Moon's Graden

1.  I have heard they are not EXTREMELY loud.  Is that what you have found if
you have one?

2.  Have you had much luck teaching a Noble/Hahn's macaw to talk?

3.  Do you know of any special food requirements?

4.  Have you been able to potty train your bird?

5.  Any hints about sexing the bird visibly?

Please respond as soon as possible.  This is my first bird in ages.  I had
budgies as a ***ager, lovebirds many years ago that drove my husband crazy,
and a pair of Zebra finches that did not believe in zero population growth.
However, I am a birder and have a sincere interest in birds.

Francine

Based on our reading, observations of other Noble/Hahn's, discussions with
breeders, and two years with Mr Chips, our Hahn's macaw, we can answer most
of your questions with the caveat that bird's are individual and unique and
your training and time spent with the bird will determine how well he/she
will mature.  First, get the book, "Guide to a well-behaved Parrot", by
Mattie Sue Athan.  This book is excellent and should be read from cover to
cover about every six months as one seems to discover new nuggets as you
deal with your fid (feathered kid).

1.  Noble's are not extremely loud when they scream compared to a full
sized macaw, but they can be annoying if they carry on.  Young birds tend
to be quiet unless they were in a loud environment and left alone much of
the time.  Vocalization is OK, but the bird must know the limits.
2.  Noble/Hahn's macaws can develop an extensive vocabulary, but they
usually aren't clear speakers like greys or amazons.  You won't have any
trouble understanding them and they can be extremely amusing.  Mr Chips is
always breaking us up with his comments.  Just last night he was telling
some of our friends "bye-bye" as they were preparing to leave around 9:00
PM and when I asked him what time is was he said "nite-nite", which he says
when he wants to be covered.
3.  Our Mr Chip's gets pelletized food, and fruits, veggies, cereal, and
some of our food at supper (he's a pasta freak).  He gets one tablespoon of
a good seed mix for a treat every evening when we clean the cages.
4.  Mr Chips is potty trained and all it takes is some consistancy during
the process.
5.  Most people say you can't sex the Noble/Hahn's visibly, while some say
a bird with a larger head is probably a male.  My question is - larger than
what?  If you have a lot of birds, you may be able to make that work, but
an individual would only be guessing.

My wife says to give that little one lots of love.  You're going to really
enjoy him/her.

Tom & Winnie

Electrooptical Devices Group          |   thing you know, close a deal
MIT Lincoln Lab                       |   with a handshake, and HAVE FUN.

Congratulations!  Looks like I'll be bird sitting for you at some point (:-)
in the future.

When you bring the new member of the family home, I'd love to drop by and meet
her/him.

WHere did you purchase the new family member?

Barbara