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Macaw Care Guide
About Macaw Parrots

Family: Psittacidae Military MacawAra militarisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     Very curious and spirited, Macaws have the greatest and most unique personalities of all birds!

     Not only are macaws very smart and inquisitive, they are also very playful and lively. Quite distinguished looking, they are easy to spot with their large heads sporting a strong curved beak and an elegant long tail. Many types of macaws are large birds though a few species, the mini macaws, are medium sized.

   The feather coloring of the macaws is vibrant and beautiful. No matter what their size, they are all captivating birds. The large macaws tend to have the most exotic feather coloring. Mini macaws are primarily a bright green with a few color accents on their shoulders or tails. A number of macaws have been cross bred, producing quite a variety of hybrid macaws. The hybrid macaws have brilliant variations on the normal coloration of their parentage.

     Macaws need a lot of attention and toys to keep them busy. They adapt well to captivity, adjusting easily to their cage or aviary. A young macaw will tame quickly and bond to its keepers.

     Macaws make excellent pets but are very loud. They are not the greatest talkers, but they love socialization. Social interaction is the key, a pet macaw may soon begin to mimic the sounds of their keeper's voice as well as many other sounds in its environment. They are very outgoing, highly intelligent, and quick to pick up on tricks.

See different types of Hybrid Macaws in Hybrid Macaw Parrots

Distribution:      Macaws come from South and Central America and have been widely kept as pets since the beginning of the 20th century. In the United States they have been kept by the Pueblo Indians since 1100 A.D. The Pueblos especially prized the Scarlet Macaw. They are primarily tree top dwellers, living in the canopies of tropical forests.

Description:      The Macaw family consists of four genera containing 17 living species along with quite a few hybrids. All macaws have the same physical characteristics. They have a slender body, long wings, and a long tapered tail. All types of macaws have an oversized head and beak. The beak is adapted to eating large nuts in the wild, such as the various palm nuts.

     The largest of all parrots is the impressive Hyacinth Macaw at 36" in length and weighing up to 1550 grams. The smallest of the macaws is the Noble Macaw.

     Large macaws are brilliantly colored while the smaller macaws tend to be predominantly green. Brilliant variations of the normal colors is achieved through hybridization or cross-breeding rather than the mutation of a species.

How long do macaws live?

   This is an important question that macaw enthusiasts ask. Macaws are often mistakenly thought to live up to 75 years or more, but this is incorrect. Their actual life span is between 35 - 55 years. They are 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!

See all types of Macaws in the Macaw Family

     Hybrid macaws have also been produced In captivity. This was often the result of accident where two species of macaw were kept in the same environment. They would become close companions, bond and then produced offspring. Due to the current interest and popularity of these birds, hybridization for the pet trade has resulted.

    Hybrid macaws are often very beautiful birds with distinct coloration. Some varieties of hybrid macaw are now second or third generation birds, or even more. However, hybrid macaws are still macaws. They will require the same level of care and dedication from their keepers as the pure macaw species. The coloration of these birds can often be attributed to one parent or the other, but their temperament and behavior are uncertain. For this reason, you will want to learn all you can about each of the parent's characteristic. Make sure you are comfortable with keeping and handling all of the parent types before obtaining a baby.

Care and feeding:     Macaws are a very high energy bird and for good health they will need plenty of good foods rich in oils and calories. In the wild the larger Macaws eat a variety of palm nuts while the smaller Macaws eat seeds, nuts and fruit.

• Bird Food:
       Foods available for Macaws include formulated diets, either pelleted or extruded, seed only diets, and parrot mixes which offer a mixture of both. There are pros and cons to feeding only a formulated diet as well as feeding only a seed diet.
  • Formulated Diet:
      A formulated diet provides a good nutritional base so does not require the addition of vitamins, however it does not contain the phytonutrients (antioxidant pigments) that are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds. Phytonutrients are believed to boost the immune system, help a body to heal itself, and to prevent some diseases.
      Also, parrots can become bored with it due to the lack of variety.
    
