The Darling Hahns Macaw
Hahn's macaws are social animals that require plenty of human interaction to thrive. If left alone, they could become bored and destructive. They will chew toys and even attack people or animals.
They are intelligent and medium-sized birds. They are quick to respond to training and can be extremely good at communicating.
Characteristics
Easy to train and fun, the Darling hahns macaw is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to experience the joy of a macaw but does not have the room or the budget for larger species such as one with a blue, scarlet and gold, or green-winged macaw. These mini macaws are affectionate and smart with a great disposition. They require attention and socialized every day as do all birds. Young macaws may nip, but they get over this habit as they mature and become well-socialized.
Like all parrots, the Darling macaw requires plenty of time outside of the cage each day to stretch and exercise their muscles. They also enjoy learning new tasks and keep their minds engaged and keeps them from becoming bored. It is recommended that this bird be taught by an experienced trainer who is familiar with macaws and their habits.
The Darling Hahns Macaw is found in the tropical forests and savannahs as well as swamps in eastern Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. Their green coloring hides them in the foliage of their native habitat. They are a nesting species that live in the holes of palms (Carya spp.) Other species of trees are also used as nesting sites. The birds lay two to five eggs, which hatch within 24 days. The chicks are weaned after about two months.
The Darling hahns can be taught to speak at a young age, much like other macaws. They can learn songs, words and whistles. They are especially adept at imitating high-pitched human speech. They also have a distinct call which sounds much like the sound of caricature laughter.
Like all parrots, the Darling needs food that is high-quality seeds as well as fruits, nuts, and vegetables. The birds are fond of the black-sage berries, Cordiaaubletis and paste trees with flowers. They will eat anything, however, they love avocados, apricots and mangos. As with other parrots Darling is susceptible to diarrhea. If symptoms persist, a veterinarian should be checked out.
Care
Macaws are intelligent birds that love to learn and are very easy to train. They are good talkers and have a huge vocabulary. They can also mimic human sounds and even laugh in a funny manner. They like to play, which is why they should have plenty of toys in and outside their cage. Change the toys frequently to prevent your bird from becoming bored. Birds also like to bathe, and should be provided with a shallow bowl of water to drink from regularly.
They must be physically and mentally active. You can achieve this by letting them fly in an aviary with a large space, or by having them participate in regular play sessions. You can teach them to climb up and use claws to open latches or doors to access the outside.
They are social animals and make great pets for families. If they are properly tamed and trained, they will be gentle with the children in the family. Macaws in the early years will nip more but calm down with age. However, they're strong enough to cause serious harm and it is essential to nip bad behaviors in the bud when they first start to happen.
In their adolescence, the birds may become territorial and irritable as they begin to develop their own feathers. It's like when a teenager gets angry and attempting to elude their parents. This is a normal part of their development and can be frustrating for new owners. As they mature this behavior will lessen and they will be able to bond with their owners again.
It is essential to purchase a well-bred macaw from an established breeder. These birds are usually not found in traditional pet stores. They should be purchased from a breeder who can provide references and also information on the condition of the cages as well as parent stock. This will help ensure that your bird will live a long and happy life. The breeders should also be able to answer any questions you may have regarding caring for your bird.
Feeding
Hahn's Macaws need a lot attention and interaction. They are highly intelligent birds that love to talk, play and learn. Their energy must be refilled or they could become destructive, which is why it's so important for them to have a human companion.
In the wild, they are programmed by nature to eat leaves of trees. A home owner should provide them with foods which are high in nutrients and protein. You can feed them a mixture of fruits, vegetables and pellets. Table scraps can be fed to them as long as they're healthy and aren't fatty or sweet. You can give them broccoli and spinach kale, apples, chili peppers and carrots. They are omnivores that are naturally and are able to be provided with many different grains, seeds, and nuts as well.
Macaws are active and will need plenty of space to fly and climb. To keep them occupied, and to keep them engaged make sure you provide them with a variety of toys both inside and outside their enclosure. They should also be able to leave their cage for a minimum of two hours every day, though three or four hours is the ideal. If they don't exercise enough there could be health issues that arise, including respiratory infections and self-mutilation.
A Darling macaw needs to be kept in a spotless environment. The cage should be cleaned regularly and all feces and other droppings must be removed. The cage should be kept away from drafts and sources of heat. It's a good idea keep the cage in an area that's at or near 65° F.
Darling hahns Macaws are vocal like other parrots. This is especially true at dawn and dusk. They'll squawk in short intervals and then make a call to their flock. The squawking can increase if the bird feeling unsatisfied with his environment or isn't getting enough attention.
If the macaw in your pet is showing behavioral problems, it's often because something in their life isn't working. They'll be unhappy when they don't have a companion and aren't getting enough exercise or social interaction, and don't have the proper diet. These issues can be solved by taking the time to establish trust with the macaw as well as creating an enjoyable environment.
Training
These birds are highly intelligent and easily trainable. They are also playful, amusing and affectionate. Like all macaws, they cannot adapt to a new environment and require a lot of interaction with their owners. If they don't receive enough attention, they might start to display behaviors that are difficult to fix.
They need a spacious cage that allows them to move freely. They do best when kept in pairs, which is the natural behavior of birds. To prevent boredom, the cage should be filled with toys that are rotated to keep them mentally and physically engaged. These birds are very intelligent and enjoy mimicking and talking. They can be taught a variety of words and phrases. It is also believed that they here have a longer and more flexible tongue than other birds. This could aid them in understanding human sounds.
It is important to start training your macaw at an early age, while they are still young and eager to learn new techniques. It is important to use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior during training sessions. Macaws are very self-protective and can become frightened if they don't feel safe. It is important to learn the body language of your macaw as well as how it communicates with you, so that you can spot signs of fear or aggression and nip any bad behavior in the bud before it escalates into serious behavior problems.
If you are a new pet owner, it is also important to establish a relationship with an avian veterinarian at the earliest time. Regularly checking your macaw's health will aid in preventing serious illnesses and ailments that could be fatal. Annual examinations should include an analysis of feces and blood work. Psittacosis vaccines, Avian Bornaviruses and Polyomaviruses are also recommended.
In order to be a happy, healthy pet, your macaw will need to have two hours of play and interaction each day. This is a huge amount of time for most households which is why when you don't have the time to provide your pet with the attention it requires, it is likely that you should find a different location for it. This daily interaction with your macaw will strengthen the bond between you and your pet, and eventually make it a happier bird.