Macaw Species
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 Blue and gold macaws hand feeding
Blue and Gold Macaws
are by far the most widely kept species. I would attribute this to the good availability of babies since this species has been found to breed quite redily in captivity. They need to be hand fed for three months or more. The Blue and Gold is what I would term a cool colored (cool meaning color temp) bird that hasBlue and gold macaws are very energetic a spectacular arrange of Blues, yellows, blacks, and greens. Coloring on this macaw is spectacular. I often take it for granted because there are so many around. In order for this macaw to be recognized internationally by the same name it has been given a scientific or "latin" name. Belonging to the genus ARA the Blue and Gold is refered to as Ara-arauna. You may notice in the pictures that baby Blue and Golds have dark almost black eyes and older adults eyes turn a silver pale yellow. For reasons not totally understood Blue and Golds have a greater tendency to pluck their feathers. Not all birds pluck and there certainly are ways to prevent plucking but this species is more susceptible.
 
    When birds were being imported there seemed to be about three different sizes... one was quite large, then a mid-sized, and even a smaller species that was described as being more yellow and less orange/yellow. Unfortunately I believe the 3 species have been intermixed so much that these different sizes are becoming much less distinguishable. The smaller yellower species was described by Joan Abramson (author of The Large Macaws) "as being more high-strung and louder." Might have been nice to exclude this speciesBlue and gold macaws are very active and love to show off from being inter-mixed in what is now our (the U.S.) Blue and Gold blood line. These distinct sizes and color differences are not noted in any other books that I can find but have been confirmed by ornithologists and aviculturists that commonly inspected birds that had been gathered from certain areas to be imported out of the country. 

Blue and gold Macaws make wonderful pets if you are prepared to properly keep them. From the great number of birds being re-homed it is obvious that too many people don't plan ahead when obtaining this magnificent macaw. The blue and gold is a fabulous show-off and really loves to interact with people and new things. They need to be stimulated daily with things you can do with them and provide for them. Just like dogs, they like to go on walks, hikes, a day in the park, mabey even a ride on the handle bars of your bycicle. Be creative and on this site I'm going to try and provide owners with new ideas and things they can do to keep the excitement alive as a bird owner.     Blue and gold macaws make great pets 




When socialising this particular species strong efforts need to be made to keep this species tame and loving. Usually not because the Blue and gold is a harder macaw but Because nurseries can be overloaded with blue and golds.(they are prolific once a pair gets going) It takes a lot of work to keep all the babies interacting and playing with toys and people. Bird breeders either need to hire nursery handfeeders / handlers or wholesale the extra babies to bird stores or professional handlers. When making your purchase on a blue and gold be sure you discuss how well the bird has been socialised.

Blue and gold macaw baby


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   Greenwing MacawsGreenwing macaws are very large, but gentle natured (the proper name is Greenwinged macaw) are becoming more common now as people are breeding more of them and people keeping them are finding out about their very sweet gentle nature. The beak, which appears all white when they are babies, and a combination of white upper and black lower as adults, can be very intimidating.
 
Indeed the Greenwing Macaw has a very strong beak capable of opening the hardest nuts, even Macadamian nuts!

The name greenwing doesn't really fit this predominantly red macaw but that is what we're stuck with. The name comes from a large patch of green feathers on the middle of each wing. Greenwing macaws can take up to six months to wean

The green on the wing and the red feather tracts on the face are what differentiate this macaw from the scarlet.
Of course there are many other differences for "macaw" people. Even with these noted markings I have seen published books with the Greenwing Macaw mis-represented as a Scarlet. This is probably due to the relatively new existence of the Greenwinged Macaw in the pet market. Scarlet Macaws have been in the pet trade and the public eye for much longer.

The red of the Greenwing is a crimson red, deep dark red that is absolutely beautiful as it encompasses the white face and white upper beak. The eyes like other macaws are dark when they're babies and pale silver/yellow as adults. The Greenwinged Macaw also came into the U.S. in different sizes. Most breeders refer to the largest ones as jumbo or giant greenwings. This is a large bird and requires a large living space. As with most macaws, simply putting them in an Iron rod cage, with some toys, just doesn't cut the mustard with these animals. Be creative! Mabey before you buy, planning an outside habitat would be nice, as well as inside cage, and play area. Greenwing Macaws are big, gentle, and very steady when handled properly. The scientific name for these big guys is Ara-chloropterus. The babies are big and eat a ton. The weaning time for a Greenwing Macaw can be 4 to 6 months. They are more than worth the extra money they cost.    

