The blue macaw is the largest of all parrots and has a striking blue color.It is not suited for an introduction to bird care and requires more intensive care than other birds.A hyacinth macaw can be a great addition to your household if you have the right living conditions and training.
Step 1: Prepare a big cage.
The minimum size of the cage for the hyacinth macaw is 72 inches tall.The macaw needs a lot of space to move around.The blue macaw needs a lot of time to fly outside the larger cage.If you are the owner of a blue macaw, you will need to share your home with the bird.Most locks on a cage can be pulled by the blue macaw.If you want to invest in a strong lock, you need to be prepared to replace the lock often.
Step 2: Use a cage that is made of steel.
A standard 8-gauge wire can easily be broken by the macaw.Don't use wires that will rust, bend or chip.The most expensive cage is this one.You will want to make sure the macaw isn't eating any paint when it climbs on and chews the bars of its cage.Steel cages that are coated in nontoxic and non-chipping paint are an option if the cost of steel is out of your price range.Paint protects your cage from rust and keeps it presentable.
Step 3: The cage should be positioned well.
The cage for the hyacinth macaw should be located in an area of the home where it can feel part of a family.The macaw is sensitive to drafts and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.The cage should be placed in an area that is free of drafts.The macaw needs a good amount of natural sunlight to develop its own form of vitamins K and C.The bird can spend time with your family if you let it out of its cage as often as possible.It needs to get a lot of exercise by flying out of its cage.The hyacinth macaw is a very noisy bird, so make sure you don't put it in a cage that will disturb neighbors or sleeping children.
Step 4: Provide places to perch.
The branches of fruit trees can be used to make perches since your bird can safely perch on them.The perch should have an area about 1 inch in diameter.You will need to replace these branches frequently.There are plenty of places throughout your home for your hyacinth macaw to perch.There is a playpen outside the cage.A large, free-standing perch with food and water bowls and places to hang toys from can provide hours of entertainment for your bird and your family.If your bird drops something, the playpen should have a tray to catch it.
Step 5: There is an indoor bird room.
If you have room for it, you will be able to use it in a dedicated room.The room should be emptied of anything the bird can get its beak around.Wooden trim will get destroyed quickly.The electrical cords should not be seen by the bird.If you have a macaw, make sure the trees and plants are non-toxic.Provide perches for your bird to stand and climb, places for toys, mounted food, water and treat dishes, and have fun.
Step 6: An outdoor bird area is needed.
A brick or metal aviary is ideal for your macaw.It should have a protected shelter and attached flight cage.Your macaw has room to stretch his wings on the long flight.If you want to include a climbing branch made of a fruit or nut tree, you should install a hardwood perch at each end.A bird bath made of concrete should be in your bird area.Make sure the bird area is well lit.Natural sunlight is needed to maintain good health for your macaw.
Step 7: Provide food.
The diet of the hyacinth macaw is different than that of other parrots.In the wild, it finds undigested palm nuts in cattle dung.Brazil nuts, almonds, macadamias, coconut, pistachios, and cashews can be substitute for this diet.It's not appropriate for a pellet diet to be used for the hyacinth macaw.The blue macaw likes nuts high in fat.If you want to make a treat, you can pour the oil over the bread.brazil nuts and filberts are good choices.Before giving nuts to your bird, make sure you smell and taste them.
Step 8: Add raw vegetables and fruits to your macaw's diet.
Vegetables and fruits make up a small part of the hyacinth macaws diet.Share your groceries with your macaw because he can eat nearly anything.It is possible to make tasty snacks out of fresh pieces of vegetables.Don't give your bird food that's not good for them.The hyacinth macaw is poisonous to fresh fruit pits.This is toxic to parrots and should never be given to your bird.It's a good idea to wash the food before feeding it to the macaw.
Step 9: A feeding schedule can be created.
It is helpful to have a regular feeding schedule.Your bird will be interested in the training activities if you are slightly hungry.If you are able to feed your bird 3 meals per day, you should engage in training sessions just prior to each meal.2 meals per day will suffice if your schedule doesn't allow lunchtime feedings.It is a great time to get your bird used to eating from your hand.She will love giving her special treats of nuts, carrots, or pieces of coconut.Incorporating snacking into training exercises is a good way to bond with your bird.Providing snacks to your bird is a good way to build trust.
