How to Tame a Blue Macaw and Red Macaw
Macaws usually choose a life partner and spend many hours together, sharing food, grooming each other and taking care of their young. Unfortunately, these magnificent birds are teetering towards extinction in their natural habitat.
Lolita blue & gold macaw poaching of this beautiful bird species and habitat destruction caused by humans and the trade in cage birds are all dangers.
Great Green Macaw
The magnificent green Macaw (Ara-ambiguus) is among the largest parrots of Central America. It is also one of the most striking and vibrant birds found in the canopy of the rainforest. The green color of its plumage is accentuated by the red on its forehead, blue on its lower back, and tail feathers. The long pointed wings and tail allow it to easily move through the forests. The beak is huge and strong, adapted for breaking open seeds and nuts. The great green Macaw is a frugivore and, therefore plays a significant role in sustaining healthy ecosystems of the rainforest. Seed dispersal is a key factor in helping tree species like the maiz-based biological Tree Dipteryxoleifera grow and provide food to other animal species.
These magnificent birds live in pairs or small groups, and spend most of their time flying high up in the forest canopy, searching for fruits, nuts, and seeds. Nests are often located in hollow tree cavities which are lined with grass or branches. Females will lay between two and three eggs which will incubate over 26-28 days. The male assists with feeding the chicks once they hatch.
Great green macaws that are captive are highly intelligent and playful birds that make excellent companion animals. However, it is crucial to remember that these birds require plenty of space, attention, and patience to flourish. They are known to bite and be destructive when bored. They may also be susceptible to certain health issues, like proventricular dilatation and macaw wasting disease.
Like many other species of tropical, great green macaws are declining. Their habitat is destroyed by mining and logging, agriculture and cattle ranching. The illegal trade in wildlife and hunting for food is also affecting their numbers.
The only way to ensure their survival is to protect their habitat. The creation of corridors between protected areas will allow them to move freely and access diverse food sources. The ultimate goal is to preserve the natural habitat of these beautiful birds will help safeguard other species in danger that live in their habitats including the Scarlet Macaw and Yellow-naped Amazon.
Blue and Gold Macaw
This beautiful bird is one of most popular parrots in captivity all over the world. It is intelligent, affectionate, and very active. It requires lots of interaction and training, but can be a wonderful companion if properly trained. Macaws can be aggressive if not properly trained or provided with clearly defined boundaries. This is why it is important to work with a professional trainer who is aware of how to handle large birds and can teach them tricks. Dave and Jamieleigh from BirdTricks have put together a wonderful video on how to manage an Blue and Gold Macaw. They offer some tips, tricks and methods to assist anyone who wants to train a macaw so that it is fun and friendly to interact with. Click HERE to view their video.
A parrot in the family, the blue and gold macaws are neotropical birds that are native to forests (especially in varzea areas) and woodland and savannah habitats of tropical Central America and South America as well as Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. Macaws have a predominantly blue dorsum and tail feathers, as well as the gradient of green on their head. They also have accents of yellow or gold. Their wing covers and wings are blue with green highlights. Their feet are zygodactyl with two toes facing in the direction of forward and backwards, a design that allows them to grasp branches effortlessly.
These birds are monogamous and pair for life, and stay together during the breeding season. They dig up tree cavities with their powerful beaks to build nests. They usually lay two to three eggs and incubate them for 25 days. Once they hatch, both parents feed the chicks by regurgitation until they can manage themselves.
They are intelligent birds who communicate a wide range emotions through a variety of vocalizations. They also exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, like cocking their heads, flirting by raising the wings and blushing. They can also express their emotions by shaking their tail feathers as well as bowing, prancing and bouncing.
They are playful and love to chew on toys. Therefore, it is recommended that owners provide plenty of bird-safe, sturdy toys that be able to withstand the force of their jaw muscles. This will help keep your teeth healthy and prevent them from developing excessive plaque and tartar.
Red-shouldered Macaw
Sometimes referred to as the Hahn's Macaw, this small bird is one of the most intelligent macaw species. It is a good friend to its human companions and is a strong speaker that can master many tricks. It's also more peaceful than other macaws. This makes it a good option for those who might be worried about a loud parrot. It may be little nippy in the beginning, but usually grows out of it and can be very playful as an older parrot.
The bird is native to swamplands and savannahs as in tropical lowland habitats all over Brazil, Venezuela Guyana and South-Eastern Peru. Its bright green color is perfect for camouflaging in the vegetation. It lays two to five eggs and then incubates them for 24 days. After about two months, the chicks are ready to fledge. This species is usually married for life and is often in pairs.
In its natural habitat, it mostly forages for berries and flowers and nuts, fruits, seeds and leaves. The birds are known to eat insects, too. They are also known to congregate on cliffs of clay that are believed to help eliminate any toxins they may have picked up from their food sources.
Hahn's Macaws are susceptible to self-mutilation, feather plucking, and nutritional disorders. They are also prone to proventricular dilatation as well as overgrown beaks. However, a balanced diet, regular veterinary checkups and proper cage maintenance can stop these issues from forming.
In the wild, this bird is very social and can live up to 40 to 50 years. It is not usually sold in large pet stores however, it is available in avian-specialty stores as well as from bird breeders. It is intelligent to a high level, however it can be difficult for a beginner to train. It is a good talker and can be taught to whistle and clap as well as dance.
Hahn's Macaws can be very loud and are not recommended for apartment living. These birds need a spacious cage with a variety of steady perches, several large food bowls and plenty of opportunities for daily exercise outside their cage. They are also robust chewers and require a sturdy cage that is secure.
Blue-and-yellow Macaw
The Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) is a beautiful, large, tropical parrot. Like other members of the Macaw family, this bird is monogamous, and couples for life. It is also prone to mimicry, which makes it a good companion bird.
The species is native to South America and can be found in a variety of habitats. This includes cloud forests, savannas and rainforests. The Blue-and-yellow Macaw is deemed to be endangered by the IUCN Conservation efforts are underway to protect this beautiful animal.
The birds reach the age of breeding when they are between 3 and 4 years old. They are known to pair for life, and will remain bonded until one of the partners dies. The Blue-and-Yellow macaw lays between two and three eggs in each nest. The eggs are incubated by the female and males will defend the nest. When the chicks are born, they become altricial and they have to rely on their parents for food until they are able to feather themselves and begin feeding themselves.
In the wild, Macaws are social birds and are often seen in groups of other parrots and Macaws. They are highly intelligent and can master a vast variety of sounds. The Blue-and-Yellow is a proficient flyer and can be seen flying through the forest canopy and performing other amazing aerial maneuvers.
The Blue-and-Yellow macaw is a beautiful and charismatic creature. It is a wonderful option for those looking for a pet who can provide entertainment and companionship.
This gorgeous, large tropical parrot is native to South America. It is monogamous, and is a lifelong mate and has a strong tendency towards mimicry. It also has an tendency to form bonds with humans, and can learn a wide range of words and phrases.
When the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is between 3 and 4 years old, it reaches breeding age. The Blue-and Yellow will pair for the rest of their lives, and is known to be a part of small groups of family members. The Blue-and Yellow can be found in diverse habitats that include cloud forests, savannas jungles, and rainforests. The Blue-and Yellow prefers to nest inside tree cavities that they construct by using their powerful beaks. The female will lay between 2 and 3 eggs. They will then incubate them for an entire week.