  • Seed Diet:
    A seed only diet offers much more variety but requires additional vitamin and calcium supplements. Macaws need not only nutritional requirements met but also variety for psychological enrichment.
          A Macaw diet consisting of a good parrot mix which includes formulated foods, a variety of seeds, dried fruits, and nuts is generally regarded as a suitable base to provide nutrition and variety. Along with this, provide a daily supplement of fresh fruits and vegetable.
  Each macaw, depending on its size, will eat about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of parrot mix and about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of fruit and vegetables.
• Supplements:
       Supplemental foods include all types of fruits such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, mangos, papayas, and even berries such as strawberries and blueberries are enjoyed. Many vegetables including carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, dark green leafy veggies, many garden vegetables, and even dandelions and chickweed are good. Do not feed avocado as it may be toxic to birds!
       Treats: Offer nuts for treats, such as macadamias, walnuts, pecans, almonds, and filberts.
       Proteins: Additional proteins can be offered such as sprouted legumes and cooked chicken or meat.
       Grit: Grit is not considered essential as macaws will shell their seed before eating it.
  
• Water:
      Give your macaw fresh drinking water every day.
• Bird Baths:
      The personal hygiene of your Macaw includes a regular bath or shower for good plumage and skin condition. One way to accomplish this is with either a hand held shower sprayer or a hose with a fine spray head and lukewarm water.
• Bird Grooming:
       Wings: The wings should be kept trim if you want to discourage flight and to prevent the loss of your pet through an open window or door. Clip most of the primaries (10 feathers closest to the wing tip) and only enough so the bird can glide to the floor.
       Beak: The beak needs to be trimmed if it becomes overgrown or deformed. There are many mineral blocks, lava blocks, and other beak grooming items available at your pet store to help your bird keep its beak in shape.
       Nails: A variety of concrete type perches are also available to help the keep nails trim, but they should be trimmed if they become overgrown.

Housing:

• Bird Cages:
       Macaw cages must accommodate a very large bird. Provide the largest bird cage possible. A macaw must be able to fully extend its wings without touching the sides of the cage. The largest macaw, the Hyacinth Macaw, has a wing span of 3 - 3 1/2 feet. Macaws must also be able to move freely between two perches or muscular dystrophy can occur which will render it unable to fly.
       Another very important consideration is that macaw cages be very durable. These birds are very strong chewers. Macaws are also very good at opening cage doors, so be sure the cage has locks or escape-proof latches.
• Bird Perch:
       Provide perches that are fresh fruit tree branches, they are great as your bird will love to chew on them, of course they will have to be replaced regularly. The branches need to have some areas that are about 3/4" in diameter, and even bigger diameter areas for larger macaws.
• Bird Food Dishes:
       It works best to have the dishes hanging from the side for feed and water. Try to place the perches away from dishes so the food and water dish do not become soiled with bird droppings. Do not use plastic because your bird will chew and break the plastic and it can become hazardous.
• Playpen - Bird Toys:
       A playpen is ideal for playtime outside of the cage. Playthings can be such things as climbing ropes, chains, bells, parrot swings and wooden or other bird toys.
• Where to Place Bird Cages:
       Because macaws are very loud, the amount of noise and the closeness of neighbors should be considered when determining where to keep you bird. Macaws are very social and inquisitive, so the room you house your pet in can be a room that gets visited frequently by the family. Place the cage at eye level in a quiet sunny area away from drafts.
• Aviary:
  Outdoor Aviaries: An outdoor or breeding aviary needs to have a protected shelter that can be heated and cooled where necessary, be well lit and ventilated, and have an attached flight cage. The flight should be long with a hardwood perch at each end. A climbing branch and a bird bath are nice additions too. Macaws are quite strong chewers, so the aviary needs to be of sturdy construction. Framework is generally constructed of brick or metal.

Maintenance:      The basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Weekly you should wash all the perches and dirty toys, and the floor should be washed about every other week. A total hosing down and disinfecting of an aviary should be done yearly, replacing anything that needs to be freshened, such as old dishes, toys and perches.

Social Behaviors:      In the wild macaws form a strong bond with another bird and the pair will join small flocks. They also tend to only vocalize within flock situations. In captivity most pet macaws are more likely to interact with their owners through physical contact, and often use vocal mimicry for attention.
     Macaws make excellent pets. They have very nice temperaments and are very playful. A hand reared macaw is usually gentle and easily handled.

