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Q. What is the life expectancy of the hyacinth macaw?
A. A domestically kept hyacinth macaw, properly cared for, should live 50 years or more.
Q.
What is the average weight of a hyacinth macaw?
A.
They range from 1300 to 1700 grams in weight. The average being 1500 grams. Males are usually slightly larger then females.
Q.
Does the hyacinth macaw talk?
A.
Yes, most parrots talk if worked with frequently. The hyacinths voice has a deeper sound to it. They have good talking ability and can mimic sounds.
Q.
Is it true the hyacinth is considered the gentlest of the macaws?
A.
Yes, the hyacinth, although the largest of the macaws, has the most gentle nature. They are not prone to aggression and have a naturally sweet disposition.
Q.
At what age is the hyacinth macaw mature enough to breed?
A.
A hyacinth is mature at around age 5 and although they will sometimes display all the signs of breeding behavior it is not common for them to successfully reproduce until 8 to 10 years of age.
Q.
How long does it take for a hyacinth macaw baby to wean?
A.
There seems to be a lot of controversy regarding when a baby hyacinth should wean. At Hyacinth Haven most babies completely wean at around 9 months of age. It is a critical stage in their life that should not be rushed.
Q.
Will a hyacinth macaw get along well with other pet parrots?
A.
That depends on the type of species being kept, their personalities and how they are introduced to each other. Most parrots seem to get along great with one another at some point, as long as they have their own space to go to. It is important to provide aggressive parrots a cage of their own and for there to be spacious enough play areas outside their cages to promote harmony rather then aggression. Until the situation is certain do not leave parrots out together unattended.
Q.
What does the hyacinth macaw eat?
A.
The diet of the hyacinth macaw consists primarily of nuts, lush fruits and some vegetables. It is also advisable to provide a commercial pellet diet designed specifically for the large macaw.
Q.
Is it true the hyacinth macaw is more likely to become ill then any
other parrot?
A.
No, that is not true.
Q.
How often does the hyacinth macaw molt its feathers?
A.
They molt and replace damaged, aged and clipped feathers year round.
Q.
Does the hyacinth macaw get along with children?
A.
Children should be supervised when handling any parrot. Take into consideration the age of the child and the overall circumstances when allowing children to interact with a parrot as large as a hyacinth macaw.
Q.
How is the sex of a hyacinth macaw determined?
A.
The only reliable methods of determining the gender of a hyacinth macaw is to DNA sex or to surgically sex them. There are subtle visible differences between males and females but they are too unreliable to depend on for accuracy.
Q.
How often should a hyacinth macaw receive a veterinary checkup?
A.
Checkups annually or every 18 months, that include bacterial cultures, are advisable. If recent blood work has not been performed an avian chemistry panel should be done which will provide a base analysis and point of reference for the veterinarian. If your veterinarian does house calls that is ideal. House calls are less stressful, will avoid possible exposure to disease and allow the veterinarian to see the environment of the patient.
Q.
Is it safe to wear jewelry when handling a hyacinth macaw?
A.
Yes, but it is probably not a good idea unless the jewelry is made of non-toxic material, has no sharp edges, is large enough not to be swallowed and you don’t mind them destroying it. Jewelry, eyeglasses, hats, hair accessories, buttons etc., all seem to be of great interest to the curious hyacinth macaw.
Q.
How often should I clean my hyacinth macaws cage.
A.
Cage cleaning should be done daily by keeping the cage bottom tidy and free of droppings and raw foods. A thorough cage cleaning with the proper use of a disinfectant should be done weekly.
Q.
Does the hyacinth macaw have a lot of dander?
A.
There is a minimal amount of dust and dander associated with owning a hyacinth macaw. Bathing your bird regularly helps to reduce the amount of dust as well as the use of an air cleaner.
Q.
Does a hyacinth macaw need to be groomed?
A.
Yes, they need to be bathed and have their nails trimmed. Wing clipping is optional but recommended if there is any concern about escape. Baths can be spritzing water from a spray bottle on them or placing your bird on a perch in your shower. Whatever method used, it will take a few times for your bird to adjust to these methods of bathing before you see how much they truly enjoy it.
Only a veterinarian, a technician or someone experienced in grooming parrots, should trim nails and wings. Most veterinarians will be happy to show you how to maintain the toenails so that you can do it every few weeks on your own. Sometimes a bird will learn to hold still while the nail tips are regularly filed before they become long enough to require actual clipping. Trimming wings can be a little more complicated and should be left to a professional.
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