The Darling Hahns Macaw
Hahn's macaws are social animals that require plenty of human interaction in order to thrive. If left alone, they can become bored and destructive. Ziggy Our Scarlet Macaw can chew on toys and may even attack animals or people.
These medium sized birds are the smallest members of the macaw family and they are extremely intelligent. They are quick to respond to training and are great talkers.
Characteristics
Easy to train and fun, the Darling hahns macaw is an excellent choice for those who want to feel the joy of a macaw but do not have the space or funds to purchase a larger species like the scarlet, blue and gold, or green-winged macaw. These mini macaws are affectionate and smart with a great disposition. They need to be handled and socialized regularly, just like all birds. Macaws are known to nip when they are young, however this behavior will diminish as they grow older and become more socialized.
Like all parrots, the Darling macaw has a need for plenty of out-of-cage play time every day to stretch and exercise their muscles. They also enjoy learning new things and keep their minds active and helps prevent boredom. It is recommended that this bird be taught by a skilled trainer who is familiar with macaws as well as their habits.
The Darling Hahns Macaw is primarily found in the tropical forests, swamps and savannahs of eastern Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. Their green coloring camouflages them from the bushes of their native habitat. Nests are created in trees, mostly palms (Carya species). However, they have been known to use holes from other types of trees as well. The birds lay two to five eggs that hatch in 24 days. After two months, the chicks are weaned.
Like many macaws Darling hahns are excellent talkers if taught at an early age. They can master a repertoire of whistles, words and tunes and are especially adept at imitating human speech in a high-pitched tone. They also have a distinct call which sounds much like the sound of caricature laughter.
Darling hahns require a diet rich in high-quality fruits, seeds, nuts, and vegetables. They are fond of the berries of the black-sage bush Cordia aubletis and the paste tree flowers (Carya spp.). They will eat anything, but they love avocados, apricots, and mangos. As with other parrots Darling can be susceptible to diarrhea. If the symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian.
Care
Macaws are intelligent birds that love to learn. They are very easy to train. They are good talkers and have a large vocabulary. They can imitate human sounds and can even laugh at times. They are very playful, so they should have plenty of toys in and outside their cage. Rotate the toys to prevent your bird from becoming bored. Birds love bathing in shallow water, so a bowl filled with water should be provided to them regularly.
buy macaw need a lot of exercise, both physically and mentally. This can be accomplished by letting them fly in an aviary that is large or taking them on regular play sessions. They can also be taught to climb and use claws to open doors or latches in order to be able to get out.
Since they are extremely social creatures they make excellent pets for families with children. If they are properly tamed and trained they will be gentle with the children in the household. Young macaws are more likely nip but will calm down when they get older. However, they are strong enough to cause serious harm therefore it is crucial to nip bad habits in the bud before they first occur.
As they develop their own feathers, the birds may become angry and territorial. It's like when a teenager gets agitated and trying to elude their parents. This is a normal part of the growth process, and can be a source of frustration for new owners. As they reach maturity, this behavior will subside and they will once again be a strong bond with their owners.
It is important to purchase a well-bred macaw from an accredited breeder. These birds are not usually available in traditional pet stores, and should be obtained from a breeder who will provide references and details about the condition of their cages and parent stock. This will ensure that your pet is happy and healthy. Breeders should be able answer any questions you may have about caring for your bird.
Feeding
Hahn's Macaws require lots of attention and interaction. They are highly intelligent birds who love to talk, play and learn. They must be able to communicate their passion or else they'll end up being destructive. This is why having humans as a companion is so important.
In the wild they are programmed eat from the canopy of trees and therefore, a home owner is likely to feed them with food items that are high in protein and nutrients. They are advised to eat a mix of fruits, vegetables and pellets. Table scraps can be fed to them so long as they're nutritious and aren't sweet or fatty. Some of the foods that are suitable for giving include broccoli, spinach, kale, carrots, chili peppers, squash and apples. They are omnivores in nature and can be fed many different nuts, seeds and grains as well.
These macaws will also need lots of space to climb and fly. A variety of toys within their cage and outside their enclosure will help to keep them entertained and happy. They should also be allowed out of their cage at least two hours a day, but 3-4 hours is ideal. If they don't exercise enough there are health risks that can develop like respiratory infections, and self-mutilation.
A Darling macaw needs to be kept in a spotless environment. The cage should be cleaned daily and all feces and other droppings must be removed. The cage should be kept away from heat and drafts. It is recommended to place the cage in a room that is at or below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Darling hahns Macaws can be vocal, just like all parrots. This is especially true at dawn and dusk. They will squawk loudly for brief periods of time and will call out to their flock. The bird will squawk even louder if he is not satisfied with his surroundings or isn't receiving enough attention.
If a pet macaw is suffering from behavioral issues, it's typically because something isn't working in their lives. They aren't content when they don't have a partner, don't receive enough exercise or interaction and aren't fed the right type of diet. These problems can often be solved by taking the time to establish trust with the macaw and creating a stimulating environment.
Training
These birds are highly intelligent and easily trained. They are also playful, fun and affectionate. But, like all macaws are, they have a hard adjustment to a change of environment and require a lot of interaction with their owners. If they do not receive adequate attention, they could begin to exhibit behaviors that are difficult to correct.
They need a spacious cage that allows them to move around freely. They are most effective when kept in pairs as is the normal bird's behavior. The cage should have plenty of toys that can be cycled in and out, to avoid boredom and keep them engaged mentally as well as physically. These birds are awestruck by the ability to talk and mimic, and they can be taught a variety of phrases and words. They also are believed to have a bigger tongue than other parrots, which could enable them to understand human sounds better.
It is important to begin training your macaw as soon as you can, while it is still young and eager to learn new techniques. It is important to use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior and deter bad behaviors during training sessions. Macaws are very self-protective and may become scared if they don't feel safe. It is essential to understand the body language of your macaw and how it communicates with you so that you can spot signs of fear or aggression and nip bad behavior in the bud before it becomes serious behavioral problems.
As a pet owner who is new it is essential to establish a relationship with an avian veterinarian as early as possible. Regularly checking your macaw's health can help prevent serious diseases and illnesses that could turn fatal. An annual exam should include a fecal examination and blood tests. Psittacosis vaccines, Avian Bornaviruses and Polyomaviruses are also recommended.
In order to be a healthy, happy pet macaws need to be given 2 hours of playtime and interaction every day. This is a lot of time for most families and when you don't have enough time to provide your pet with the care it needs, it's likely to be better off finding a new location for it. Providing your macaw with this regular daily interaction will enrich the bond between you and your pet. This ultimately result in an improved, healthier and happier animal.