Hi everyone

[macawmaster]

I have never owned any birds in my life but I have been on forums. Once I was on avian avenue. They were not helpful. They simply discouraged me from getting my dream bird, the catalina macaw. I have been doing my research for a while. I told them that they should stop arguing me as it is my decision. I got kicked. That is why I came here. I hoped I could get some help. If anyone here is going to discourage me then please be nicer then avian avenue. The bird cage size I want is 6 ft tall, 4 ft wide and 4 ft deep. I wanted to know if the cage I could buy is okay if it is made of wrought iron. I only plan on keeping my bird in the cage when I am not there. The cage should only be a place they can retreat to when they are tired or sleepy. I believe the bar spacing should be 1" to 1 1\2". Am I correct. I have 2 months to get advice and after that I'm getting my parrot. I also plan on getting a green cheek conure for my little sister. She is very young to take care of a pet so I will be helping her. I will try to monitor them for the safety of the gcc. I also wanted to know if it is okay to have a bird shipped from JC Aviary. They say that the shipping is very safe. Should I or not? If it is absolutely required for me to get a smaller parrot then I will get one. But remember that there is no suck thing as a tarter bird. SOrry for typos.

[The Pinkertons]

Hello Frocko, Welcome To Our Community.

I'm sorry you had a Bad Experience on the other Companion Bird Forums. You will come to find over here at Precisely Parrots, to be an understanding and supportive group .

We have amongst our Members some very Knowledgeable people who have years of experience, in the welfare of Macaws. In a nonjudgmental environment. I'm sure someone here, will be helping you shortly with all your Macaw questions. Once again welcome to our community!

Best Regards, Suzanne

[Mare]

Welcome, Frocko! I'll look forward to meeting your new baby :)

[PlaxMacaws]

Hello Frocko... welcome to PP.

Shipping birds via the airline pet transport services is relatively safe. And that should especially hold true for high volume bird producers such as JC Aviary. I wouldn't worry about it as long as you are able to be at the air terminal to immediately receive your bird as it arrives. The main thing for you to concern yourself with is doing all of your research - which is what you're doing now, and that's great.

The cage size you mention is adequate for a large macaw. And yes, 1 to 1.5 inch bar spacing is appropriate for a large macaw. Can you provide us with a link to the particular cage you are considering?

I should warn you that once you have possession of both of the birds you've mentioned (the large macaw and the conure), please be very careful if and when they have access to one another. As your baby macaw ages, the likelihood of it injuring (or even killing) a physically accessible, smaller bird will increase. A human guardian merely being nearby is often not enough. So please use safe practices in this regard.

May I ask what your household and family situation are like? You mention your younger sister... so am I correct to assume that you live with your parents? If so, what is their feeling about your acquisition of these birds?

[Maddy]

The replies you got on your thread on Avian Avenue were very helpful, they just weren't what you wanted to hear.

Frocko, you are so young. I think it is a wonderful thing for young people to want to care for birds. Heck! I was a year younger than you when I got my first bird (10 years old). I wanted an African Grey, that was my dream bird! But I got a budgie. She was not at all a starter bird for me, but she was my teacher. She helped me through my first months and years of bird ownership. We learned together. I owe everything to that little bird. <3 While I had her, I also had 3 other budgie friends for her, and a Green Cheek Conure. My little flock was wonderful. Weasley passed away in 2013, and I was beyond heartbroken.

I'm not saying to get a budgie (although they are amazing little birds), but you really should look into some smaller species. And I'm not trying to discourage you from getting your dream bird. When you are older, go ahead and get your dream bird! One may come along your path that really needs a home. Guess what? I have my African Grey! And a Cockatoo! They are both sweet birds that I adopted, and I adore them both. <3

[mdg1109]

Hello Frocko, welcome to Precisely Parrots, I have not heard good things about Avian Avenue so I wouldn't worry about being kicked it was probably a blessing in disguise. I do not know anything about larger birds but I applaud you for doing your research and learning things before jumping in. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Lady]

Hi Frocko,

:pp_welcome:

Nice to meet you. I don't have a large Mac but a mini. So you only have two months before you get your bird, that's exciting. How long have you been researching about the Catalina Macaw? Have you met any in person? Macaws are quite large and I have read they are not for the inexperienced. Is the one your planning on a baby? Have you picked out possible names yet?

Plax has already addressed your question about the cage size and bar spacing but as for wrought iron, there are down sides to them as I'm sure you have read. From what I have read and seen in my bird, they use the bars to do their climbing about from the food and water bowl as well as to get attention. So getting one that is safe and well made is very important. I am always looking at cages myself. My Lady likes to hang out in her cage so it is important for me to keep my eye out for a better one.

[Cedardave]

hello and welcome.You won't find a better place to be than right here.The cage you describe sound like a sufficient size.I think the best advise is go as big as you can.My cages are all powder coated..im not sure if wrought iron will rust or not.A picture may help.Bar spacing and bar thickness usually go together..be sure the bars are sufficient strength to hold your macaw as she ages.Shipping by air is usually very safe...its easier than getting the bird to fly to you on its own...trying to read a map and fly...just to hard for a baby.Generally the birds fall asleep during the flight anyway.Catalinas are beautiful macaws.I echo what has been said already about keeping the two birds completely separate...one second is all it takes to alter their lives.Looking forward to seeing some pictures when the big day arrives

[Penny]

I think it's a commitment that you can't even imagine right now. It's so much different for any other commitment I have ever experienced, and it is truly as rewarding as it is challenging. If it's a baby, my best advice is to watch kids shows with him/her. :magic:

[Macaw Lover]

I am glad to know that you have narrowed down your choice to a Catalina, especially from wanting a Hy at your age. Just be aware that a Catalina is a cross between a Blue & Gold and a Scarlet and that Scarlets are more nippy of a bird. With you being fearful of bites and nails scratching you, you need to take this into serious consideration.

Wrought iron will rust. I have some railings inside my house that never even seen water/rain and there is rust on them. Rust can kill a bird. I know that was about the only thing you could buy 30-40-50 years ago but the bird world has learned a lot since then. You need to get a powder coated cage but Macaws can still chip/chew that off and it can/will rust in those places. Safest for the big guys is the stainless steel but there again, not the cheaply made ones coming out of China. They use a lower grade metal that does rust.

Are you still planning to be gone a full month after only having gotten your baby one month earlier?