We went to the aquarium today and they have 2 Hyacinth Macaws on display, they came from a place called "Crystal Garden" which was a garden conservatory that closed. I am not sure how old they are but wouldn't be surprised if they were wild caught.

Aren't they the most striking bird?? I just love to look at them and they can be so sweet. But they can be pretty mean too. My mentor had one that he had on permanent foster...The lady left her and a cockatoo with him and continued to pay him for their board but didn't want them back but he was to try and sell them...but they had to be sold as a pair and not separated. I got her to let me hold her one time and that was it. This same bird also took a finger off of a young child who wasn't being watched closely by her parents and the girl stuck her finger in the cage and Cleo got her, took the finger off just above the middle knuckle ...luckily they were able to have it reattached...

But if I were a rich person, I'd love to own one.

Thanks Cathryn for sharing your photo's with us...

Oh my word! They are beautiful.
I've never seen those.
Thanks for sharing.

OMG! I just searched for hyacinth macaw and found this ad. This price can't be right and if it is, it's quite sad because some idiot who has no clue will buy them just because they are gorgeous. The people breeding them can't have a clue if they are trying to sell them at 5 weeks old. Hyacinths take a loong time to hand feed and wean which is why they usually cost so much

Hyacinth

Beautiful and a little scary,lol!! I love birds, but the ones this size really do intimidate me a bit.

Cathryn that has to be a scam...if they could afford both parents and are only selling the offspring for 500.00 then something is definitely fishy. Hyacinths don't wean until they're around 6 months old if I remember right. So if they're trying to sell them at 5 weeks yikes...

Hyacinths also have a very specific diet and it isn't cheap I just hope that unknowing people don't get sucked into that scam.

I think you're right, it's a scam, I should email them and play along just for fun! I've read anywhere from 8 months to 2 years to wean a Hyacinth and the chick mortality is quite high

That is so scary too think that something of that stature is going so cheap, and taking a chance like that...
But they are beautiful birds tho.

I got to see and handle one at Parrot Mountain in Pigeon Forge, TN. They are beautiful birds but also very expensive. Don't really know to much about them other than at one time they where near extinction. Have made a come back because of breeders.

I thought I had seen this kind before and I had. The place I have gotten both my bird from has a pair. If I can and asked I will post a link up to thier site and you can see them in the pictures they have posted.
Yes they are big birds and very intimidating. But Wow! they are nice.
Who ever that is selling them in the ad above is doing a dis service to the bird.She has a very tame one shown in her picture. Because she made it so. I do not think anyone but someone who knows what they are doing should have one. Her ad makes them sound tame. All birds are still wild no matter how "good" they are and a bird that big should not be sold under the pretext "Both are very sweet birds. Raised around family, kids, dogs etc and given lots of attention to be well socialized birds" This may be so but as Andie's mom points out around kids might not be a good idea.

When you meet them up close their size is freaky. Here's one of the pair at our local shelter. I notice our guy has less yellow. Hmmm. Age difference?

Click to view attachment

Notice the heavy gauge wire? I know, galvanized is bad, but...*shrugs*..I try to keep a civil tongue. They are so strong they have chewed through the thick metal wire and it's had to be patched. Now that a strong beak!

Catherine, I had my grad dance at Crystal Gardens. LOLOL. I was so sad to see it go. It was a wonderful place.

Now if you want that blue (sorry, no yellow, but thexthy pink...*flails wrist*) without the bone crunching beak...

Click to view attachment

@ @ Mrs. Kenobi!

That's a pionus, UZ? I love their short, chunky legs- like a caique's. beautiful blue- perhaps a bit of grape koolaid in her next bath would.. um... thpread the thexthy.

Interesting Ron.... does your local shelter work with another shelter on the Island? There used to be 2 there that have disappeared.

I went to Crystal Garden once about 15 years ago, it was beautiful but I don't remember the birds, just the little monkeys. Yes it was very pretty, not many places like that left around.

We had a Blue Crowned Pionus at the rescue, he hated my guts He's a very senior guy at about 28 years old and was recently adopted to a nice family to live out his years.

Adorable , but I am sure not too keen on those big beaks I would say that they would be rather intimidating ....but BEAUTIFUL looking fids..

Jen I am envious. Is that your B/G macaw. I would love to have one sooooooo bad. Would like to have a Quaker also, but having a hard time finding one. They are illegal in the state of KY

Absolutely gorgeous birds. But, I have to comment on the ad too. Actually, most ads on those types of classified "get a pet" sites online.

I know about this site: www.mytoos.com and I think EVERYONE considering buying any bird- from finches to large parrots should READ it. Yes, Toos are arguably, perhaps, the most emotionally difficult to manage of all birds. (in general) (hats off to you Mark, for being home with her and doing it ALL because I know I couldn't- I grew up with one and know I don't have the gift my dad does, and certainly not the lifestyle with a busy and growing family. In fact I am on this forum because I am not certain I could be better then "good enough" for a qp). So, this site is aimed at folks who want to get a Too but it gives a good, general reality check for anyone who has got it in their head to go out and get a bird. It makes me so very upset to hear that all too common refrain that "a budgie is a great starter pet for a child". I am sorry, but cats are MUCH LESS work to care for properly then any bird I have ever met- unless you are throwing breadcrumbs into a pond at the park.

And then, for the birds, all the birds- the prayer for parrots:
http://www.mytoos.com/prayer.shtml

Don't get me wrong- I am all for having responsibly bred and weaned birds sold as pets to the general population. I love birds, and I would be happy if more people loved and kept them as happy and enjoyable pets. But, I also firmly believe that like buying a gun, there should be a mandatory wait period and basic education before anyone can go out and buy any kind of pet. I am glad this forum is here and there is so much education and support available for all of us. But it just tears me up inside to think of wild caught birds, surrendered birds, plucking and mutilating birds, people losing fingers, eyes, ears, chunks of flesh. IT IS ALL AVOIDABLE! The right people need to adopt the right kind of companions for THEM, and they need to have the support and education needed to have healthy, enjoyable, happy relationships for both person and pet.

I think that toos site says it all- though very bluntly. New bird owners, and most are good hearted, well intentioned people- they just don't have any idea what they are getting into. Bird puberty? I said WHAT? One thing leads to another, and the road to hell is paved with the best of intentions. It could all be prevented if too many people (any people actually) weren't making dollars in the pet "industry".

BTW- that vancouver aquarium is AWESOME! I took my daughter a few years ago, she STILL remembers and talks about it. Its my dream to have an indoor aviary like THAT ONE some day (well, smaller, but a few stories, tropical plants and a waterfall would be nice!). Hahaha- I'd live in a log cabin and the birdies in Taj Mahal! Tee Hee, I would hang out in THEIR space all day with my tea and 'puter!



J

the macaw is not my bird its at the one bird park i went too.. ps lots of ppl here(in SA) want quakers but i think there are only a few around