The Darling Hahns Macaw
Hahn's Macaws can be described as social, and sociable birds that thrive off human interaction. If left alone, they could become bored and destructive. They may chew toys or even attack other animals.
These medium sized birds are the smallest members of the macaw family. they are very intelligent. They are quick to respond to instruction and are great talking birds.
Characteristics
The Darling hahns Macaw is a nimble and fun choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the pleasures of a macaw but doesn't have enough space or funds for an expensive species like a blue-winged, green, scarlet macaw, or golden. These mini macaws are affectionate and smart with a great disposition. Like all birds, they require to be taken care of and socialized every day for them to remain healthy and happy. Young macaws may nip, but they get over this behavior as they grow older and become more social.
Like all parrots the Darling hahns macaw needs plenty of time outside of the cage every day to stretch and exercise their muscles. They also love learning and keep their minds engaged and prevents 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 primarily found in the tropical forests as well as the savannahs, swamps and savannahs eastern Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. Their green color helps them blend in with the foliage of their habitat. Nests are made in trees, mostly palms (Carya species). Other species of trees have also been used as nesting sites. The birds lay between two and five eggs which hatch after 24 days. The chicks are weaned after about two months.
The Darling hahns can be taught to speak at an early age, just like most macaws. They can master a repertoire of words, whistles and tunes. They are particularly adept at mimicking human speech with a high pitched tone. They also have a distinctive call that sounds similar to the sound of caricature laughter.
Darling hahns require a diet of high-quality fruits, seeds, nuts, and other vegetables. They are fond of the berries of the black-sage bush Cordia aubletis and the paste trees (Carya spp.). They will eat almost anything they are offered and are extremely attracted to avocados, apricots and mango. Darling hahns are susceptible to diarrhea, just like other parrots. If symptoms persist, a veterinarian must be consult.
Care
Macaws are intelligent birds that love to learn and are extremely easy to train. They are great at talking and have the ability to develop a huge vocabulary from an early age. They can also imitate human noises and even laugh in a satirical manner. They like to play and should be provided with plenty of toys within their cage and outside. Change the toys frequently to prevent your bird from getting bored. These birds love to bathe, so a shallow bowl filled with water must be available on a regular basis.
They must be physically and mentally active. This can be achieved by giving them time to fly in an open aviary or by taking them on regular play sessions. You can teach them to climb up and use their claws to open doors or latches to get outside.
They are social animals that make great pets for families. If they are properly trained and tamed, they will be gentle around children. Young macaws are more likely to be nip, but they will become calmer as they mature. However, they're strong enough to do serious damage and it is essential to nip bad behaviors early when they first begin to occur.
As they grow their own feathers, the birds can become irritable and territorial. It's like a teenager getting angry and attempting to drive away their parents. This is a normal part of their growth process and can be very frustrating for new owners. As they age, this behavior will diminish and they will form strong bonds with their owners again.
It is important to buy an equivocal Macaw that is bred by a reputable seller. These birds are not usually found in pet stores, and should be purchased from a breeder who can provide references and the condition of their cages and parent stock. This will ensure that your bird will live a long and happy life. Breeders should also be in a position to answer any questions you might have regarding caring for your pet.
Feeding
Hahn's macaws require a lot of attention and interaction. They are highly intelligent birds who are a joy to talk, play and learn. Their energy needs to be fulfilled or they can become destructive, which is why it's vital for them to have humans as their companions.
In the wild they are programmed by nature to eat the 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 vegetables, fruits and pellets. Table scraps can be fed to them so long as they're nutritious and aren't sweet or fatty. Some of the food items that can be provided include spinach, broccoli as well as kale, carrots chili peppers, squash and apples. They are omnivores in nature and can be fed various grains, seeds, and nuts as well.
These macaws are also very active and will require plenty of space to fly and climb. A variety of toys within their cage and outside their enclosure will help keep them occupied and happy. They should also be allowed out of their cage at least two hours every day, but 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 macaw needs to live in a clean environment. The cage should be cleaned daily and all feces and droppings should be removed. The cage should be kept both from drafts and heat. It's an excellent idea to keep the cage in a room that is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
As with all parrots like all parrots, Darling hahns macaw can be very vocal, especially during the day and dusk. They will squawk loudly for short periods of time and will call out to their flock. The bird will squawk more if he is not satisfied with his surroundings or hasn't received enough attention.
If your pet macaw exhibits behavioral issues, it's usually due to read more something that is lacking. They can't be satisfied with their life if they don't have an partner, don't get enough exercise or social interaction and aren't fed the proper diet. Often these problems can be corrected by making the effort to establish trust and create a healthy environment for the macaw.
Training
These birds are highly intelligent, and they are easily trainable. They are also playful and affectionate. Like all macaws they cannot adapt to a new environment and require lots of interaction with their owners. If they don't get enough attention, they may develop behavior issues that are difficult to correct.
They require a spacious cage that allows them to move freely. They are most effective when kept in pairs, which is the natural bird behavior. The cage should contain plenty of toys that can be cycling in and out to avoid boredom and keep them stimulated physically as well as mentally. They are awestruck by the ability to talk and mimic, and are able to be taught a variety of words and phrases. It is also believed that they have a larger, more flexible tongue than other birds. This can aid them in understanding human sounds.
It is crucial to start the process of training your macaw as early as you can, when it is still young and eager to learn new techniques. It is also crucial to use positive reinforcement during training sessions, to promote good behavior and help deter bad ones. Macaws have an intense sense of self-preservation and can become fearful when they don't feel secure and safe. Learn the body language of your macaw so you can recognize any indications of aggression or fear.
If you are a new pet owner it is essential to establish a connection with an avian vet as soon as you can. Regularly checking your macaw's health can help prevent serious diseases and ailments that could be fatal. A routine check-up should include a fecal test and blood tests. Psittacosis vaccines, Avian Bornaviruses and Polyomaviruses are also recommended.
In order to be a happy, healthy pet macaws need to be given 2 hours of play and interaction each day. If you're not able to give your pet the time they require then it is ideal to locate an alternative home. Every day, your macaw will increase the bond between you and your pet, and eventually make it a more happy bird.