Macaws might be the best lifetime human companion imaginable, for those with the time, skill, patience, and dedication required to keep these super intelligent and deeply complex creatures happy and healthy.

To successfully live with a Macaw requires the human to always consider their needs first. When it comes to having your Macaw step up, permit preening or wrestling, holding, or having your Macaw sit on your shoulder or knee, the human caretaker must accurately determine that the Macaw actually wants and desires this type of human-macaw interaction.

Humans that fail to realize this essential skill will repeatedly get bitten, and then think the Macaw is the problem.

Macaws are not a companion that is as forgiving or as obedient as a dog can be with intense training protocols. Almost all dogs enjoy touch, petting, and even rough play any time the human wants to engage in this activity with their dog. Macaws need to grant permission via their 'body language' before they will permit physical play or interaction, without permission first, biting is usually the result.

Macaws are fiercely independent and need to be considered in this way. Respecting their 'space' is essential. Allowing them to choose physical interaction with their human is also essential. Macaws can be very loving and enjoy a variety of physical contact, but ALWAYS on their terms, and with their approval.

People with macaws that complain on social media about how often they are bitten, are simply not aware of the level of respect Macaws need when it comes to humans demanding to touch them.

Hopefully this 2020 Christmas Eve video will demonstrate this.