   There are a few things to be aware of (and to do) in order to have a wonderful and affectionate pet macaw:

• Socializing A Macaw:
       A well socialized macaw is a pet that will be enjoyed in lots of situations and by many people for years. A young macaw should be socialized with as many people as possible. They also should be exposed to lots of situations such as new cages, visits to a veterinarian, handling by friends, and having their wings and nails clipped.
       Socializing a macaw and providing it lots of experiences are the keys to a great pet. Doing these things will develop a well rounded bird that doesn't become frightened of new things. It will also prevent too strong a bond with only one person developing.
• Macaws and Children:
       Macaws and children can mix very successfully if the child learns how to interact with the parrot. Children and macaws should be supervised.
• Macaws and Pets:
     Macaws and other pets can also get used to each other and learn to accept each other. Again, however, be very careful to monitor all groupings of animals. A macaw can be very dangerous to small pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, and even small birds.
     Close friendships are just as possible as deadly enemy behaviors. You won't know until the relationship unfolds over time

Handling/Training:      Macaws are excellent for taming, and relatively easy to train. They are very intelligent, and though fair to poor talkers, they can be taught many tricks. This ability to learn and perform tricks makes them a favorite bird for use in shows all over the world.

     Taming and training your parrot depends first on trust, so go slowly and be consistent.

• Taming Basics:
       Generally, as with any parrot, you should give a new arrival a few days to get used to you, your voice and it's cage before trying to handle it. A handfed baby will not need much taming and can often be handled right away, as it is use to human attention.
     Caution:   A word of caution in handling these birds, a handfed macaw and even captive raised macaws have no natural fear of humans. A bite from a macaw can be extremely painful and the large birds can easily remove a finger or two.
       Restraining a macaw: Restraining a macaw should only be done when it is necessary for treatment or to clip wings and feathers. If the bird is not tame and you need to handle it, it is best to initially use gloves.
       It is easiest to restrain a macaw by covering it with a towel or net. Place a hand around the back of the head with the thumb and forefinger on each side of the lower beak. Use the other hand to support the lower body by holding the legs and wings together.
•   Initial Training:  
       Taming proceeds in steps. Your first goal is to get the parrot to accept a treat from you. This will lead to it allowing you to gently scratching its chest.
       Next is hand taming, where your macaw will climb on your hand and allow you to carry it around. You can accomplish this by offering it treats from outside the cage until it is comfortable with your hand. As your macaw becomes comfortable with taking treats from your hand, you then open the cage door and repeat the same process but now you are reaching into it's cage with the treat. Once you've earned it's trust, your macaw will begin climbing on your hand and allowing you to pet him.
       Depending on the tameness of the bird, these two steps can be instantaneous as in a handfed baby or take several weeks or longer for an untamed bird.
  
• Advanced Training:
      Once your Macaw has gotten over its shyness, then you can work on speech and trick training. Although a macaw is not as good a talker as the African Grey or even the Amazon Parrots, they often will respond because of their desire for attention and affection. Repetition and frequency are the keys here. They can be trained to do tricks from riding bikes to doing balancing acts.
• Macaws and Adolescence:
     As macaws grow into and through adolescence they become more boisterous, mischievous, and difficult to handle. They must be handled with confidence during this time to keep their respect. Never allow bad behavior to develop. Otherwise they can become untrustworthy as a pet. This is often non-reversible and they will then need to be reserved for breeding rather than as a pet.

     Remember that taming and training a bird takes patience, never 'punish' your parrot! This only serves to destroy the trust you've spent so much time building.

     For an extensive parrot training system that potentially turns your bird into a fun, loving companion as well as learning lots of cool trickls, try Chet Womach's Parrot Training Course.

