The Darling Hahns Macaw
Hahn's Macaws can be described as social, sociable birds that thrive on human interaction. If left alone, they could become bored and destructive. They could chew on toys or even attack other animals.
These medium sized birds are the smallest members of the macaw family and they are very intelligent. They are quick to respond to training and are great speakers.
Characteristics
The Darling hahns Macaw is an easy-to-train and playful choice for those who want to experience the joys of a macaw, but doesn't have the space or funds to purchase an expensive species such as a green-winged, blue and scarlet macaw, or golden. These mini macaws have a friendly and intelligent temperament. As with all birds, they have to be socialized and handled daily if they are to remain happy and healthy. Macaws are known to nip when they are young, but this behavior will diminish as they grow older and become more socialized.
As with all parrots, the Darling macaw has a need for plenty of out-of-cage play time every day to stretch and exercise their muscles. They also enjoy learning, which keeps their minds active and keeps them from becoming bored. Ideally, this bird should be taught by an experienced trainer who is familiar with macaws and their habits.
The Darling hahns macaw is a species that primarily lives in the tropical woodlands, savannahs, and swamps of eastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and northeastern Brazil. Their green color helps them blend with the foliage of their habitat. Nests are constructed by trees, most commonly palms (Carya species). Other species of trees are also used as nesting holes. The birds lay between two and five eggs that hatch in 24 days. After about two months the chicks are weaned.
The Darling hahns can be taught to talk at a young age, similar to most macaws. They can learn a repertoire of whistles, words and tunes and are especially adept at imitating human speech in a high-pitched tone. They also have their own call that sounds like cartoon laughter.
Like all parrots, the Darling hahns need an alimentation that is high-quality seeds fruit, nuts, and other vegetables. These birds prefer the black-sage berries Cordia aubletis and paste tree flowers (Carya spp.). They eat anything that is given to them and are particularly in love with avocado mango, apricots, and mango. Darling hahns are susceptible to diarrhea as are all parrots. If symptoms persist, you should consult your veterinarian.
Care
Macaws are intelligent birds who love to learn and are extremely easy to train. They are good talkers and have a huge vocabulary. They can also imitate human sounds and laugh in a humorous way. They love to play and should be provided with plenty of toys within their cage and outside. Change the toys frequently to prevent your bird from becoming bored. They also love to bathe, and should be provided with an unassuming bowl of water to drink from on a regular basis.
They should be physically and mentally active. This can be met by allowing them to fly in an open aviary or by taking them to regular play sessions. They can also be taught to climb and use claws to open doors or latches in order to be able to get out.
They are social animals that make great pets for families. If they are properly tamed and trained they will be gentle with the children within the household. Young macaws are more likely to bite, but they tend to calm as they mature. They're strong enough to cause severe damage, so it's important to stop bad behavior as soon as it is possible.
As they grow their own feathers, these birds can become irritable and territorial. It is similar to teens becoming angry with their parents and trying to get them off their property. This is a normal aspect of their development and can be a source of frustration for the new owners. As they mature, this behavior will diminish and they will be able to bond with their owners once more.
It is important to purchase a well-bred macaw from a reputable breeder. These birds are rarely 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 read more parent stock. This will ensure that your bird is happy and healthy. Breeders should be able to answer any questions that you have regarding caring for your bird.
Feeding
Macaws of Hahn require lots of interaction and attention. They are highly intelligent birds that are a joy to talk, play and learn. Their energy must be refilled or they could become destructive, which is why it's vital for them to have a human companion.
In the wild, they are programmed to consume food from the trees' canopy, so a home owner is likely to feed 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're healthy and not fatty or sugary. Some of the food items that can be given include spinach, broccoli, kale, carrots, squash, chili peppers, and apples. They are omnivores that are naturally and can be given various nuts, seeds and grains as well.
These macaws will also need lots of space to fly and climb. To keep them happy and keep them interested, provide them with various toys within and outside their enclosure. They should also be allowed to leave their cages for a minimum of two hours per day, though three or four hours is the ideal. If they don't exercise enough there are health risks that can develop like respiratory infections, and self-mutilation.
A Darling hahns macaw will need to have a very clean environment. The cage should be cleaned every day and all feces and other waste must be eliminated. The cage should be kept away both from drafts and heat. It's also a good idea to keep the cage in a room that is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Like all parrots, a Darling macaw has the potential to be loud, especially during the day and dusk. They'll squawk for brief intervals and then call out to their flock. The bird will squawk louder when he's not happy with his surroundings or isn't receiving enough attention.
When a pet macaw has behavioral issues, it's usually because something isn't working in their lives. They won't be content with their life if they don't have an partner, don't receive enough exercise or social interaction and aren't eating the right kind of food. These problems can often be corrected by taking time to establish trust with the macaw and creating a stimulating environment.
Training
These birds are highly intelligent and easily capable of being trained. They are also fun, entertaining and affectionate. As with all macaws, they are unable to adjust to a new environment and require lots of interaction with their owners. If they don't receive adequate attention, they will begin to exhibit behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix.
The cage should be spacious and allow them to roam freely. They will do best when kept in pairs since this is their natural behavior. The cage should be full of toys that can be constantly being rotated in and out, to avoid boredom and keep them engaged mentally as well as physically. These birds are very smart and love mimicking and talking. They can be taught a variety of words and phrases. They are also believed to have a bigger tongue than other parrots, which could allow them to pick up on human sounds better.
It is important to begin training your macaw as quickly as you can, when it is still young and eager to learn new techniques. It is also crucial to employ positive reinforcement during training sessions, to encourage good behavior and help deter bad ones. Macaws have a strong sense of self-preservation and can become fearful if they do not feel secure and safe. It is important to learn your macaw's body language and how it communicates with you, so you can recognize signs of fear or aggression and stop bad behavior in the bud before it becomes serious behavioral problems.
As a pet owner who is new it is essential to establish a relationship with an avian vet as early as possible. Having your macaw regularly checked will help prevent serious illnesses and diseases that could prove fatal to them. An annual exam should include a fecal check and blood tests. Immunizations for Psittacosis, Avian Bornavirus and Polyomavirus are recommended too.
Your macaw needs to play and interact with you for two hours a day to be a healthy, happy pet. If you don't have the time to give your pet the attention they deserve, it's best to locate an alternative home. Giving your macaw regular interactions will improve the bond between you and your pet. This will ultimately lead to a happier, healthier animal.