Hyacinth Macaws:

"A Real Gem of a Bird or A Nugget of Trouble?"

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.

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.