Macaws are lovely birds that are both challenging and rewarding as pets. They are native to North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The majority of them live in rainforests, while others prefer Savannah-like settings. Talking about the species, macaws have 17 pet species, all of which are parrot family members having bright plumage. The largest macaw species are Hyacinth, Great Green, Camelot Macaw and Green-winged macaws. With habitat perspective, they are fit for the jungle due to their colorful plumage and vast and powerful beaks, which they use skillfully to split open nuts and seeds. Macaws are very clever birds that connect with their owners on several levels. Moreover, they quickly learn new behaviors.
Species of Macaws
Among 17 species of macaws, most common are the ruby macaws, blue and gold macaws, green-winged macaws, hyacinth macaws, hybrid macaws, etc. If a person is planning to pet this parrot must get information about it. First, these birds need social interaction and high maintenance. Another thing that one must know these birds do not face any threats when in captivity. Furthermore, their appearances, traits, and other specifications do not relate to each other. Conclusively experts have classified them into three groups: the large macaw, the mini macaw, and the true macaw. You can get a detail as follow.
1. Scarlet Macaw
The Scarlet Macaw is a stunning parrot with a striking red hue all over its body, at the same time they also have yellow, blue, and white hue. Most people seek Scarlet Macaws because they are so attractive. It is a large parrot, similar to many other Macaws, typically measuring 3 feet long and weighing 2 to 3 pounds. You should be OK growing a Scarlet Macaw as long as you have the space to nurture a parrot. Talking about the lifespan, it has a 50-year lifetime on average and is a native of South America.
Why is scarlet macaw on the threats of extinction?
Only 300–400 scarlet macaws are thought to remain in the wild in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, making them an endangered species. They suffer from habitat degradation, wildfires, and the illicit wildlife trafficking, where their colorful plumage makes them very desirable.
2. Blue and Gold macaws
The blue and gold macaw may grow significantly, reaching 34–36 inches from beak to tail tip and up to 42 inches in wingspan. They also go by “blue and yellow macaws” and feature green heads, black chins, yellow underparts, and blue wings. These birds have potent yells and screams that include flock sounds since they frequently gather in flocks in the wild. They are pleasant, intelligent, and can mimic human speech. Due to its high care requirements, social needs, and higher expectations compared to cats or dogs, this bird may not be the best choice for first-time pet owners.
3. Spix’s Macaw
The looks of Spix’s macaw relate a lot to the scarlet macaw. Even sometimes, it is challenging to differentiate between both of them. A Spix’s Macaw typically measures approximately 2 feet in length, weighs around 1 pound on average, and is a little smaller than a Scarlet Macaw. Although they are smaller than many other macaws, they are still giant parrots and need a lot of extra space. A Spix’s Macaw is a native of Brazil, like many other Macaws, and has a 20–30-year lifespan. Spix’s Macaws are loud, gregarious, and active parrots who only want to play and have fun. In the long term, you should be OK with your parrot as long as you give them adequate care and ensure they have plenty of toys.
Is Spix’s Macaw touching the red line of extinction?
Yes, unfortunately Spix’s Macaw is considered as the most extinct macaw. According to the reports only 175-180 spix’s macaws are left in the world.
4. Ruby Macaw
The scarlet-green-winged macaw and the green-winged macaw were the ancestors of the ruby macaw, a kind of parrot. These beautiful birds seem different from Green-Winged Macaws but are similar, and they have more orange and yellow feathers on their backs and wings. These avian hybrids are the first of their kind, hybrids of two-parent species that coexist freely in the wild and are produced in captivity. Without a doubt, Ruby Macaws are the most beautiful Macaw species and outstanding individuals.
Can I feed meat to my macaw?
Although they should be provided in moderation, captive macaws will consume eggs, fish, and even chicken. Condensed bird cakes are prepared cakes composed of fruits, nuts, and seeds that the macaws can pick apart.
