"Don’t get a Macaw" - is the advice from an Isle of Wight woman who owns one - loves her and free flies her around the Island.
Scroll for pictures and a video
Katie Balmer from Sandown has owned her adorable female Macaw called Saffy since she was 12 weeks old and she is thought to be the only free-flying bird on the Island.
Training is particularly taxing - especially with a bird that’s scream can be heard from 5 miles away - which is why Katie says the “bond” is crucial (and probably explains why she showers with Saffy every day!)
Saffy started free-flying inside for 6 weeks at first then after “a lot of commitment” she was able to free-fly outside.
"I was always in awe of macaws"
Katie says “a stroke of insanity” led her to become the mother of a green-winged Macaw - and she chose the breed because of their “gentle nature” and ability to “bond” with their owner.
Katie, who when she isn’t with Saffy, works for charity Ability Dogs For Young People, says green-wing macaws are also brilliant for free-flying because of their bright colour and ability to make lots of noise.
Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio Katie said:
“I was always in awe of Macaws and I went to Florida and saw a big free-flight show where they had about 80 Macaws flying in the sky - then I started to do a bit of research and that’s how I originally got into Macaw ownership. I only wanted a bird if I was able to free fly it because I don’t agree with keeping these big birds in cadges with no enrichment”.
Asked what advice she would give to anyone thinking of getting a Macaw, she said:
“Don’t do it! These animals are big, they bite, they scream - which can be heard from five miles away...If you have got neighbours there is no chance - these birds need time, commitment and money and they are NOT good pets and I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone!”
"There’s a lot of risks"
Whenever Saffy, who is harnessed trained, is taken out to free- fly - of course, there is the risk that she may not return- but she always has.
Incoming weather, wind direction and birds of prey in the area are among the things Katie has to consider before she takes Saffy outside.
She says getting the “diet right” is vital not only for their quality of life but it is also key when training them for free-flight.
Keep your eyes to the skies!
If you are out walking and you keep your eyes to the skies, you may see Saffy near the two places she likes to free-fly.
The pair go to a footpath in Rookley and fields adjacent to Borthwood Copse.
Katie hopes Appley Beach could be another place they go to free-fly in the future.
WATCH a video of Saffy here.
Scroll through pictures of Saffy here...
Keep up to date with Saffy's progress via Facebook.
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