This is “Lassiah”, a 3 year old male “Bluffons” macaw. Lassiahs mother is a Buffon’s Macaw and his father is a Blue & Gold Macaw!

   The Bluffon’s Macaw is a hybrid cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw and a Buffon’s Macaw. It is a first generation macaw, meaning its parents are two species of naturally occurring macaws.The Blue and Gold Macaw has been has been one of the most popular pet birds in the trade. The Buffon’s Macaw, highly endangered in its native habitat, has been quite scarce. But it has done very well in captivity. It is a ready breeder and is becoming more firmly established today. Some Buffon’s Macaws have even been re-introduced into their native habitat.

   Hybrid macaws are bred for color. Because they are a mixture of more than one type of macaw, the offspring are influenced by the traits and characteristics of both of its parents. Father’s have the dominant gene, so this will generally influence the offspring’s coloration and overall appearance.

   The temperament and behavior of hybrids are areas of uncertainty and are unpredictable. But having parents are that are both quite docile and affectionate macaws, the Bluffon’s Macaw will be a real beauty and should be a good natured pet bird. All macaws require good socialization and consistent training to make good pets. The Bluffon’s have the gentle nature and the speaking ability of their parentage and they can be a very affectionate, inquisitive, and fun pets.

   See hybrid information, breeding combinations, and photos of hybrid macaws on the Hybrid Macaws page.

For information about the care of Macaws see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Macaw

Scientific Name:

   The Bluffon’s Macaw is a first generation hybrid, a cross between: Blue and Gold MacawAra ararauna and Buffon’s MacawAra ambigua. This macaw is also known as the Buffgold Macaw in some countries.

Distribution:

   ThIs is a captive bred hybrid macaw. Hybrid macaws are rarely found in the wild.

Description:

   Bluffon’s Macaws are a pretty pastel hybrid. Both parents of the Bluffon’s Macaw contribute to the delicately blended colors of their offspring, though the father’s have the dominant gene and this will influence their final appearance.
   With its one parent being a Buffon’s Macaw, that gives it a lot of gorgeous green. And when the blues and golds of the other are mixed in, pastel shades of blue-greens underscored with yellow golds are possible.
   Bluffon’s are a full size Macaw and can learn to talk with a general vocabulary of about 15 or more words and expressions.

Size – Weight:

   A full sized macaw, they can get over 2 lbs. Lengths up to 86 cm (34 inches).

Care and feeding:

   A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat. See About Macaws: Housing and About Macaws: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:

   It is generally believed that hybrid macaws get the best attributes of the parents. In this case, the Blue & Gold Macaw makes a good family type bird, while the Buffon’s Macaw is extremely good natured and gentle.
   They are a very gentle bird that will get along with more than one person. But they are a typical macaw and can be cranky at times. To have a well rounded bird that enjoys more than one person, make sure it is well socialized with lots of folks. See About Macaws: Social Behaviors for information on developing a well rounded friendly macaw. (Also information on handling and activities)

Breeding/Reproduction:

   This is a hybrid and it use to be that they were generally not bred, however the breeding of hybrids is becoming more common. See About Macaws: Macaw Breeding, Bird Reproduction – Baby Macaws for information on breeding macaws.

Sexual differences:

   No visible differences.

Potential Problems:


   Can be noisy (as can all macaws).  See About Macaws: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:


   Finding these macaws for sale is generally hard as they are rare, and they are expensive. There are more and more macaw breeders however, so finding these macaws for sale becomes easier as they become more common.