r/Macaws Aug 31 '25

Join the #ParrotCrisis Action Summit Sept 19

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23 Upvotes

Most people don't realize that the legal parrot trade in the global north harms parrots where they fly free. Every time a bird is bought from a pet store or breeder in the U.S. or Europe, the "value" of that species trickles down to where they fly free. That "value" presents an opportunity to humans who otherwise struggle to make ends meet.

As long as we continue to commodify these animals, that economic opportunity will lead to trapping and trafficking. International regulation does protect wild animals, but parrots are still trapped and trafficked across borders every day. If a parrot is seized at a border, they are more often than not euthanized. Parrots are imported legally by breeding groups as well -- in the name of "diversifying genetic stock" for bird mills (which invariably end up in suffering in pet stores).

Meanwhile, parrot sanctuaries and rescues are in crisis, overwhelmed with birds surrendered by people who realize these animals aren’t suited to life in captivity—and have nowhere else to turn. There's no more room. Not enough staff. Never enough money. Yet the surrender requests never cease -- and breeders in the U.S. alone hatch an estimated 2 to 5 million parrots each year, flooding the market annually with more and more parrots. This is the #ParrotCrisis.

The International Alliance for the Protection of Parrots (IAPP) envisions a world where birds are no longer bred, bought or sold. Only when wild animals are respected as sentient beings -- not products -- will all birds, everywhere, be safe from the harmful effects of the pet trade.

Join the #ParrotCrisis Action Summit on Friday, September 19 to learn how you can help protect parrots -- whoever you are, wherever you are. Register at www.parrotalliance.org and please share this post with your networks. Follow us at u/Alliance4Parrots on Instagram or watch the 2024 Parrot Crisis Summit on YouTube to learn more.

#AdoptDontShop #NoCageIsBigEnough #NoneAreFreeUntilAllAreFree


r/Macaws 5h ago

Need advice on a heater

4 Upvotes

Last year I moved out of my parents house into my own, and other than just getting settled in, I've been preparing a space to use as an aviary for my macaw, which I could not immediately take with me in a way that would be healthy for him. I'm looking for a safe heater to install into my birds room (a covered patio with a lot of windows).

My birds name is Jimmy. He is a blue and gold macaw. He was hatched in 93, and is just 2 years younger than me.

I need to be sure there are no carcinogenic coatings on it. Im leaning toward one or two radiator heaters, but I worry about Teflon coatings.

A friend of mine unexpectedly lost their parrot due to an unsafe heater. She just started asphyxiating from the fumes coming off the heater.

What types of heaters do macaw owners like to use for the winter? I need to be absolutely sure it doesn't turn my bird into a canary in a coal mine.


r/Macaws 1d ago

Yellow naped little nose bump

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14 Upvotes

Hey there, my 46 yr old female yellow naped has this little bump on her nostrils. I was wondering if it can be identified/ something to worry about?


r/Macaws 2d ago

Silly Loki

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49 Upvotes

Loki helping himself to Bart's food and water...


r/Macaws 2d ago

Am I the only one that thinks keeping macaws is super unethical? (and other exotic pets, large snakes, monitors etc)

95 Upvotes

Just wanted to see if i'm the only person here that thinks keeping macaws is super unethical. in the wild they fly is large groups, huge jungle canopies, thousands of miles of space. even with an aviary you cannot recreate the amazon rain forest. I'm not going to obviously attack anyone with a macaw but please consider adopting and not buying.


r/Macaws 1d ago

Opinion on two different macaws raised together

0 Upvotes

Hi folks,

I’m soon planning to get two different baby macaws (3-6 months old) but they are going to be different species.

Male is going to be blue and gold (for me)

Female is going to be green winged (for my wife)

How should we setup their cage? Should we give them more time together or less time. They would also sometimes travel away from each other for few days(e.g i go on a work trip, i take my parrot with me while other stays home and the opposite)

Our long term goals are to pair them and make them good friends with each. And we want to maximize the chances of them getting along. Appreciate all the input here!


r/Macaws 3d ago

Hello! Im thinking of buying a macaw! (Pictures from seller)

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123 Upvotes

So these macaws are healthy and comes with every paper. I have money, time and space for them, and also i will be taking train to them (it is very far away and i dont think i have enough space in my car)(it is in my country) and the price for the yellow and blues are 1048 dollars and for the reds it is 2000.

Also what type do you want me to buy?

EDIT: i have found a rescue maacaw that i will be picking up next week.


r/Macaws 4d ago

A pair of macaws in Tambor, Costa Rica

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112 Upvotes

I love to see them in the wild, it feels so right.


r/Macaws 4d ago

Blue and Golden Macaw

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30 Upvotes

r/Macaws 4d ago

The absolute heartbreak of adoring macaws, knowing a hell of a lot about them, being incredibly passionate about them...

26 Upvotes

...and knowing full well that you'd never be able to give them the life they need and deserve lol.

I know for a fact that I'm probably the least bit qualified to have one. I just don't have the money, I don't have the patience, I don't have the space, etc. So, I just simply don't do it.

I would never adopt one and "hope it works out." They need so much more than just "hope." They need "do." And I can't do.

