Calico Macaw

Scientific name: hybrid, (Cross between Ara chloroptera and Ara militaris).

Description:
   Calico Macaws are a very colorful hybrid. A Calico macaw is a cross between a Military macaw and a Green-winged macaw.
   Both parents of the Calico Macaw contribute to the striking colors of their offspring, though the father's have the dominant gene and this will influence their final appearance. Most often the father is a Green-winged (male Green-winged macaws are more common than females). Some of the characteristics when sired by a Green-winged macaw will be a large bird, with the head and beak shape more typical of the Green-winged. These macaws have a green back with a bronze cast similar to the Military Macaw, but will have a deep red chest and belly.

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.

Distribution: These birds are not found in the wild.

Size - Weight:
   A full sized macaw similar to the Green-Winged macaw, they can get over 2 lbs. Lengths up to 90 cm (35.5 inches)

Social Behaviors:
   They don't exist in the wild. In captivity they socialize and bond closely with one person but do well in a family situation also.

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.

Availability:
   This bird is only occasionally available. There are more and more breeders however and they are becoming more common.