Hyacinth Macaws:
"A
Real Gem of a Bird or A Nugget of Trouble?"
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Despite the very large size
of the Hyacinth Macaw, they really have very few behavior problems.
Unless of course they haven’t been properly socialized and trained as
chicks.
Training and socialization
is strongly recommended for these beautiful birds not only to build a
bond of trust and establish the rules and social order of the home but
because these gentle birds are not aware of their own strength.
If they’re not trained to keep their beaks off of people at a young age,
they can do some pretty severe damage. |
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The good news is they’re very
inquisitive, intelligent, and social which means they’re fairly easy to train
even as older birds Socialization is a must whether you obtain your
Hyacinth as a chick or as an adult.
During sexual maturity, between two and four years of age, the males in
particular can become rowdy however this isn’t the norm. They’re fairly calm
birds with an even temperament.
They’re generally not known to
scream, though they can be fairly loud in the mornings and evenings when they
typically chat with their flock. Screaming isn’t an issue unless they feel
threatened. If a screaming habit does develop, or a biting habit, look to
your own behaviors and what might be influencing your macaw.
For example, if your Hyacinth Macaw bites you and you yell and cause a ruckus,
which might be natural because a bite is bound to hurt, your Macaw may enjoy the
show and repeat the behavior.
The most common behavior problems are screaming and destruction. Hyacinth
Macaws generally scream to get your attention. They are not low
maintenance birds and require a fair amount of your time and attention.
If you’re not giving it to them,
they may try screaming to get you to play with them. Wanna stop the
screaming? Don’t give them attention when they scream. It won’t be a
miracle cure, they’ll test you several times, yet if you ignore the screams for
attention, then they’ll eventually stop.
Chances are your Hyacinth Macaw is continuing to scream because you’ve
unintentionally encouraged the behavior. Intentionally ignore it, have
patience, and it will go away. Don’t forget training goes a long way
towards preventing any undesirable behaviors.
Chewing and destruction is also a common problem. Hyacinth Macaws are
natural chewers and they have strong beaks which can destroy your favorite couch
in mere seconds. While there is no ‘cure’ for chewing you can offer
acceptable alternatives and encourage them to chew on appropriate items like
toys designed specifically for strong Macaw beaks.
In addition to behavior problems it is always good to know what potential health
issues a bird is prone to. Fortunately the Hyacinth Macaw is a very hardy
bird, especially since they are so expensive.
They are however susceptible to some
common parrot ailments. Any sign of illness such as lethargy, change in
personality or weight, watery eyes or nose or difficulty breathing, take your
Hyacinth to the avian veterinarian immediately.
Hyacinth Macaws are a true gem. They sparkle like a sapphire both in
plumage and in personality. Rarely do they have an illness or behavior problem
and when they do exhibit behavior issues, they’re generally very open to
training. They just wanna be loved. |