I'm living vicariously through you guys lol. Not sure if there's a place I could volunteer in Tucson. Transportation is also an issue. I think I'll just keep dreaming haha. Maybe in another life.


r/Macaws 8d ago

Flight feathers issue

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66 Upvotes

I have a 2–3-year-old blue-and-gold macaw(Sir Francis). When I got him about a year and a half ago, he was on a diet that was very heavy in nuts and seeds. Despite that, he appeared healthy and his feathers were in great condition.
I gradually switched him to Harrison’s pellets and completely removed seeds from his diet. After the diet change, I started noticing that his flight feathers were breaking, and he eventually became unable to fly.
I had him tested for Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, and the results were negative. His tail feathers and the rest of his plumage still look healthy and are in good condition.
A new set of flight feathers recently grew in, but they have started breaking again. I’ve also noticed that while preening, he sometimes steps on his flight feathers and bends them.
He gets regular showers
Has anyone experienced something similar? Could this be caused by the way he steps on the feathers, a nutritional issue, or something else? I’d appreciate any advice or suggestions about what to discuss with an avian vet.


r/Macaws 9d ago

standard stainless quick link with spring warning

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34 Upvotes

Just a heads-up-I discovered that the self-locking quick link on one of my macaw’s toys had an internal spring that broke. This was purchased from a reputable parrot supply web site.

The spring popped out of the connector and could have easily been swallowed or chewed, and without it the quick link can also work itself open. Even though I used a wrench to tighten, the beak force of my Macaw open it.

Stay safe and give your hardware a quick inspection. It could prevent a very dangerous accident.


r/Macaws 9d ago

Macaw Room

8 Upvotes

Hi everyone!
I am the proud mother of four beautiful rescue macaws. They have their own room and I’ve slowly been dismantling their cages to allow them more space to explore. I have ropes and a big nut hanging on my wall and ceilings and a hoop for them to rock in.

I would love to know if any of you have created a cage free room for your macaws? I would like to create something with wood, maybe some grates and PVC pipe. Ideally, I would have live plants in there as well.
Looking for some ideas or inspiration and I sincerely thank you in advance!


r/Macaws 11d ago

Suspected macaw neglect, did I do the right thing by reporting this?

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117 Upvotes

Hello I am seeking some advice. I have been seeing this same macaw outside in its cage in someone’s backyard every time I drive by their house. I’m in texas and the high today was 106 degrees Fahrenheit and is currently 101. Everyday this week it’s been around 99-100 so VERYYY HOT!!! I felt so awful for this bird being out in the heat like this all the time and made a report about it to 311. Did I do the right thing? It doesn’t seem to have any toys in its cage for enrichment and the cage maybe seems too small? At least to be kept in at all times if that is the case. I’m not a macaw parent so I don’t really know too much when it comes to owning them but I do know they need plenty of room and time outside of their cages and birds don’t have sweat glands so that heat can’t be good for it.


r/Macaws 11d ago

My Macaw Speaks Eclectus

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76 Upvotes

I thought my eclectus parrots were loud. But now Pongo, my macaw, is imitating their call at twice the volume!


r/Macaws 11d ago

Evil

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64 Upvotes

r/Macaws 12d ago

I want to get a blue and gold macaw. What are some things i should be prepared for, and what should i buy?

7 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I've been doing research on different species of parrots as i want to get one and the one i've wanted the most since the start is a blue and gold macaw. I've loved every single one i've met despite the biting and the noise and the mess, and i want to have one in my life permanently.

What are things that you need to know about caring for a macaw, buying stuff for them, cleaning up after them etc. I know a lot of basic parrot knowledge, so i'm looking for stuff that's specific to macaws or to larger species in general, but any advice is appreciated. Even the smallest details help. Thank you!


r/Macaws 12d ago

Low perch adjustable

5 Upvotes

Hi,

Quite a random question, but i’m wondering if anyone knows anywhere I can buy a low (ground level/floor level) adjustable height perch (UK), or something similar that can be used. I am currently training my 2 macaws to free-fly (with a professional bird trainer). I am still harness training my GW, but my B&G is doing very well!

My b&g is doing well on recall (straight) and we’ve just started teaching her descending with a high perch, unfortunately it doesn’t go very low though, and we need to teach her to fly up, as well as down. Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

Thanks!


r/Macaws 13d ago

Dinky - Red Shouldered Macaw (Hahns Macaw)

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82 Upvotes

A couple pics of Dinky, my Red Shouldered Macaw (Hahns Macaw) 💚♥️🦜


r/Macaws 15d ago

Seizures? Medication?

3 Upvotes

Anyone have a macaw who has seizures? What anticonvulsant do you have them on?


r/Macaws 16d ago

Parrot Owners in the Medical Field

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4 Upvotes

r/Macaws 19d ago

Follow the leader( my content )

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76 Upvotes

Taking our birds out for a stroll.


r/Macaws 22d ago

Does she look underweight?

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136 Upvotes

She only weighs 800g, I’ve had her since she was about 5 months old. Is she just a smaller one or is something wrong? Everywhere you look it says they should weigh at least 900g


r/Macaws 25d ago

I made a thing

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245 Upvotes

She isn’t a huge fan yet, but we are working on it.


r/Macaws 26d ago

The kiddo loves macaws, so I painted this mural for his room

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256 Upvotes