To clarify, most of my RFMs came with closed bands or verifiable documentation and were captive-raised in USA. I know of a few wild caught birds still with original breeder owners. I would agree with all the info in above threads and about the high price ($20,000- $25,000 US Dollars) for the original imported birds. In 2013 and 2014, RFMs were selling as low as $ 900 and I discovered that some were available in adoption/rescue situations for nominal amounts. I paid $700 for a lovely Male RFM in 2017 who had been thru multiple homes and was characterized as having behavioral issues. Most of my birds were described as having behavioral issues. My avian veterinarian has referred several clients to me who had RFMs that they could no longer keep. Most of my birds were feather pickers and came to me plucked. One was a self-mutilator and my avian veterinarian diagnosed an aspergillus infection and was treated with Itraconazole once daily for 2 months due to severity and long-term history of self-mutilation before I acquired the bird. Many breeders have told me that they had trouble marketing a young RFM due to lack of full coloration compared to a blue-throat macaw. Non hand-raised birds sometimes ended up in breeding situations and we may have as many as we seem to do to that reason. There are zoos in USA that use RFMs on the children's zoo as they are so predictable, comical, and charismatic. My interest in captive parrots, whether wild caught or captive bred, has been the humane care in captivity and to promote education to pet owners on the proper care and why, frankly, most parrots are not the best choice of a pet for most people. We are overwhelmed with parrots in the US who are unwanted or with owners who can no longer keep them. It is hard for me to justify breeding these critically endangered birds just to have them end up in not the best circumstances for their needs. I prefer that captive bred parrots raise their own offspring, if at all possible. More info later.
