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Large Macaw Parrots
Bird Information and Pictures of Birds

Scarlet MacawPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Cheryl Galloway

     The magnificent large macaws are impressive birds, once you've seen one of these incredible beauties you'll never forget it!

     The large macaws are some of the most striking members of the parrot family (psittacidae). Macaw parrots have long tails, slim bodies and broad heads. Most people can instantly recognize the large macaws, especially the Blue and Gold Macaw and the Scarlet Macaw, because of their imposing size and vivid coloration.

   The elegant large macaws are very social, intelligent, and full of charisma. Macaws in the wild are seen with a mate, but more often are seen as pairs within small flocks. They eat together, roost together, and when relaxing they spend their time preening their mates as well as other members of the flock.

     Today there are eleven living species of large macaw. Large macaws have been kept as pet birds for a very long time. The Green-winged Macaw is suggested to have been a pet since the 17th century. In the early 1900's, several macaw species became widely available. During this early time, macaws were primarily obtained and kept singly as pets. There were some recorded breeding's, but because most were kept alone and because it was difficult to determine their sex, there was not a lot of breeding going on.

     Early and ongoing collection, as well as deforestation of natural habitats has critically reduced many wild bird populations. Macaws are no exception. All macaw species are now listed as endangered birds and some are severely threatened with extinction.

Learn all about Macaws and Macaw Bird Care in the Macaw Care Guide

Large Macaw Parrots: Click on the small images below
for more information about each one.

Large Macaws
Blue and Gold Macaw	Blue-throated Macaw
Ara ararauna	Ara glaucogularis
Buffon's Macaw	Green-winged Macaw
Ara ambigua	Ara chloroptera
Hyacinth Macaw	Military Macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus	Ara militaris
Red-fronted Macaw	Scarlet Macaw
Ara rubrogenys	Ara macao

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Facts About Macaws:

• Types of Macaws:
     Today there are many macaw breeders producing all types of macaws; large macaws, mini macaws, and even hybrid macaws. Aviculturists dedicated to breeding macaw parrots provide a number of baby macaws that are readily available as pet birds
  
  
• How Long Do Macaws Live?
       It is often mistakenly thought that macaws will live 75 years or more, and though a rare bird may live this long, this is basically inaccurate. Their actual life span is between 35 - 55 years. Cockatoos, not macaws, are actually the longest living parrots, with one species recorded at 125 years. Macaws are simply not as long lived as the cockatoos. A 40 year old macaw will start showing the signs of aging and a 50 year old macaw is a very old bird.
  
  
• Bird Care for Macaws:
      Getting a pet macaw is a big lifestyle commitment and shouldn't be taken lightly. When considering the question 'how long do macaws live?', you will quickly realize they can match our own life span. A large macaw can be a lifelong companion. The length of their lives, along with their necessary bird care, means keeping a pet macaw requires a large investment of time, money, and space.

Pet Macaws:
     Choosing a pet bird - When you become 'owned' by a large macaw you have an affectionate, playful companion. Yet large macaws are some of the most demanding birds to be kept as pets. A pet macaw needs a large amount of space and quality bird care to keep them happy and healthy.

Learn all about Macaws and Macaw Bird Care in the Macaw Care Guide

     Large macaws love attention, physical interaction, enjoy being petted, and are avid chewers. They also enjoy clowning around and will attempt to mimic your moves and sounds. This lends itself well to teaching these intelligent birds tricks as well as a few words. All macaws can be loud however, and sometimes they can be cranky.

     Bird traits, characteristics of birds, and bird behavior vary somewhat for the different types of macaws. Each large macaw species has special traits, so before committing to any particular one learn about each of the large macaws. This will help in finding the right macaw for you when you're choosing a pet bird.

Macaw Breeders:
     Macaw Species - Large macaws are a very popular pet bird and will likely continue to be. Fortunately there are many devoted breeders of the large macaw species. With the increasing pressure on their native habitats, all macaws are endangered birds.

     Endangered Birds - Captive breeding and good management of all captive birds has become vastly important. It is only because of dedicated aviculturists that a strong, self-sustaining population of these birds is available in captivity. It is also through the efforts of these people that some of macaws will survive extinction, and/or be available for re-introduction into their natural habitats. Though still quite experimental, some macaw species have already been re-introduced to their native homes.

Macaws for Sale:
     Finding Birds for Sale - Finding large macaws for sale is not difficult, but not all are available, and others have limited availability.

• Readily Available:
  The Blue and Gold Macaw and the Scarlet Macaw, along with the Green-winged Macaw, have long been the most popular large macaws and are the most readily available birds for sale.
• Generally Available:
  A couple of the large macaws are a bit more rare in the pet trade. There are several reasons for this. The Buffon's Macaw and the Military Macaw, make great pets but simply aren't as flashy as other large macaws, so they haven't been as popular. Macaw breeders will sometimes just keep these birds as breeders, making only a small number available as pets. Consequently these two are generally available, but it may take a bit more searching.
• Occasionally Available:
  A few large macaws have primarily being reserved for breeding stock to preserve the species. This is because these macaws in the wild are highly endangered birds, or because they take an increased amount of care compared to the other popular macaws. These include the Red-fronted Macaw, Blue-throated Macaw, and the Hyacinth Macaw. Today all three of these are becoming increasingly more available.
• Not Available:
  Large macaws that are critically endangered birds, or possibly extinct in nature, are simply not available as pets. These include the Glaucous Macaw, Lear's Macaw, and the Spix's Macaw.

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