I have been searching on a good deal on a cage for Shelby.I REALLY want to seperate the two.I can get this cage for $100.It has a playtop which will be great for her
She would spend much of her tome outside the cage..all my birds do.Do you thing this cage would work for awhile? until I can save enough to purchase a bigger one?
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment

It looks pretty big and in decent shape (but where's the bottom tray?) Do you know the actual specs/ details on it?

It does have a bottom try...the height including playtop is 6ft(that including part is what concernc me bit). the rest is 4ft by 4 ft.The bar spacing is 1 inch, which is the same as the one they share now.She would be going from a double macaw cage to this one..which is by far smaller.But will have the entire cage instead of sharing it with big bully Sebastion.

The only thing I worry about is becasue the macaws have that long tail! but if it is a temporary thing, then it would probably be ok..why di dyou decide to separate them?

sure looks big enough to me from the pictures anyway.

Another thing........................how the heck do all you people find these great buys on cages????? Man, I can't ever find stuff like that

Since it looks like the dining room chair would fit... Shelby probably would too

I think that would be fine for her... if you're worried you can switch Shelby and Sebastian once in a while so that the other one gets the big cage

Your big guys are out almost all day anyways... so I wouldn't worry about it.

LOL thats why she took the pic next to the chair LOL To show the size better.

A few reasons for seperating them
#1 I DO NOT want to breed.There are enough of these big guys in desperate need of homes...i don't want to add to that.
#2 He is a BULLY!!!
#3 we are seeing issues with jealousy.The more he excepts me as a friend...the more she backs away from me.I believe this is more for her protection the out of aggression.If she keeps me away...the he doesn't have to chase her away..which is what he does every time I get near her.He WANTS ALL the attention.
#4 he will be easier to handle and less bull-headed without her in the same cage.
#5 #6 #7 #8 #9 He is a BULLY to her BADLY and I have had enough!

DITTO!!

I would ask Andie about this and other Macaw owners. I would really think you would want a cage that is at least 6 foot tall. That is just my opinion. I don't own macaws, but I know if I owned one it would have the height as the most important factor with that long tail. Then the width needs to be wide enough that with wings out stretched neither wing touches the sides. That is a good rule of thumb for all birds. Tall enough for extra tail room, wide enough they can turn and flap with wings out stretched.

Can you see it for real before you decide? The 2nd pic looks like there might be paint issues, or it's just dirty

That was my thinking too. I don't know what Shelby's wing span is, so just make sure she can stretch out. And I'm terrible at judging size from pictures...lol

Well her tail measures 16 inches..once I straighten out the curls that Sebastion put in it
Wing span is 36 inches..well thats about all we could measure(and keep from bleeding lol) so maybe add an 2 or 3 inches..4 ft wide should give her enough room to spread her wings.
The cage they are in now is 6 ft at the peak of the dome..even on the lowest perch in the cage it leaves her tail at least 10-12 inches from the bottom grate.And that perch is pretty far down in the cage.They won't really use any lower ones.Except for target practice
I am going to look at it first, but the cage is 70 miles from home...so I really don't want to make the trip alot.Thought of taking her...but she is still too jumpy and nervous for car trips just yet..especially one so long.

We just bothered the birds for weights.I know its bed time..but its the only time they are calm enough to stay still LOL
Sebastion weighs in at a massive 1525 grams and Shelby at 1450 grams.
I had to get my book out because compared to Dodgers 93 grams this seemes CRAZY..but normal range is 1200-1700 grams.The last vet visit with them they where slightly under that at 1150 and 1100..He wanted to see them gain some weight..I guess they did

WoW, I guess they gained weight. YaY for you! or YaY for them....LOL

I imagine alot of that gain has to do with the begining when I had to bribe each of them to step up..or down..or anything for that matter They were gettin quite a few nuts in the first few months.We are noe=w cutting back on those Only time I need bribes now is to get them to step down
I tell ya, those talons can get a great grip when they want too.

Just to add that most of the wing flapping happens when they are out on the stands..or in the shower The kids want to teach them to do it on cue...because it makes a good fan

Must be from all that closet raiding! Wow, I've never held a macaw, I think the biggest I've held was a Pionus. I'd love to see what a Macaw feels like

Keep in mind these are one the largest of the macaws..just slightly under the Hy's and not by a suprising margine.Perhaps only 2oo-300 gram difference in avaerag and a slight difference in wing span by an average of 5 inches or so. I will honestly say I have a hard time holding both birds on the same arm LOL


Could very well be from the closet raiding Well, i you ever make it this far south you welcome to feel mine

LOL Catherine, that was my thinking!!

I've seen Greenwings before in person but never held one. They are so beautiful. I'm happy to hear that they've put on some weight. Sounds like they are at a great range now

sounds to me that you have taken into concideration all I have said. So with that said.. if you think it will work.. go for it.



I imagine the bird is out a good part of the day. That also means a smaller cage can be acceptable, but they still need wing and tail room.

