The Miligold Macaw is a real beauty! ..and along with good looks, its parentage lends itself to giving this bird a gentle and affectionate personality!
“Thumper” is a Miligold Macaw with the parents being a Military Macaw and a Blue and Gold Macaw. Hybrid macaws will inherit the personalities of both the parents. In the case of a Miligold Macaw this can make for a sweet, fairly even-tempered bird that may even have some talking ability.
The Miligold Macaw is a cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw and a Military Macaw. It is a first-generation hybrid 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 Military Macaw is a favorite pet macaw that also has a good temperament. It is very trainable and highly intelligent.
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 their 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 Miligold 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 Miligold’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 Miligold Macaw is a first-generation hybrid macaw. It is a cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw Anodorhynchus ararauna and a Military Macaw Ara militaris.
Distribution
ThIs is a captive-bred hybrid macaw. Hybrid macaws are rarely found in the wild.
Description
Miligold Macaws, being a cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw and a Military Macaw, can have a very pleasing coloration. Both parents of the Miligold Macaw contribute to the striking colors of their offspring, though the father’s have the dominant gene and this will influence their final appearance.
Some of the characteristics seen in this bird are the blues of the Blue and Gold being tempered on the Miligold to a more greener aquamarine, with the outer wings retaining blue flight feathers. The head can resemble the coloring of the blue and gold, though with more greens. It can also have the red lore of the Military Macaw.
The best way to be certain which bird is the father, however, is to ask at the time you obtain your bird.
Size – Weight
The Miligold Macaw is a full-sized macaw, however they will tend to be on the smaller side due to their Military Macaw parentage. Lengths can range from 27″ up to 34″ (70 – 86 cm).
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 playpen 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
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 that 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 in the sexes.
Potential Problems
Can be noisy (as can all macaws). See About Macaws: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.
Availability
This bird is only occasionally available. There are more and more macaw breeders, however, so finding these macaws for sale becomes easier as they become more common.
Featured Image Credit: samworthington, Pixabay