The Darling Hahns Macaw
Hahn's Macaws can be described as social, friendly birds that thrive on human interaction. If left alone, they can become bored and destructive. They can chew on toys and even attack people or animals.
The medium-sized birds are the smallest of the macaw family and they are extremely intelligent. They are quick to respond to training and are excellent talkers.
Characteristics
The Darling Hahns Macaw is a simple-to-train and a fun pet for anyone who would like to experience the joys of a macaw, but doesn't have the room or budget for the more expensive species such as a green-winged, blue and scarlet macaw or golden. The mini macaws have a pleasant and intelligent personality. Like all birds, they have to be properly socialized and handled daily for them to remain happy and healthy. Young macaws may nip, but they get over this behavior as they grow older and become more social.
The Darling hahns Macaw, like all parrots, needs to be capable of playing and exercising their muscles daily. They also enjoy learning new things, which keeps them mentally engaged and keeps them from becoming bored. This bird should ideally be taught by a skilled trainer who knows macaws' behavior and is familiar with their requirements.
The Darling Hahns Macaw can be found in the tropical forests, swamps and savannahs of eastern Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. Their green color hides them in the foliage of their native habitat. They nest in holes in palms (Carya spp.) however they can use holes from other types as well. The birds lay two to five eggs that hatch in about 24 days. After about two months the chicks are weaned.
Like most macaws, the Darling hahns are excellent communicators if taught at an early age. They can be taught a variety of whistles, words and tunes, and are particularly adept at mimicking human speech in a high-pitched tone. They also have an individual sound that resembles cartoon laughter.
Darling hahns require a diet that is high-quality fruits, seeds nuts, and other vegetables. These birds prefer the black-sage bush's berries Cordia aubletis and the paste tree flowers (Carya spp.). They will eat almost anything that is offered to them and are very fond of avocado as well as apricots and mango. Darling hahns can be susceptible to diarrhea as are other parrots. If the symptoms persist, consult an animal veterinarian.
Care
Macaws are avid learners and are easy to train. They are excellent communicators and have a large vocabulary. They can imitate human sounds and laugh in a humorous way. They love to play and should be provided with plenty of toys both within their cage and outside. Change Darling hahns macaw to prevent your bird from getting bored. These birds love to bathe and so a bowl with water should be provided on a regular basis.
They require a lot of physical and mentally. This can be accomplished by giving them time to fly in an open aviary, or by taking them out on regular play sessions. It is possible to teach them how to climb up and use their claws to open doors or latches to go out.
Because they are very social animals, they make great pets for families with children. If they are properly trained and tamed they'll be gentle around children. Young macaws are more likely nip but will calm down when they get older. They're strong enough to cause serious damage, so it's important to stop any bad behavior as soon as it is possible.
As they develop their own feathers, the birds can become angry and territorial. It's similar to teens getting angry with their parents and attempting to get them off their property. This is a normal part of the growth process, and can be a source of frustration for new owners. As they mature this behavior will lessen and they will form strong bonds with their owners once again.
It is important to purchase a well-bred macaw from an accredited breeder. These birds are not usually found in pet stores, and should be obtained from a breeder that can provide references and details about the condition of their cages as well as parent stock. This will ensure that your pet will live a long and happy life. Breeders should be able answer any questions that you have about caring for your bird.
Feeding
Hahn's Macaws require lots of attention and interaction. They are intelligent birds who enjoy playing, talking and learn. They need to be able to communicate their energy, or else they'll be destructive. This is why having a human companion is so crucial.
In the wild they are programmed to eat from the trees' canopy and therefore, a home owner will want to provide them with food items that are high in protein and nutrients. They are advised to eat a mix of fruits, vegetables, and pellets. Table scraps can be used for them, as long as they're healthy and aren't sugary or fatty. Some of the items that are suitable for giving include spinach, broccoli as well as kale, carrots squash, chili peppers, and apples. They are omnivores in nature and can be fed many grains nuts, seeds, and other food items.
These macaws are also very active and will require a lot of room to fly and climb. Providing them with plenty of toys inside their cage as well as outside of their enclosure will help to keep them entertained and happy. They will also need to be allowed out of their cage for at least two hours every day, but 3-4 hours is the ideal time. If they don't get enough exercise there could be health issues that arise, including respiratory infections and self-mutilation.
A Darling Hahns Macaw needs a extremely clean environment. The cage should always be cleaned on a regular basis and all feces, feces, droppings and other waste needs to be removed. The cage should be kept away from drafts and sources of heat. It's recommended to keep the cage in a space that is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Darling hahns Macaws can be vocal like all parrots. This is especially evident at dusk and dawn. They can be heard squawking for short periods of time, and will call out to their flock. The bird will squawk even louder in case he is unhappy with his surroundings or hasn't received enough attention.
When a pet macaw has behavioral issues, it's usually because something is missing in their life. They can't be satisfied when they don't have a partner, don't get enough exercise or interaction and aren't fed the right type of diet. These problems can often be corrected by taking time to establish trust with the macaw and creating an environment that is stimulating.
Training
They are extremely intelligent and easily trained. 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 aren't given enough attention, they may start to display behaviors which are difficult to correct.
They need a spacious cage that allows them to move freely. They are most effective when kept in pairs as is the normal bird's behavior. The cage should have plenty of toys that can be cycled in and out, to avoid boredom and keep them engaged mentally as well as physically. They are extremely intelligent and enjoy mimicking and talking. They can be taught a variety of words and phrases. It is also said that they have a longer, more flexible tongue than other birds. This may help them to better understand human sounds.
It is important to begin the process of training your macaw as early as possible, while it is still young and willing to learn new techniques. It is also important to employ positive reinforcement during training sessions to encourage good behaviors and discourage bad behavior. Macaws have an instinctive sense of security and can become fearful when they don't feel safe and secure. It is important to learn your macaw's body language and how it communicates with you so you can recognize signals of aggression or fear and nip any bad behavior in the bud before it becomes serious behavior problems.
As a pet owner who is new, it is also important to establish a relationship with an avian veterinarian as early as possible. Regularly checking your macaw can aid in preventing serious diseases and illnesses that could be fatal. An annual exam should include a fecal examination and blood work. Psittacosis vaccines, Avian Bornaviruses and Polyomaviruses are also recommended.
To be a healthy, happy pet your macaw needs to be given 2 hours of playtime and interaction every day. This is a significant amount of time for most households, so should you not have enough time to give your pet with the time it requires, it is likely to be better off finding a new home for it. Every day, your macaw will increase the relationship between you and it, and ultimately make it a happier bird.