The Hahn’s macaw is the smallest member of the macaw family. Despite their size, these beautiful birds are known for their colourful – and larger-than-life – personalities, and their petite stature makes them a popular choice as pets among bird-loving humans.
These characteristics appealed to Elliane Arriany Mustapha when she was searching for a bird that could fit her lifestyle. “I prefer smaller birds as they are easier to handle and can also be tamed easily,” she said.
In August 2020, the 38-year-old got her first Hahn’s macaw. She named the one-month-old Pickles.
“But after Pickles arrived, I thought it wasn’t fair to keep her alone,” Elliane told FMT. So she eventually got another bird – also a month old – and named her Kiki.
According to Elliane, each girl has her own unique personality, and even their voices are different.
The clever birds know how to wish Elliane “good morning” and “good night”, on top of saying their own names and telling their human “I love you”.
Charmingly, when Elliane says “give me a kiss”, they respond with a “muah”! “And if I don’t kiss them back, they will bite me,” she added with a laugh.
She also shared that Pickle loves to be petted but Kiki doesn’t. But this isn’t the only difference between them – in fact, despite looking similar, Kiki has one stark distinguishing quality: she only has one wing.
“When she was young, she developed a fever and it lasted for almost two months,” Elliane recalled. “I even visited the veterinarian nine times in one month as her condition got really bad.
“I was told to prepare for the worst because she might not make it.”
Remarkably, the little bird beat the odds. But she also developed an infection in one of her wings and, despite receiving treatment, eventually lost the feathered limb.
Despite this setback, Elliane draws inspiration from little Kiki. “Through her, I’ve learnt not to give up on life. She is a very strong bird.
“For example, although Pickles can fly over to me, Kiki has to climb down and walk towards me instead. She needs a lot of energy to do that – that’s how strong she is.”
She added: “I can tell Kiki is a very happy bird. She makes use of what she has and carries on with her life. She is special.”
The girls enjoy a diet of pellets and vegetables. They also love passionfruit – and their mum indulges them every day.
Sometimes, when they are hungry, the pair will fight over food. But despite this “love-hate relationship”, as Elliane fondly puts it, the birds have a strong bond.
“When I take Pickles out for free-flight activities, Kiki, who will be on my shoulder, screams. I don’t have to worry about Pickles getting lost because she will always fly back to Kiki.”
Free flight refers to unrestricted outdoor flight for birds who have been trained to return to their owners. Elliane is a member of the Kuala Lumpur Freefly Community, a group of enthusiasts who gather and allow their birds to take to the skies freely.
In addition, the pair enjoy going on walks with Elliane. “They’ll sit on my shoulders, and I will play some music,” Elliane shared.
“Their favourite song is ‘Dear Future Husband’ by Meghan Trainor. When they hear it, they start screaming and bob their heads!”
So, how have Pickles and Kiki impacted their human’s life? “It is definitely a commitment,” she said in reflection. “My schedule revolves around them, and I even take them on holidays or road trips with me.
“But they are my babies and family. I keep telling them, ‘Please live a long life and let’s grow old together’.”
Are you a fan of free-flying feathered friends? Read more stories here, here and here. Also follow the adventures of Pickles and Kiki on Instagram.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.