The Darling Hahns Macaw
Hahn's Macaws are social, and sociable birds that thrive off human interaction. If left alone, they may become bored and destructive. They will chew toys and may even attack people or animals.
These medium sized birds are the smallest members of the macaw family and they are extremely intelligent. They are quick to respond to instruction and are great talkers.
Characteristics
The Darling Hahns Macaw is a simple-to-train and playful choice for anyone who wants to experience the joys of a macaw, but does not have enough room or budget for the more expensive species like a blue-winged, green, golden, or scarlet macaw. The mini macaws are incredibly affectionate and intelligent with a good disposition. They require attention and socialized daily, just like all birds. Macaws have been known to nip when they are young, however this behavior will diminish as they grow older and become more socialized.
Like all parrots the Darling macaw has a need for plenty of time outside of the cage every day to stretch and exercise their muscles. They also enjoy learning new tasks that keep their minds engaged and keeps them from becoming bored. It is recommended that this bird be trained by an experienced trainer who is familiar with macaws and their behavior.
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 with the vegetation of their habitat. They nest in holes in trees, mainly palms (Carya spp.) but have been known to use the holes of other species as well. The birds lay between two and five eggs, which hatch after 24 days. After about two months the chicks are weaned.
Like all macaws, Darling hahns are great talkers in the early age. They can learn a repertoire of whistles, words, and tunes. They are particularly adept at mimicking human speech with a high pitched tone. They also have a distinctive call which sounds much like the sound of caricature laughter.
Like all parrots as well, the Darling has an alimentation that is high-quality seeds, fruits, nuts and vegetables. The birds are fond of the black-sage berries, Cordiaaubletis and paste trees with flowers. They eat anything that is offered to them and are very attracted to avocados mango, apricots, and mango. Darling hahns are prone to diarrhea as are other parrots. If the symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian.
You can also read about how to take care of yourself.
Macaws are intelligent birds that love to learn. They are extremely easy to train. They are extremely vocal and are able to build a vast vocabulary from a young age. They can 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. It is recommended to rotate the toys to avoid your bird becoming bored. They love bathing and so a bowl with water should be available on a regular basis.
They should be physically and mentally active. You can achieve this by allowing them to fly in an aviary that is large or by having them participate in regular play sessions. It is possible to teach them how to climb and use claws to open doors or latches to go outside.
They are social animals and make great pets for families. If they are properly trained and tamed, they'll be gentle around children. Young macaws are much more likely to be nip, but they will become calmer as they grow older. They're strong enough to cause significant harm, which is why it's vital to stop bad behavior as soon as possible.
During their adolescence these birds may become aggressive and territorial as they begin to develop their own feathers. It is similar to teens getting angry with their parents and attempting to drive them away. This is a normal part of the growth process, but can be a source of frustration for new owners. As they reach maturity, this behavior will subside and they will be a strong bond with their owners.
It is important to buy an equivocal Macaw that is bred by a reliable seller. They aren't usually available in traditional pet stores and should be obtained from a breeder who can provide references and details about the condition of their cages as well as the parent stock. This will ensure that your pet is happy and healthy. The breeders should also be in a position to answer any questions you may have regarding the care of your bird.
Feeding
Macaws of Hahn require plenty of attention and interaction. They are highly intelligent birds that love to talk, play and learn. They must be able to communicate their energy or they will end up being destructive. This is why having an human companion is so crucial.
In the wild, they are programmed to consume food from the trees' canopy So a homeowner will want to provide them with foods that are rich in protein and nutrients. You can feed them a variety of vegetables, fruits and pellets. Table scraps can be fed to them so long as they're nutritious and don't contain sugar or fat. Some of the food items that can be given include spinach, broccoli, kale, carrots, squash, chili peppers and apples. They are omnivores by nature and can be fed a variety of grains nuts, seeds, and other food items.
Macaws also require lots of space to fly and climb. A variety of toys in their cage as well as outside of their enclosure will help keep them occupied and happy. They will also need to be allowed to get out of their cage at least two hours per day, however 3-4 hours is ideal. They can get self-mutilation and respiratory infections when they do not exercise enough.
A Darling Hahns Macaw requires a extremely clean environment. The cage must be cleaned every day and all feces and other waste must be eliminated. The cage should also be kept clear of drafts and sources of heat. It's also a good idea to have the cage in a space that's at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Darling hahns Macaws are vocal like other parrots. This is particularly evident at dusk and dawn. They will squawk loudly for brief periods of time and will call out to their flock. The squawking can increase if the bird is feeling unsatisfied with his environment or hasn't been given enough attention.
If a pet macaw is exhibiting behavior problems, it's usually because something in their lives isn't working. They won't be content when they don't have a partner, don't get enough exercise or social interaction, and aren't eating the right kind of food. These problems can often be corrected by taking time to build trust with the macaw, and creating an enjoyable environment.
Training
These birds are extremely intelligent and are easily trainable. They are also playful and affectionate. However, as with all macaws they have a difficult adjustment to a change of environment and need ample interaction with their owners. If they don't receive enough attention, they could begin to exhibit behavior issues which are difficult to correct.
The cage should be spacious and allow them to move freely. They will be happier when kept in pairs as this is their natural behaviour. The cage should have plenty of toys that can be constantly being rotated in and out, to avoid boredom and keep them stimulated physically and mentally. They love to talk and mimic, and are able to be taught a wide variety of phrases and words. They are also said to have a larger tongue than other parrots. This could allow them to hear human sounds better.
It is crucial to start training your macaw as quickly as you can, when it is still young and eager to learn new tricks. It is also essential to use positive reinforcement during training sessions, to encourage good behaviors and help deter bad ones. Macaws are extremely protective and can be scared when they aren't feeling secure. Learn your macaw’s body language to identify indications of aggression or fear.
If you are a new pet macaw purchase owner, it is also important to establish a connection with an avian vet as soon as you can. Regularly checking your macaw can aid in preventing serious diseases and illnesses that could be fatal. Annual exams should include an analysis of feces and blood tests. Psittacosis vaccines, Avian Bornaviruses and Polyomaviruses are also recommended.
Your macaw should play and interact with you for 2 hours a day to be a healthy, happy pet. If you don't have the time to give your pet the time they deserve then it is best to locate an alternative home for them. Making sure your macaw has this regular daily interaction will improve its bond with you and will ultimately lead to an overall healthier, happier animal.