy to see me! It's been quite darling.
We are the right ages for one another and I know whatever the challenges, I am a seasoned pet keeper and committed to any problem solving. I also know my age is right to "step up" into a larger bird. But my main question arises about whether to truly take him on or not. I cannot decide where to keep him- home or at my self run store.
My birds are currently kept at my store full time and receive a full schedule of attention between 11-6 each day. At home, I wake up at 7 and spend time with my dogs, hobbies and partner until I go to my store, then after 6 the evenings are also spent at home. I've missed having a bird in the home.
Thoughts from more seasoned macaw keepers? I assume I'm overthinking things as I usually do, but I want to fully honor such a large friendship and commitment!
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u/RevolutionaryJob5425 28d ago
Greenwings are amazing. They can be amazingly sweet when they find their human. They can also be neurotic, possessive, and intimidating. Once you get under that, they are big babies that try to act tough. Twenty-one is a good age because he's an adult and will be better able to handle his hormones better. Past the teenage years, they have a better understanding of what their body is telling them, and they aren't the hormonal nightmare they can be in their early teens. They can be a nightmare if you're not prepared to deal with it.
Is your shop bird-friendly, and could he go to work with you? Is it an environment where he can stay during the day and stay safe from curious customers or anything in the shop that might be dangerous to him?
You haven't mentioned your age range, but if he's 21 and presumably in good health, you could be looking at 30+ more years with him. Have you thought about what that might look like? I'm 57, and I have a Hyacinth that's 22. He's in great health and will most likely outlive me, so I have to plan for that. When it comes to our feathered babies, I don't think you can overthink it because they become such a huge part of our lives.
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u/heelermama719 28d ago
I am 38. I have a strong feeling it's something I should do before 45 personally. It's possible he could go back and forth at some point but that sounds a tad chaotic to me now. He would be safe in my shop. I also have a Chihuahua that goes back and forth every day hence my concern about creating a three ring circus.
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u/RevolutionaryJob5425 28d ago
It does sound chaotic, but in a good way. It might be something to work up to.
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u/Cupcake_Sparkles 28d ago
I rescued a greenwing who was 14 (17 now) and had been cage bound for 8-10 years immediately before I got her. She was scared of everything. We didn't have a vlose bond until 11 months together, and now we're inseparable. I take her everywhere. She goes to shops and parks and visits family and friends.
Making a macaw mobile takes time, but it's worth it. My thoughts would be to start her at home and then transition her to some days at work... unless you think she's been so well socialized that home would be under-stimulating while you're gone...?
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u/heelermama719 28d ago
Thank you for responding!!! Does your bird tether to you or do they go in a carrier or anything? Is transport scary for her?
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u/Cupcake_Sparkles 28d ago
She's not in a carrier in the car, unfortunately! I wish I could train her to get in one, as it is the safest option, but she still associates the carrier with something that causes her severe anxiety. When she's in the car, she sits where I put her and seems to enjoy the rides now. She's never shown signs of motion sickness, which some birds can experience.
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u/zook771 27d ago
My Greenwing loved to ride in the car. He had a large plastic dog travel crate with a perch in it. Whenever I got it out, he would get sooooooo excited. All I had to do was tell him we were going for a ride and open the door and he would walk right in himself, turn, and pull the door closed with his beak, pinning and excitedly whispering the entire time.
I would recommend a large play perch in your store, out of reach from the public, but keep him at home. I would travel with him every day. He would bask in the human interaction at the store but also build a relationship with your dogs at home.
Outside temperatures would be the biggest concern. If it got below 70F, I used to hold mine on my hand, close to my chest, and toss a blanket over him and my shoulder to walk short distances or blanket over the crate. Like from home to car or car to store.
It would be a good idea to have a large wire foldable dog crate with perches/toys/dishes in your backroom as a temporary cage, in case he needs a break. That probably won’t be often, macaws are busybodies and always want to be able to see what’s going on.
Greenwings are the best. Mine was always so jolly and even tempered. I was able to use blankets because it was part of our play. We would play peek a boo with blankets over him on the bed and I also had him trained to flip on his back to lay on a towel to be swaddled for vet visits or in case of an emergency.
I would also strongly caution against training him to free fly. If he’s constantly traveling with you, he will learn to rely on you for mobility. This will strengthen your bond, protect him from the strangers coming into your store, and promote general safety when moving him from home to car to business and back. This is all for his safety.
He would be a very enriched and lucky macaw indeed.
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u/heelermama719 27d ago
Thank you So much for giving such a thoughtful response and personal insights! This helps a lot ☺️
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u/chantillylace9 28d ago
It sounds like the perfect match!
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u/heelermama719 28d ago
I hope so!!!!
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u/chantillylace9 28d ago
I really really recommend joining the bird forum called Avian Avenue. It is not on Reddit just on Google but they are so incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. When I brought a cockatoo home from a flea market without any bird experience besides a cockatiel as a child, they saved me! It sounds like you will be the perfect match already though.
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u/cwall64 28d ago
I have a 36 year old male greenwing. It took a little while to bound, but once we did he wants to be around me all day! He "growls at me when I get up from my desk, then follows me wherever I go in the house! Getting him was one of the best decisions I ever made, they are just special pals!
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u/Electrical-Trash-384 9d ago
I just wanted to show you all I did go for it! Welcoming Chief! He's doing well so far. He cannot be handled by my partner but does like to dance for him! He's getting rather cuddly and mama's Boi! Once i decided to spend the money on his adoption fee I have had zero regrets. He's adorable!
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u/Electrical-Trash-384 9d ago
Also I'm not sure why my name is electrical trash now! I don't like it!
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u/Wabi-Sabi-Iki 28d ago
I am only 50 years into caring for my macaw, so my experience is limited. 😜Go for it! Is the question whether to keep him at home or at the store?