About Macaws
Some people have asked about macaws, what we like to eat, why we behave the way we do and so forth and so on. So, instead of entertaining you with more stupid human Internet tricks I thought I’d do a Macaw Q&A session.
Q1. Why Don’t You Like Orange Pellets?
A1. Two reasons. First of all, the color is unappealing. Us macaws see more shades of color than you humans. Something that looks fine to your puny eyes looks putrid to us. You see, my wild brethren have to spot tasty fresh fruit from miles away while keeping an eye out for predators, namely you humans and big snakes. This means we have excellent 360 degree vision, not to mention a very discerning eye. Second reason, they taste awful as compared to bananas.
Q2: Why Do You Like Bananas So Much?
A2: Because they taste good! I also like other fruits as well, such as grapes and cherries, but bananas are my favorite.
Q3: Do Macaws Bite?
A3: Stick your finger a little closer to my beak and find out.
Q4: Do Macaws Live to be 100 Years Old?
A4: Perhaps, but, like with humans, it’s rare. We are subject to disease and old age just like humans as they get older, but we don’t have the level of medical care humans do. With proper care and a little luck and maybe just the right amount of bananas, a macaw can live to be between 50 and 70 years old. I was hatched in 2000 so I’m still a spring chicken.
Q5: Can You Talk?
A5: Yes, and I can type too. Macaws do talk but we aren’t refined speakers like an African Gray Parrot or some Amazon parrots. We get excited easy and will lapse into pure macaw-ese squawking quickly. I have a vocabulary of about 30 words but I only use 10 of them regularly. I’ll bet you can guess one that starts with ‘B’.
Q6: Are Macaws Endangered In The Wild?
Q6: Yes, they are. This is primarily due to deforestation and illegal pet trade. I was hatched right here in the USA as were my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. I’ve been around people all my life, from the moment of my hatching, so I could never live in the wild safely. I would be 100% clueless. However, wild parrots are still grabbed in the wild which is bad, not to mention illegal. If you want to put up with a macaw or any other parrot as a pet, make sure that you buy one from a reputable breeder who hand raises them.
That’s all I have time for right now. If you have any questions about what it is like to be a macaw’s human, please feel free to ask.