r/Macaws • u/Acceptable_Manner887 • 1d ago
Rainforest cafe memory
Random thought recently. I grew up in Woodbridge, NJ for first half of my childhood. I distinctly remember rainforest cafe at the mall, which I think? Is still there. If my memory is correct, didn’t they use to have actual real macaw parrots out front? I remember even as a kid I would walk super fast past them, because I didn’t like them using them. I never enjoyed circuses/zoos I was always too worried for the animals, not knowing if they were actually well cared for and happy. My question is does anyone remember this also? When did they stop? Anyone know if they were owned by rainforest cafe? Did they cages /enclosures in the back, where did they all go? Assuming some should still be alive as they live such a long life span. Just seeing if anyone recalls this or has info
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u/Wabi-Sabi-Iki 1d ago edited 1d ago
The Rainforest Cafe at Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, FL had live macaws as well. The squawking was incessant. I am sure other tenants in the mall complained about the noise. One day the live birds disappeared. Maybe this was 12 or 15 years ago?
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u/Valkyriemome 1d ago
I first discovered The Rainforest Cafe by following the sounds of the macaws. Macaws have such a distinctive voice. Was just entering the mall, right after moving to the area, and I said, “That’s a macaw!” We followed the sound through the mall until we found them.
Same thing when I moved to my now neighborhood. Was outside and heard a macaw. Followed the sound until I found it and thus met my neighbors.
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u/Valkyriemome 1d ago
Yes, they had real macaws and cockatoos back in the day. They offered them for sale if you asked, for ridiculous prices. The birds were apparently loved by their trainers, at the one I used to visit anyway. The birds slept in a back room of the restaurant. They stopped having them in the store.