5. Green-winged macaws
The “gentle giant” or green-winged macaw is an extraordinarily receptive and affectionate bird. It has a facial mask of pale skin, brilliant red plumage, and wings that are green in hue but get bluer towards the edge. The green-winged bird has a calm, laid-back temperament. Although this macaw species is less skilled at copying other species, it is chattier than others. Anticipate avoiding leaving them alone for long time. Since they are easy to train and require a lot of social interaction.
A green-winged macaw is extremely sensitive as a juvenile, but this stage passes quickly with effort and tolerance. Because of size, these parrots need more space, so keeping them in a tiny cage is not ideal. Introduce this bird to a range of individuals one at a time to help it become more sociable and accepting of practically everyone. It will make a wonderful family pet with this method, even in households with small children, as long as they are not too young.
6. Harlequin Macaw
The Harlequin Macaw, a giant breed, can make loud sounds and is considered one of the louder parrots. It has a friendly and kind demeanor. Because of their closeness and ability to thrive in groups, this type of macaw would do best in a family or couple. Additionally, this bird has outstanding speaking ability and is clever. The green-wing and blue-and-gold macaws are used as parents to breed the Harlequin macaw in captivity. As a result, the Harlequin Macaw has eye-catching shades of green and blue with gold on its feathers and tail underside.
The Harlequin must feed his diet with premium seeds and a new supply of fruits and vegetables, just like any other macaw. Additionally, a large bird needs many toys to keep it occupied. To thrive as happy pets, they also require a lot of cerebral stimulation and human engagement.
How fast can Harlequin fly?
Harlequin is a quick flyer that flies at the speed of 35 miles per hour.
7. Shamrock Macaw
The first generation of hybrids is the shamrock macaw, a mix of military and scarlet macaws. Although some shamrocks inherit a kind disposition from their parents, the primary reason for their breeding is their vibrant colors. Regarding their elegant looks, they resemble their father more than their mother. Include brown rice, fresh fruits and vegetables, millet seeds, fresh veggies, and other wholesome foods in your pet’s diet to ensure enough protein. Never feed it avocado, chocolate, or any undercooked or raw meat or poultry. They reach heights of 70–90 cm. In captivity, they have a maximum lifetime of 50 years and require a lot of care as they develop.
Can shamrock macaws communicate?
Most macaw parrots do imitate human speech. It is known that some macaw parrots, such as the blue-and-gold macaw, are better at picking up new words than others. However, all macaws will desire to vocalize, either by speaking or by copying whistles and other household noises. To get your pet macaw talking, try these easy training techniques.
8. Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous macaw, a giant, blue, and grey South American parrot that belongs to the vast family of Neotropical parrots known as macaws, is a critically endangered species. This macaw, which is thought to be extinct, is related to the hyacinth macaw and Lear’s macaw. In the past, members of this group were commonly mistaken for one another. While people with a rudimentary understanding of the species can quickly identify live birds, working with ill specimens or only their skins made identification much more difficult.
9. Camelot Macaw
A cross between the Scarlet and Golden-blue macaws results in Camelot macaw. Because they are hybrids, these birds lack a scientific name. Camelot macaws have striking colors and are attractive. Development of this macaw was in captivity, which shows that it does not exist in the wild. The first-generation macaw’s color mutation gave rise to them, which is a recent development. The macaw is a very clever and social bird. To expand their vocabulary, they enjoy picking up new words and sounds. The Camelot macaw is easier to find than other macaw color variations. Their lifespan is around 50 years, and they can quickly grow to 2.5 to 3.5. Its second name is rainbow macaw.
Conclusion
Due to their looks, macaws are praised as superb parrots. They may live up to 80 years, a very long lifespan. There are 17 varieties of macaw, some of which live in captivity outside their natural environment for commerce. There is a significant threat to the red- and blue-fronted macaws. Before taking a macaw home, if you’re interested in doing so, you should educate yourself as much as you can on the macaw pet species. Different macaw species live in pairs or small flocks in the wild. Therefore a pet owners must invest time in helping their community in captivity.