Step 10: You can find your macaw's favorite food.
It is easy to find your bird's favorite food.Provide a portion of all the different foods your macaw eats, including: carrots, coconut, Brazil nut, walnuts, almonds, macadamias, sunflower seeds, grapes, etc.Allow your bird to choose from the foods after setting out the portions.While your bird will poke around for a while, it is likely to eat its favorite food first.The hyacinth macaws are known for being late for things.It will be fun to know your bird's favorite food.When you teach your bird a new trick, you should bring along some extra treats.
Step 11: Fresh water can be provided.
Change the water in your bird's water dish at least once a day.At all times, you should have access to fresh, clean water.Every time you change the water, use hot, soapy water to clean the bowl.You need to make sure you are cleaning inside the bowl's ridges, rims and corners.Blue hyacinths prefer bottled water, spring water or fresh well water.The water for drinking and bathing is the same for parrots and birds.
Step 12: It's a good idea to bathe your bird.
If your bird is young, get it used to taking baths in your kitchen sink with a small amount of water.Older birds can jump into the water from a kitchen sink bath.It's possible to put a shower perch into your shower.Glass windows or shower walls can be attached to these perches.Before you introduce the shower, bring your bird into the bathroom a few times.Young birds may need a little bit of soap, but older birds should not.The soap is safe for them, but it's difficult to remove the soapy remnants from feathers.Small pump-up sprayers for bathing parrots are available online or in specialty stores.
Step 13: Contribute to the generalization of skills.
The hyacinth macaw bonds strongly with one person.It is likely that your bird will only respond to you if you do not explicitly teach him to accept commands from different people.To teach the command in a variety of settings with different people is the way to go.Once you have taught a particular command, such as "step up", teach it in different locations with different background sounds and different people.Your bird will be able to adapt quickly to new people and situations if you teach this generalization of skills.
Step 14: Bad behaviors should not be taught.
It is quite painful to be bitten by the blue macaw, it is strong enough to crack open nuts.Your bird will learn that biting is a quick way to achieve results if you react to being bitten by ending a training session and putting your bird back in its cage.Ignore bad behavior instead of reacting to it.If your macaw doesn't see any results, it's less likely to repeat the behavior.For example, if you don't want your bird to scream loudly, then it's the same thing.
Step 15: Provide lots of activity for your bird.
The bird likes to play.It is likely to break wooden toys due to the strength of its bite.These birds prefer metal toys.Fix nuts holding washers onto a screw to make it fun for your bird to play with.You can put nuts and bolts through the holes in the bird bowls if you choose metal cups or spoons.Do not allow your macaw to play with rope or wooden toys.Destructible toys can be expensive, but they help to relieve boredom.The hyacinth macaw requires a lot of engagement to stay healthy and happy, so a variety of toys is best.
Step 16: The cage should be kept clean.
If you keep cage paper over the floor of the cage, it will be easier to do.This can be pulled out and replaced as needed.The cage can be wiped down with a disinfectant.Change your macaw's water daily, and clean its bowls.You will need to wash the bird toys weekly with soap and water.It is a good idea to do annual cleaning of your macaw's cage.
Step 17: There is a disease that you should watch for.
You should be alert for signs of illness if you have a well-cared for hyacinth macaw.There are a number of illnesses that the hyacinth macaws are prone to.If you notice signs of illness, you need to make an appointment with an animal doctor.Some of the more common signs of illnesses include: Listlessness Dragging body Extreme mood changes Avoiding food or not eating its usual amount
Step 18: Be on the lookout for behavioral problems.
There is something missing in the macaw's environment that causes behavior problems.The hyacinth macaw requires a lot of interaction.The macaw can develop maladaptive patterns of behavior if there is not enough to do.Try to spend more time with your parrot if you notice any of the signs.When you are not at home, make sure your parrot has enough to do.Limit the time your bird is expected to spend in its cage and find ways to give it more exercise.
Step 19: It's important to provide plenty of sunlight.
Your macaw has photosensitive skin that doesn't respond to artificial light.Good health can be maintained by regular exposure to natural sunlight.The hyacinth macaw requires sunlight in order to get enough vitamins D and E.