After reading your post is what prompted me to measure her wing span. I am just worried about how she will react is all.Moving from a cage with him to another one.But I know its whats best for her.She has become so scared of him that she cowers in the corner of their cage When they are out on a playstand together..if he starts bulling her and I pick her up she WILL not go back to the same stand with him.Seems she would rather be away from him........
]But I am also wondering how he will react to not having her.Can my ears handle the screams until he gets uded to it??? We shall see......

I think you'll have to put up with some screaming if it has gotten to the point that she is flat out afraid of him. And they'll still be able to see each other. It sounds like it would be in everyone's best interest to get them in different cages, even Sebastion's to make him have less of a superiority complex.

The sad part is at other times you can witness the deep love and bond they have for each other I have people keep telling me that the male dominance thing is normal for bonded pairs...but that doesn't mean I have to watch it or accept it.

They kiss each other...actually licking one another.So I know they are in birdie love.As well as the preening each other.He will wrap his wing around both of them as they preen each other.Who knew birds kiss and hug??? At least mine do LOL but the next minute he will darn near attck her and I want to see her have the chance to be a bird...instead of spending her time in worry over when he will go at her next

Hey Angie,
I think that cage would do good and it's a really nice cage.
If you decide not to get it let me know. I'm looking for a new cage for Pita and Ray and I will be coming through St Louis in a few weeks. Because we are going to Ohio to see my family.

Great find on the cage and I hope Shebly likes it!!

I think you are making the right decision, Angie. I've known bonded pairs (who have been bonded for years) where the male will suddenly kill the female out of frustration and hormones.

Although what you just described there sounds so darn sweet. That must be wonderful to see Of course, the attacking part of it isn't so wonderful.

I thibk I have a pic of him with his wing around her...Ill post it in another thread when I find it

I posted some in photo discussion

I know we are more then likely going to buy it.Its too good a deal to pass up.If it turns out to be too small for her....and I can't talk hubby into that severe . I'll let ya know

I knew there was motive to your madness....LOL....regarding the Severe! LOL

You sly thing you!

Ooo- I would love a Severe. Can't have one now, though.

Regarding the separate cages, though- there's no reason they can't be together out on the playstand etc. This way, though, you have the ability to supervise them when they are together. With an animal with known aggression problems, I wouldn't let them out together without someone there. Mac has dog aggression problems but the two love playing together- we just make sure that they are in their crates when no one can watch them.

I have been trying to talk hubby into it He seems to think we have our hands full with the fids we have.Believe me I wanted SO bad to help Andie out and give Sammy a home (still do) but hubby still isn't keen on the idea....yet

Just finished cleaning and scrubbing the cage.Its in GREAT condition and HUGE!! What it lacks in height it makes up for in width.Have 3 perches 3 tiys and a foraging box in it as well as a rope and a swing.Wish me luck on the seperation

So far so good She is climbing and exploring Sebastion doesn;t seem to mind having her in another cage.....YET

I just caught this thread, and I think you made the right decision. Just keep an eye on the paint and bar integrety. A green wing could easily tear thru that cage I think (I believe I have seen this cage in person). Now, not all have any interest in doing so, you might be just fine.

She isn't as destructive as he is...which is why she is the one being moved.For the price, i think it will las long enough LOL
Just have to replace the nuts with lock nuts or get some lock tight.She won't chew her way out...she is going to take the darn thing apart

Just remember to do the separation thing slowly...start with them sided by side but with enough space between them that they can't touch beaks etc. Then Gradually move them farther and farther apart

I must add, I played with a GW yesterday, and boy, he was SOO much fun !!! Nicco is just the wildest, craziest, nuttiest, zanniest, entertainingest bird !!! He just bounces of the walls of his cage, hanging upside-down, shaking his bells, breaking new toys, ect. Now he is kinda a one person bird, so I tend not to play/pick him up, as I am rightfully respectful of his beak. Well, yesterday, he keeps putting up his foot, and saying Come Here !! over and over. This other guy puts out his hand, and of course Nicco runs right up this guys arm, and onto his sholder. I of course see a possible hospital visit coming, so I immediatly extricate this guy from Niccos nefarious intentions. I placed him back on his stand, but then he start his regurgitation for me. Well, so now I know he atleast likes me LOL. So I step him back up, and we proceed to play and have a good time. He would drop off my arm, and hang by his beak. Or just hang upside down. He loved it when I picked him up by his beak, and lightly swung him, then got his feet back, and swung him around a number of times. He was having a BLAST !! It finially came to a point where he was tired, and kinda bit down a little hard (that finger is still a little sore today), so I put him back on his tree, where he proceeded to pant for the next 15 minutes LOL. Nicco's mom told me she had NEVER seen him so sedate and worn out. She didn't KNOW he could be LOL.

Well, I guess the point to all this is, you are lucky to share your life with TWO of these fabulous birds !!!