Blue and Gold Macaws, The Complete Owner’s Guide on How to Care for Blue and Yellow Macaws, Facts on Habitat, Breeding, Lifespan, Behavior, Diet, Cages, Talking and Suitability as Pets

By Rose Sullivan

All the facts and information you want to know on how to care for Blue and Gold Macaws and more. A superb resource to answer all your questions, this e-book is a must have for anybody passionate about Blue and Yellow Macaws. In a straightforward, no nonsense fashion, Rose Sullivan covers all aspects of caring for these wonderful parrots - including training, health, price, habitat, breeding, lifespan, adoption, behavior, cages, size, talking, diet, suitability as pets, the equipment you need and responsibilities as an owner. The e-book is written in an easy to read and understandable style with wonderful color photos and is full of sound advice and answers to your questions - including some you didn't know you had!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evolution Knowledge Limited
• Release date: Dec 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781909820296

Book preview

Blue and Gold Macaws

The Complete Owner’s Guide on

How to Care for Blue and Gold Macaws

Facts on Habitat, Breeding, Lifespan, Behavior, Diet,

Cages, Talking and Suitability as Pets

Rose Sullivan

Smashwords Edition

Published By EKL Publishing (UK)

Copyright 2013 By Rose Sullivan

ISBN 978-1-909820-29-6

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Foreword

Hello and thank you for buying my book.

I hope that this book will provide a straightforward and practical guide to caring for and understanding Blue and Gold macaws.

Included in this book is information about training, handling, health, housing, breeding, lifespan, personality, temperament, diet, suitability as pets, the equipment you need, and responsibilities as an owner along with a care sheet and costs involved.

I have written this book using American spelling as that is what I’m used to. I have given measurements in both feet and inches/pounds and ounces and also in metric. I have also given costs in US$ and GBP. Both the measurements and costs are approximate guides. I have done my best to ensure the accuracy of the information in this book as at the time of publication.

I trust that after reading this book you will feel more confident about owning and looking after a Blue and Gold macaw and that you have a wonderful time enjoying the pleasure they bring in the years to come!

All good wishes,

Rose Sullivan

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank everyone who made this book possible: My family, who seeing my frustration at the misinformation often provided online about Blue and Gold macaws encouraged me to write this book. I must also acknowledge the many rescuers who work long hours to save parrots and other birds and who inspired me.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank the friend who inspired this book: My beloved Blue and Gold macaw, Maggie, whom I adopted when she was only a year old. She has been with me through the ups-and-downs of life over the last 15 years and I look forward to many more years of enjoying her company.

Table of Contents

Commonly Used Terms

Chapter One: Introduction

What are Blue and Gold Macaws?

Facts about Blue and Gold Macaws

Types of Blue and Gold Macaws

History of Blue and Gold Macaws as Pets

History of the Parrot Society of the UK

History of the North American Parrot Society

Chapter Two: Making a Purchase

Financial Considerations

Other Considerations

Buying a Blue and Gold Macaw

How to Select A Healthy Blue and Gold Macaw

Male or Female: Which should you get?

Should you get two birds?

Chapter Three: The Right Choice?

Pros and cons of owning a Blue and Gold Macaw

Chapter Four: Home Sweet Home

Basic Cage Requirements

Cage Placement

Sleeping

Accessorizing the Cage

Chapter Five: Bird Proofing Your Home

Chapter Six: Diet

Pellets

Foods to Avoid

Treats

Mineral Blocks

Diet Changes

Vitamins

Feeding Your Blue and Gold Macaw

Chapter Seven: Daily Care

Bathing

Cage/aviary cleaning

Nail clipping

Wing Clipping - To clip or not to clip?

Chapter Eight: Training

Talking

Flight Recall Training

Chapter Nine: Veterinary Care

Finding a Vet

Interview Potential Avian Vets

What happens in an emergency?

Typical vets costs each year

Annual Exam

Chapter Ten: Common Health Issues

Signs of Sickness in a Blue and Gold Macaw

Common Health Problems

Potential Behavior Problems

Chapter Eleven: Travel and Your Macaw

Transporting Your Large Bird

Time Away from Your Parrot

Coming Home Again

Chapter Twelve: Pet Insurance

Chapter Thirteen: Care Sheet

Chapter Fourteen: Breeding

Raising Baby Blue and Gold Macaws

Chapter Fifteen: Common Mistakes

Chapter Sixteen: FAQ’s

General Care

Buying Blue and Gold Macaws

Feeding Blue and Gold Macaws

Breeding Blue and Gold Macaws

Health Concerns

Chapter Seventeen: Life After You

Finding a Permanent Home

Making it Legal

Chapter Eighteen: Websites

Shopping

Food

Treats

Mineral Blocks

Breeders/Adoption

Care

Health

Travel Carriers

General

Photo Credits

References

Commonly Used Terms

aviary: An outdoor enclosed structure where companion birds are housed for their protection, or a facility where birds are bred for pleasure and for sale.

aviculture: The keeping of birds as companion animals and all the tasks associated with their husbandry.

cage: The secure habitat in which companion birds are kept. Due to their size and activity level, blue and gold macaws should be allowed as much free flight time as possible, or have a secondary aviary habitat outdoors.

companion bird: Any species of bird that is kept as a pet and lives well in companionship with humans on a daily basis.

crop: This sac-like structure is responsible for the preliminary stage of a bird’s digestion. It sits below the esophagus and above the stomach. In chicks, the crop is clearly visible as