I think "assertive" (by the human) is the wrong mind set to have with any parrot. They don't live under a dominant/submissive hierarchy.
Big macaws aren't for everyone. They are quite noisy, destructive and need a lot of room. I just can't imagine them being in a house all the time. I just don't think they make very good house pets. A Pionus, on the other hand, is a very sweet, sweet species. My White Capped Pionus is just the sweetest bird you could imagine. She would be very happy to spend the rest of her life sitting on my shoulder. Many Pionus are problematic with other birds. I was worried she would be aggressive with the little chickens in her flight, but she isn't bothering them at all.
You can get your Pionus outside in a small aviary. New research is showing calcium/skeleton problems in captive birds--they really need sunlight for vitamin D and calcium. If you are worried about predators (and you should always think about what could get your bird), you can double wire it. A simple 2x2 frame with strong wire on both sides screwed in rather than stapled will keep anything out. It doesn't have to be a huge aviary, but make sure there is lots of cover when the bird first goes out. Covering the top with a towel and giving lots of branches with leaves to chew on and hide in will get the bird used to being outside.
My Pionus does not want to fly outside. She was clipped when I bought her at a year of age and I think that has had a long-term effect on her psyche. If I take her out, she just sits on my shoulder and won't fly. I don't take her out here in Texas because she is a small bird (205 grams) and lots of birds could take her.
Janet
--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, Linda <zoostuffs@...> wrote:
>
> I have a Maximilian pionus, named Kiwi (so named because he's green).
> He is such a wonderful birdie citizen. I have him fully flighted in my
> home. I'm afraid to take him outside, not because of predators, though
> I should think about that. I'm afraid that the neighbor's dog will bark
> and scare him and he'd fly away. So his only outdoor experience is in a
> small carry cage when going to the vet or something. I've thought of
> trying to harness train him but not sure if he'd accept a harness.
> Parrots are such neat pets. When someone says they have a macaw makes
> me want one too. But I'm not sure I can be consistently assertive
> enough to work with a macaw. The macaw would become master of the house.
>
> Linda
>
>
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