Buffons Macaws, I sure lov'emBuffons Macaws are very robust and heavy



The Great Green Macaw
The Great green Macaw as they have been named in years past is one of the most beautiful large parrots I have ever seen! Yes they are predominantly green but the green is a vibrant beautiful color that "Glows" It appears to be tinted in blue. If you are a cool colored macaw person then this bird will amaze you. Their face is almost always a shade of flush red but gets deep red when excited. IMO they are nothing like a Millitary Macaw as they are so often compared with. Not that millies are bad ...just different. The Buffons is barrel chested and girthy, a heafty bird with a large jet black beak. Most weigh in at about 1400 to 1600 grams.


Buffons Macaw Personality
I don't have enough personal data to give a fair discription, but from what I have read they are not as gentle as a greenwing. My experience with my bird Sarge has been that he is more like a Scarlet in temperament. This macaw is definately an advanced to above handlers bird. Because of their size and strength a good bite can crush a finger, hand, wrist, or anywhere else you may get pinched...ouch. So here is the thing, this has been my personal experience and may not be the same with other individuals. For the most part they are content and quiet during the day which for me is purely a golden trait. I very much enjoy the greater challenge with the buffons and absolutely would place them in the top three macaws for serious owners to either breed or keep. On the other hand I would not recommend this macaw for bird owners new to the large macaws.


Buffons Macaw Diet
This macaw depends highly on almond trees! Very nice for us owners since we can easily feed one of the main components of the Buffons natural diet. The almond trees not only serve as a food source but also the trees provide nesting opportunities for these macaws. These macaws have done well in captivity using diets similar to those used for other large macaws. A diet of some vegetables, fruits, commercial pellets, seed mixes, and large nuts... especially almonds. I like to provide trace elements of extra protein, calcium, beta carotenes, and spirulina.

Buffons Distribution
The Buffons Macaw is found in Costa Rica as well as Nicaragua, Panama, Western Colombia, Ecuador and Easternmost Honduras. In 2008 Costa Rica passed a law to protect both the Buffons Macaw, and the yellow almond tree.
The Scarlet Macaw
is in many ways just like the rest of the large macaws, a big beak, fabulous colors, loves attention, and learns to talk. The Scarlet macaw is often refered to as "nippy", more agressive, and head strong. I am here to tell you that they are just as wonderful as any of the other macaws only a little more sensative to abuse and neglect. Im I saying that it's peoples fault they have this reputation? Damn straight. 
    Let me explain abuse and neglect and how it may affect your macaw. Too many people think that a parrot and a black square cage go together like a fish in a bowl. Listen carefully when I say that leaving your parrot in a steel cage most of the day is abussive. Think outside "the box" when preparing your macaws environment. Many people have converted extra rooms into small jungles full of branches, ropes, play stands, ect... Even if

 

your limited on space your Scarlets sleeping space "the cage" can be converted into the launching pad for branches, ropes, and your imagination to invite your macaw to explore, swing, hang upside down, you know...be freeeeee! Neglect is building this wonderful environment, or not, and forgetting your bird is there at all untill he starts screaming, literally, for attention. 
    Let's talk a bit about the Scarlet macaws personality. Scarlets are sensative to neglect, mistreatment, or abuse. More sensative than other species of macaws. They are also very intellegent and loving when treated properly. Scarlets like to cuddle, they like to play, and they like to be with YOU. Yes they talk and have been said to be very good talkers when you spend the time to teach them. All macaws bite, yep they bite, so if this scares you then a macaw may not be the right bird. The good thing is that you can train them that bitting hurts and is not acceptable. Nevertheless, it is not realistic to think you should never get bit. Macaws use their beaks to feel their way around and part of that feeling around is applying pressure to different objects they encounter. Yep, your fingers and skin will be explored, but it doesn't mean you let them have their way with you. A simple "NO" usually works fine followed by diverting their attention to a toy or other object. Flicking their beak, dropping them, or just blatantly hitting them will turn a Scarlet into a ferocious beast. O yeah and one little trick that Scarlets are famous for is the pinch and twist, oh yeah, they love to do that if you let them. Remember, easy does it with reprimands but be consistent. No, they wont bite your finger off (or a small childs arm as I once read in a macaw forum) but I wouldn't let any macaw sit on my shoulder close to my face. They are exotic, a step from the wild, animals.
    The Scarlet macaw is one of the most beautiful birds in the world. They make great pets for the right people. If your one of those people, or want to become one of those people, then this is a great bird to own. I have a wonderful Scarlet Macaw and she is no more nippy, or unpredictable than any of my other 7 macaw pets. She is in fact one of  my most trusted birds with "strangers." If you would like one of these California raised beauties, please apply by sending me an e-mail and we'll talk. ara.amor@verizon.net  Bill S.
Red Fronted Macaw

The size of the Red fronted is perfect for people who want a real large macaw but can't seem to make the jump to the real big guys. A red fronted is about the size of a large amazon parrot but with a longer tail.

