Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Orlando, FL In aviary: Camelot Macaws "Comet" & "Tusa"

When my three macaws were under 1 year old, they shared an aviary outside. They did really well together and hardly ever fought. I made sure food dishes were plentiful, water was always around and high perches were even and there were many for everyone. Nothing was to be "fought over" because there was one or more for each one of them. But as they've all turned over 1 year old, and continue to get older, they've needed their own space more and more. They're becoming more independent and will fight just to be fighting. And even though everything is still plentiful, they will fight over wanting their own space more than ever. Now, each macaw gets their own aviary to themselves. And the only time they share is when we have company with birds and once a week they share for the morning and afternoon as that is cleaning day for all the cages indoors. They've become used to the once a week sharing thing. Our toucan inhabits the other aviary as well as our medium sized birds sharing the third one so no one ends up in travel cages while cleaning. They get to watch instead! I think they're most tolerent of this because they get to see people the whole time. So there is something else to focus on rather than each other and the lack of space for those few hours.

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.