The Darling Hahns Macaw

Hahn's Macaws can be described as social, sociable birds that thrive on human interaction. Left alone they may become bored and destructive. They might chew on toys, or even attack other animals.

They are intelligent and medium-sized birds. They respond quickly to instruction and can be extremely good at communicating.

Characteristics

Easy to train and fun, easy to train and fun, Darling hahns macaw is a great choice for those who want to feel the joy of a macaw, but does not have the room or funds to purchase a larger species like the scarlet, blue and gold, or green-winged macaw. The mini macaws have a friendly and intelligent disposition. As with all birds, they have to be properly taken care of and socialized every day for them to remain healthy and happy. Macaws have been known to nip when they are young, but this habit will disappear as they mature and get more socialized.

As with all parrots, the Darling macaw has a need for plenty of time outside of the cage every day to exercise and stretch their muscles. They also like learning new tasks that keep their minds engaged and keeps them from becoming bored. The ideal situation is for this bird to be taught by a skilled trainer who is familiar with macaws and their habits.

The Darling Hahns Macaw is found in the tropical woodlands as well as the savannahs, swamps and savannahs eastern Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. Their green color helps them blend with the vegetation of their habitat. Nests are created in trees, mainly palms (Carya species). Other species of trees have also been used as nesting holes. The birds lay between two and five eggs which hatch after 24 days. The chicks are weaned after approximately two months.

Like most macaws, the Darling hahns are great talkers if taught at an early age. They can be taught a variety of whistles, words and tunes, and are particularly adept at imitating human speech with a high pitched tone. They also have a unique call that sounds like cartoon laughter.

Like all parrots as well, the Darling hahns need food that is high-quality seeds fruit, nuts, and other vegetables. The birds are fond of the black-sage berries, Cordiaaubletis, and paste trees flowers. They can eat anything, but they are fond of avocados, apricots, and mangos. Like other parrots, Darling is susceptible to diarrhea. If symptoms persist, you should consult a veterinarian.

Care

Macaws love to learn and are easy to train. They are good talkers and have a large vocabulary. They can also imitate human sounds and laugh in a humorous way. They are very playful, so they should have plenty of toys both inside 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 need to be physically and mentally active. This can be met by allowing them to fly in an open aviary, or by taking them out on regular play sessions. You can help them learn to climb up and use claws to open latches or doors to go out.

They are social animals and make great pets for families. If they are properly tamed and trained, they will be a gentle companion for the children in the family. Macaws in the early years will nip more but calm down as they grow older. They are strong enough to cause severe damage, so it's important to stop bad behavior as soon as possible.

During their adolescence these birds may become territorial and irritable as they begin to develop their own feathers. It's like a teenager becoming annoyed and trying to get rid of their parents. This is a part of the growing process, and can be difficult for new owners. As they grow older this behavior will lessen and they will bond strongly with their owners once more.

It is essential to buy a macaw that is well-bred from an accredited breeder. They are not available in traditional pet stores. They should be purchased from a breeder that can provide references, as well as information about the condition of the cages and parents stock. This will ensure that your pet is happy and healthy. Breeders should be able to answer any questions that you have about caring for your bird.

Feeding

Hahn's Macaws need a lot attention and interaction. They are highly intelligent birds who love to talk, play and learn. Their passion for life must be fulfilled or they can become destructive which is why it's vital for them to have a human companion.

In the wild they are programmed eat from the trees' canopy and therefore, a home owner will want to provide them with food items that are high in nutrients and protein. You can feed them a mix of vegetables, fruits and pellets. Table scraps are fine for them, so long as they are healthy and do not contain sugar or fat. Some of the food items that are suitable for giving include broccoli, spinach and kale, carrots, squash, chili peppers and apples. They are omnivores of nature and can be fed a variety of grains, nuts, seeds and other foods.

Macaws are active and require a lot of room to fly and climb. To keep them entertained, and to keep them interested give them a variety of toys both in and out of their enclosure. They will also need to be allowed to get out of their cage at least 2 hours per day, however 3-4 hours is the ideal time. If they don't exercise enough there are health risks that can develop like respiratory infections, and self-mutilation.

A Darling Hahns Macaw needs a extremely clean environment. The cage should always be cleaned every day and all feces and other waste must be removed. The cage should be kept away from heat and drafts. It's a good idea to keep the cage in an area that is at or near 65° F.

Darling hahns Macaws are vocal like all parrots. This is especially the case at dusk and dawn. They can be heard squawking for brief periods of time and will call out to their flock. The squawking may increase if the bird is unhappy with his surroundings or hasn't been given enough attention.

When a pet macaw has behavioral issues, it's usually because something isn't working in their life. They aren't satisfied with their life if they don't have an partner, don't get enough exercise or social interaction and aren't eating the proper diet. These issues can be corrected by taking time to establish trust with the macaw as well as creating an environment that is stimulating.

Training

These birds are extremely intelligent, and they can be trained easily. They are also playful, fun and affectionate. Like all macaws they cannot adapt to an unfamiliar environment and require a lot of interaction with their owners. If they don't receive enough attention, they could begin to exhibit behavioral issues which are difficult to correct.

They require a large cage that allows them to move around freely and will do best when kept in pairs which is normal behavior of birds. To avoid boredom the cage should be filled with toys that rotate to keep them mentally and physically engaged. They love to talk and mimic, and they can be taught a range of words and phrases. They also are believed to have a longer tongue than other parrots, which may enable them to hear human sounds better.

It is important to begin training your macaw as soon as you can, while it is still young and eager to learn new techniques. It is also essential to employ positive reinforcement during training sessions, to encourage good behavior and deter bad behaviors. Macaws are extremely protective of themselves and may become scared when they feel unsafe. Learn your macaw’s body language to be able to recognize signs of aggression or fear.

As a new pet-owner it's crucial to begin as soon as possible a connection with a veterinarian who specializes in avian medicine. Regularly checking your macaw's health will aid in preventing serious illnesses and illnesses that could be fatal. Annual exams should include an analysis of feces and blood tests. Vaccinations for Psittacosis, Avian Bornavirus and Polyomavirus are recommended too.

To be a healthy, happy pet, your macaw will need to have two hours of play and interaction every day. This is a significant amount of time for most families and should you not have enough time to give your pet with the care it requires, it is likely that you should find a different location for it. The daily interactions with your macaw will strengthen the bond between you and it and ultimately make it a more happy bird.