Red Fronted Macaws come from a small area in Bolivia and are endangered in their native habitat. Luckily these great medium macaws are breeding well in captivity and are being offered as pets. I personally own two and have found him them to be very smart and quite comical. They love to a root around in the dirt in my "macaw garden" they are a special part of my flock.

With breeders coming and going we could easily loose this macaw in captivity. I strongly encourage macaw enthusiests who can properly care for these macaws to support the breeders that are working with them.

The size of the Red fronted is perfect for people who want a real large macaw but can't seem to make the jump to the big guys. A Red Fronted is about the size of a large amazon parrot but with a longer tail.

If you ever thought about haveing a free flighted macaw in the house these guys are so precise and delicate flyers ..... just amazing.

Red Fronted macaws get an orange pigment, color to their skin, when exposed to the sun. Macaws like all parrots need natural sunlite to produce vitamin D in their systems which is an essential vitamin to facilitate calcium absorption. Make sure your birds are getting unfiltered sunlite or at the least a special full spectrum light source. Sunlight through a glass window filters out the ultra violet rays...... doesn't count.  



Blue throated macaws

are in fact a very new species in American aviculture. The very good news is that they are proving to be very prolific for breeders here in the U.S. and as a result are finding there way into the pet market. This species is quite rare in it's natural habitat and apparently is critically endangered. It has been estimated that only 300 to 350 individuals are left in the wild. They are a protected within their range of distribution which is very small in comparison to other macaw species. They are thought to be endemic (only found) to a flatland area in Bolivia called the Beni savannah. There are three major problems facing the Blue Throated Macaw that I can see based on their current situation. First problem is that they are an endemic species, meaning that they are only found up until now in a very small area. This is similar to an island species that is only found on a small island. The second problem is that they are not a forest dwelling parrot where their habitat and nesting areas would be protected by huge ravines or hillsides that are unusable to farmers or land developers. Because they are found in the flatlands, and nest in palm tree clusters, they are very susceptible to farming and land development that would threaten their food source and their nesting areas. The third problem is that they are competing with the larger more abundant Blue and Gold Macaw for valuable nest sites.

What is being done

From what I have found there are a few aviculturist working with the species to help generate more birds here in captivity. This is a noble task and should be commended, nonetheless, it will do nothing for the birds in their natural habitat in Bolivia. What it will do is help keep the species alive and available in american aviculture. True conservation of the species within Bolivia needs to be done in Bolivia. The latest information is that Armonia/ loro parque fundacion is spearheading the pure and true conservation of the species in Bolivia. These conservation efforts are being led by Mauricio Herrera. Notably, an organisation in Texas called Bird Endowment is breeding Blue Throated Macaws in a conservation effort, but more importantly is providing a way to help increase nest box availability in Bolivia by allowing people like me and you to become "beni factors." This means that for every 250.00 dollars donated an artificial nest will be constructed and placed in the range of the Blue Throats. Interestingly they are marking the nest box with the dona tor's initials and keeping track of what happens within each nest box each year. Sounds fun! but conservation is not without its challenges. Of the 40 some nest boxes that have been placed over the past two years only 4 or 5 have been used by the Blue Throats. Ironically the Blue and Gold Macaw has been detrimental to the success of the program by using 24 of the boxes provided. Unfortunately the more common Blue and Gold is in competition with the endangered Blue Throats for nesting sites. A perfect example of two like species occupying the same niche. If left unchecked the natural consequence of such a situation is that one species is either forced to extinction or adapts by finding a new niche that does not entirely overlap with the dominant species. Such an adaptation historically is rare. A huge abundance of nest boxes could help the situation but ultimately an alternative nesting arrangement needs to be found. This could be as simple as height at which the nest is placed by doing a study to find if there are differences in acceptable nesting heights by Blue and Golds and Blue throats, or it could prove to require more thought and research.
 
The Blue Throated Macaw is a fabulous species, definitely, worth the efforts being made to save it both in american aviculture as well as in its' native habitat. People are getting involved and things are being done which is very encouraging. A huge amount of time and resources will be needed in Bolivia for the Loro park foundation to be successful. These birds make excellent pets although they are still somewhat "pricey." I would encourage anyone who wants a new twist in macaw ownership to get one. I am a firm believer that purchasing rare species in captivity should be encouraged. Yes! you read that right! If rarer species don't have a strong demand breeders wont breed them... sad result is they become no longer available in captivity. So yes, buying baby Blue Throats is the best way to keep them in american aviculture. 

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