I know this is the dog searching pages but wasn't sure where to post this.  :-O

I am considering either of these exotic pets and wondered if anyone out there can give me the pro's and cons. I have researched alot on both animals but would prefer hands on comments from people who have either of these pets.  I have alot of space and would be making my own cage so the size will not be restricted to what is available to buy, I will make it really big!

I have previously had an Amazon and a Timneh Grey who were old rescue birds and after being with me for a very long time have now sadly died. They both came to me in bad condition, the Timneh completely bald and I managed to get them both extremely healthy. I have always loved the Macaw and have handled one many years ago so do realise how different in size they are compared to the other parrots.   :-D

Regarding the marmoset, the nearest I have to experience with primates is when I used to share my hourly dinner time with a spider monkey at one of the animal sanctuaries where I worked many years ago.

Any information or help would be very much appreciated either good :-) or bad :-(, I want to know everything possible before taking either on. 

Truely.  :-P

Truely,

I've no idea at all....but looking forward to reading any replies as I'd love to own a Macaw.

Take care, and best of luck,

Lisa

I don't know if this will help in your decision making, but we had a marmoset breeding project near us (part of a world wide project) and the information we were given is that they are very sociable, like to live in family groups and will not thrive without constant company of their own kind - like most primates.

The link below may help you make up your mind

http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk

Absolutely no offence intended - BUT - If you need to research marmosets then they are not for you.  It is sooo much more than a bit of research then building a cage, as Dill mentioned they require social groups, also cage furniture, environment enrichment devices, specialist veterinary care, specialist feeding, and thats just the tip of the iceberg!!
Sarah

I agree I think they would be alot of work...If you really want the marmoset I would find someone who cares for them and see what is all involved...I would love one they are sooo cute, but wouldn't want the work involved I would never have the time.

The Macaw to need alot of attention or they get real lonely....and start plucking feathers ect.

Maybe check out someplace and see about rescueing one...

Either way looking forward to reading this post.
Choosing a Primate
Marmoset Behaviour
Animal world

Hope these are of some interest, I found them interesting :)

Marmosets monkeys are not ideal pets.
they carry germs and they can be inected with hepatitis b , you need regualar tetnuses as they bite alot.
Marmosets are also a one person animals as are parrots but beware a marmoset bite is a lot worse than a macaw.
Marmosets do urinate over there owner as its there sign of love and owning...sort of like how a dog marks his/her spot. they also are very easy to catch colds and they need to be seperated away from you if you have a cold as a simple cold to us can be life threatning to these creatures. they love to be fed live crickets and grasshoppers and any other live insects they also need a diet of fresh fruit and veg, they will also destroy your house !!!!
i used to keep parrots untill my son left the back door open and my african grey flew of .
Macaw parrots are great as long as you can accept loud noises as there squack is very loud!!! there great pets but they are also house wreckers and will strip any piece of wood or pull anything apart... they have very strong beaks and will not find anything in the way to destroy, if you chose a parrot make sure its hand reared as one thats parent reared is not easy to become tame . remeber not to clip wings yourself go to a special vet who deals with birds as they have a special feather which if you damage can damage the bird.
Parrots should be fed not just parrot mix but should have mixed nutrisious diet of sunflowers seed corn and also chili pepers but they also need a diet of fresh fruit which has to be every day. I had one orange winged amazon parrot who would only eat sunflowers seeds as a result of this she died as she was not getting the diet she needed and was getting to much fat and oil in her diet.

to be perfectly honest with you if you have never owned an exotic animal start of with an african grey ..there great talkers and they are great pets and there alot easier to keep than an macaw or marmoset

Thanks for your replies, keep them coming.

I am now swaying towards the Macaw and even contemplating a pair as I don't believe animals should be without a friend of the same species. After visiting the sites some of you have mentioned I have gained even more insight into marmosets and have come to the conclusion that they should have very large outdoor apiaries rather than indoor cages however big they might be. They do not really sound like they adapt to being pets and as there are so many illnesses which they can contract from us I would not like to submit a poor marmie to anything which it might catch from me (apparently even a cold sore can kill them - I do suffer from coldsores quite frequently).

As I have had the two parrots I mentioned previously (Timneh and Amazon) I feel I already understand the care and feeding which goes along with ownership of the Macaw but would still like to hear from anyone who actually owns one or more in a home environment who can give me more information.

Thanks so much. Truely. :-P