No pet birds are more beautiful or intelligent than the Scarlet Macaw parrot. But they take a certain kind of pet keeper to provide the right kind of care. Do you think you can handle the challenge of raising and caring for this amazing parrot?
The Scarlet Macaw is truly a sight to behold. He's a striking scarlet red, with blue and yellow feathers mixed in around his wings and tail. And he carries a distinctive white patch around his eyes. Including his tail, he can be up to 36 inches (3 feet long), so he requires a very large cage.
Parrot Cages
Parrot cages are not cheap. They should be at least 3 feet x 3 feet x 6 feet and made of durable, unpainted metal. This will enable them to stretch their wings to their full span, which is vital for their health and well-being.
For sanitary and health reasons, you'll need to thoroughly clean the cage at least once a week, which can be quite a challenge. But over time you'll get used to it.
Ideally the cage will have a large perch mounted on the outside. This will allow them to spend time outside of their cage during the day.
For both mental stimulation and beak maintenance, you should provide your parrot with a wide variety of toys to play and chew on.
Human Interaction
Scarlet Macaws are highly intelligent and require a good deal of human attention every day. If they don't receive enough attention, there can be problems. They will become depressed, nervously chew on their feathers and skin, engage in constant squawking, and attack anyone who comes near them.
If there's no one home during the day in your household, then a parrot is probably not the right pet for you. And children will need to be supervised anytime they're around a parrot -- for both the child's and the bird's safety.
Price Tag
Scarlet Macaws don't come cheap. They cost anywhere from $1500 -- $3000. When you add in the cost of the cage and supplies you're looking at a pretty hefty price tag. And they require regular veterinarian visits too -- make sure you have a veterinarian in your area who is qualified to care for parrots.
Parrots Can Live 40 - 80 Years
Are you prepared to care for your Scarlet Macaw for at least the next 40 years? It's quite a commitment, and is definitely not for everyone. It takes a special kind of pet keeper to own a parrot -- and they're a special kind of pet.
Learn even more about the Scarlet Macaw at http://www.petcarejournal.com - a website designed to provide you with articles on Pet Birds and resources that will help you get the most out of your pet keeping experience, no matter what type of pet you own.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Manning
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