Macaws typically choose a mate for life and spend the majority of their time together sharing food grooming and caring for young. Unfortunately, these majestic birds are hovering on the edge of disappearing from their habitats.
Habitat destruction by humans and cage bird trade and poaching pose a major threat to this beautiful species.
Great Green Macaw
The magnificent green Macaw (Ara-ambiguus) is among the largest parrots found in Central America. It is also one of the most striking and vibrant birds in the rainforest canopy. Its vivid green plumage is enhanced by the red of its forehead and blue on its lower back, rump, and tail feathers. Its wings and tail are long and pointed which allows it to move easily through the forest canopy. Its strong, large beak is designed to break open nuts and seeds. The great green Macaw is a fugivore and, therefore is a key player in sustaining healthy ecosystems of the rainforest. Its seed dispersal helps species of trees such as the maiz-based tree Dipteryxoleifera flourish and provide food to other species of animals.
The majestic birds are generally seen in small or pair groups and spend most of their time in the forest canopy looking for fruits, nuts and seeds. They are known to nest in hollow tree cavities which they usually line with grass and branches. Females lay between two and three eggs, which she will incubate for between 26 and 28 days. After the chicks hatch males help feed them.
Captive great green macaws are extremely intelligent and playful birds that make excellent companion animals. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that these birds require plenty of space, attention and patience in order to thrive. They are susceptible to biting and could be destructive if bored. They also are susceptible to health issues like proventricular dilatation or macaw-related wasting.
The great green macaw is declining as are many other species of tropical origin. Their habitat is being destroyed by logging and mining, agriculture and cattle ranching. The illegal trade in wildlife and hunting for food is also affecting their numbers.
Protecting the habitat of these incredible creatures is the only way to ensure their survival. Creating corridors between protected areas will allow them to move freely and gain access to a variety of different foods sources. In the end, protecting the natural habitats of these beautiful birds can help protect other endangered species that share their habitats.
Blue and Gold Macaw
This beautiful bird is one of the most loved parrots in captivity all over the world. It is smart, affectionate, and very active. It requires a great deal of interaction and training, but is a great pet if it is properly trained. However, macaws can be notoriously aggressive if not properly trained and surrounded by clearly defined boundaries. It is crucial to hire an expert trainer who understands how to handle large bird and is able to teach tricks. Dave and Jamieleigh, from BirdTricks, have created a great video that shows how to handle the Blue and Gold Macaw. They offer some tips, tricks, and methods to aid anyone in training a macaw so that it is a pleasure to play with. Click HERE to watch their video.
A parrot species in the family, gold and blue macaws are neotropical birds that are native to forest (especially in varzea zones) and woodland and savannah habitats found in tropical Central America and South America as in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. The macaws have a mainly blue dorsum, tail feathers and gradient shades of green on their head. They also have accents of gold or yellow. Their wings and wing coversts are blue with green highlights. Their feet are zygodactyl with two toes pointed in the direction of forward and backwards, a design that allows them to grasp branches with ease.
They are monogamous and pair for life and stay together during the breeding season. They dig up tree cavities using their powerful beaks to build nests. They typically lay two to three eggs and incubate them for up to 25 days. After hatching the altricial chicks are fed through regurgitation by both parents until they can take care of themselves.
Like all macaws, they're intelligent birds that can communicate an array of emotions through a variety vocalizations. They also display a variety courtship behaviors including cocking the head, flirting with raised wings and blushing. They can also express their emotions by shaking their tail feathers and bowing, prancing, and bouncing.
They are playful and love to chew on toys. Therefore, it is recommended that owners offer various durable safe bird-friendly toys that can withstand their powerful jaw muscles. This will help keep teeth healthy and prevent the development of plaque and tartar.
Red-shouldered Macaw
This tiny bird, also called the Hahn's Macaw is one of the most intelligent macaws. It's a very good speaker and can learn many tricks. It's also calmer than other macaws, which makes it a great choice for people who may be concerned about a loud parrot. While it can nip as an infant, it typically gets over this behavior and can be very playful an adult.
This bird is native to savannahs, swamplands and tropical lowland habitats across Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana and South-eastern Peru. The vibrant green color is perfect for camouflaging among the vegetation. It lays two to five eggs and then incubates them for 24 days. After about two months the chicks are ready fledge. This species typically couples for life and is often found in pairs.
In its natural habitat, it hunts for berries and flowers and fruits, nuts, seeds and leaves. They are also known to consume bugs. They also congregate on cliffs of clay, which are thought to remove any toxins they may have picked up from their food sources.
Like other macaws, Hahn's Macaws are prone to self-mutilation and feather plucking nutritional disorders, proventricular dilatation disease and overgrown beaks. However, a well-balanced diet, regular veterinary checks and proper cage maintenance can help prevent these issues from forming.
This bird can live up to 50 years in captivity. It is not typically sold in large pet stores, but it is sold in avian-specialty stores and from breeders of birds. It is intelligent, but can be difficult to train for a novice. It is a very good talker and can be taught to whistle, clap, and dance.
Hahn's Macaws can be extremely loud and are not recommended for apartment living. These birds require a large cage with plenty of perches and food bowls. They also need to be able to run regularly outside of the cage. They are also strong chewers, and need cages that are secure.
Blue and yellow Macaw
The Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is an enormous, beautiful tropical parrot. Like other members of the Blondie scarlet macaw bird family it is monogamous and pairs for life. It also has a strong inclination towards mimicry which makes it a great companion bird.
This species is native South America and can be found across a wide range of habitats. This includes cloud forests, savannas and rainforests. The Blue-and-Yellow glaucous macaw is deemed to be endangered by the IUCN Conservation efforts are underway to save this magnificent animal.
The birds can breed at the age of 3 or 4 years. They are often paired for life and remain bonded until one of the partners dies. The Blue-and yellow macaw lays between two and three eggs in each nest. The female incubates the eggs while the male fights for the nest. Once the chicks hatch, they are altricial and must rely on their parents for food until they can feather themselves and consume food for themselves.
In the wild, Macaws are social birds and spend their time in flocks of other parrots and Macaws. They are highly intelligent and can learn a wide variety of sounds. The Blue-and Yellow is a skilled flyer. It can be observed performing amazing aerial maneuvers and flying through the forest canopy.
The Blue-and-Yellow macaw is a stunning and charming creature. It is a wonderful option for those looking for a pet who will provide companionship and entertainment.
This bird is beautiful, large, tropical parrot that is native to South America. It is a monogamous species that is a couple for life, and has a strong tendency towards mimicry. It is inclined to bond with humans and can master a wide range of words and phrases.
The Leia blue macaw and red macaw (try what he says)-and Yellow Macaw is breeding when it is 3 to 4 years old. Blue-and-yellow Macaws form a pair for life and live in small groups. The Blue-and Yellow can be found in many habitats that include cloud forests, savannas, rainforests, and jungles. The Blue-and Yellow prefers to build nests in tree cavities that they construct by using their powerful beaks. Females will lay between 2 and 3 eggs, and incubate them for around a month.