Activities:      Exercise and play are important activities for the physical well being and psychological health of your parrot. These activities help deter distress and prevent the problems of screeching and feather picking.
     Though they are quite affectionate and cuddly, macaws are also very boisterous and need a large area to exercise. Outdoors is ideal as most indoor spaces are too small. Great climbers, they will explore all over their enclosure, sometimes hanging by their toes from the top.
     They are vigorous chewers and will chew on anything within reach. They can be quite destructive to household items and woodwork, so if you keep them on a playpen make sure nothing valuable is within reach. Provide lots of fresh non-toxic tree branches for them to chew up. Also make sure to give your macaw lots of toys and activities in the form of large link chains, bird ladders, parrot swings, ropes, wood toys for gnawing and chewing, and rotate new bird toys on a regular basis.

Breeding/Reproduction:      It was not until the early 20th century that reports of macaws breeding in captivity were released. Even still, very few birds were successfully bred at that time. This is probably because they are hard to sex and because most imported birds were kept individually as pets.
   Today the number of macaws being bred in captivity is radically changing. This is due to a decrease in imports and because of the increase in demand for these wonderful birds. Today most of the birds sold as pets are captive bred.

• Sexing Macaws:
      All macaws are sexually monomorphic. This means the sex of macaws cannot be reliably determined by physical characteristics, though the males are usually larger with larger heads.
      Their sex must be determined by either a surgical probe called endoscopy, which can be done by many veterinarians; by DNA testing, usually a blood sample or a few plucked feathers sent to be diagnosed in a lab; or a chromosonal analysis.
• Pairing Macaws:
       Macaws breed readily but the sexes must be confirmed and the pair must be harmonious, bonded with each other.
     It is best to let them macaws select their own mates. This is best done done in the winter a couple of months before breeding season.
     The ideal breeding ages are 4 - 8 years, with a maximum breeding age of 30 - 35 years for the largest macaws.
• Breeding Environment:
     Macaw breeders will need a nest box. The macaws nestbox needs to be about three times the macaws body length in height and one body length in width and depth. The hole needs to be just large enough for an adult to enter.
     There needs to be some blocks secured inside the box for the birds to climb out and also several blocks of wood on the inside walls for chewing. Provide 4" - 8" of wood shavings in the bottom of the nest box. Mount the next box high up in a corner facing outwards, a place that provides seclusion and safety.
• Egg Laying and Hatchlings:
     Most macaw species lay clutches of 2 - 3 eggs. The larger macaws will lay an egg every other day and the smaller macaws will lay every third day. The incubation period is 26-28 days. Once the hatchlings are born the parents will need a ready supply of food and especially like corn on the cob, fresh fruits, milk soaked bread and cuttlebones. The weaning ranges from 10 weeks to 8 months, depending on the species. It takes 16 or more weeks for the young to fledge.

     Macaws are not recommended as a bird for a novice to hand feed. They are difficult, and a more problematic bird to hand-feed from an early age. They are also somewhat more difficult to wean.

Potential Problems:      A macaw that is well cared for will seldom become ill. Though it is often difficult to determine illness, some visible signs of illness to be aware of are ruffled plumage, listlessness, drooping wings, sagging body, extreme mood changes, having no appetite, bulges in feathering, partially closed or watery eyes, swelling of the eyelids, rasping, difficulty breathing, excessive saliva, dirty vent, and any change in the feces not apparently diet related.
     Some of the more common illnesses seen in Macaws are Proventricular Dilation disease (Macaw wasting disease); Psittacosis (chlamydiosis or parrot fever); bacterial, viral, or fungal infections; feather picking (results of boredom, poor diet, sexual frustration, lack of bathing); allergies; chewing flight and tail feathers by juveniles, beak malformations in chicks; Papillomas; kidney disease (gout); toxicity, heavy metal poisoning; lipomas in older birds.
     Immediately provide a warm, draft free, secure environment kept at about 86 °F (30 °C). Place food and water close to the perch where it is easily accessible. An ailing parrot should be taken to a avian veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

     Behavour problems usually stem from something missing in the bird's environment. Boredom, lack of trust, lack of interaction with other birds or people can lead to problems like biting, feather plucking, and screaming. Try to develop a bond of trust and spend time with your bird to help avoid these problems. We have also had good success with Chet Womach's Parrot Training Course. He offers free 3-day introductory course so you can try it out before you buy anything.

Availability:      Several Macaw species are very available in the pet industry. There are many handfed babies becoming increasingly available.

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