Animal-World > Pet Birds > Macaw Types > Blue-throated Macaw

Blue-throated Macaw

Caninde Macaw ~ Wagler's Macaw Family: Psittacidae

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Ara glaucogularis Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Cheryl Galloway

   The Blue-throated Macaw is a rare treat to behold, being one of the rarest birds in the world. It has become known in aviculture only since the late 1970's!

   As a pet the Blue-throated Macaw is very docile and affectionate, but also quite intelligent and inquisitive. Wild birds were found to be shy and reclusive but the hand-fed birds are very outgoing and talkative. Chewing and performing acrobatic antics are favorite activities as is exploring their surroundings with their tongue and beak. They are very elegant and inclined to be much more graceful in movement than other macaws.

   Though they don't care to be handled quite as much as their close relative the Blue and Gold Macaw, they are undemanding and friendly. They are not inclined to bite nor are they not excessively loud as many of the other macaws can be. They are quite content to entertain themselves especially if given plenty of chewing materials. These qualities make them a wonderful pet or aviary bird that can be kept even where there are neighbors close by.

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

Distribution:
   The Blue-Throated Macaws are found in a very small geographic region in central Bolivia and occasionally in Argentina. It is also thought that they once existed in Paraguay. There are very few in the wild and they are threatened with extinction due to the natives burning much of the rainforest and extensive trapping for the pet trade. They inhabit humid dense lowland forests and palm groves.
   There are very few Blue-throated Macaws in the wild, probably only a couple of hundred, and they are threatened with extinction. But today they are being successfully bred in captivity and are available as a pet, though they are still quite rare and expensive.

Description:
   The Blue-throated Macaw, also known as the Caninde Macaw or the Wagler's Macaw, use to be thought of as a subspecies or a juvenile of the Blue and Gold Macaw. They are similar in color to the Blue and Gold Macaw with upperparts that are all blue and underparts that are an orange-yellow. Their blue coloring is a bit more aqua toned having a greenish tinge, and they have a blue band across the throat, thus the name 'Blue-throated'. The bare facial patch is also a bit smaller and is lined with blue feathers rather than the black feathers on a Blue and Gold Macaw's facial patch. The tail is long and tapered and the legs are gray. The beak is a gray-black and the eye is yellow.
    A younger bird will be similar to the adults but have a shorter tail and dark brown eyes.

Size - Weight:
   The Blue-throated Macaw is a full sized macaw, though they are a bit smaller than Blue and Gold Macaw. These birds are about 33 inches (85 cm) in length.

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. The Blue-throated Macaw is an avid chewer and should be provided with plenty of natural branches and wooden toys.
   In the wild their food consists of fruits, nuts, and buds, especially palm nuts which they scrape out with a specially adapted beak. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, commercial pellets, insects and larvae.
   See About Macaws: Housing and About Macaws: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:
      In the wild the Blue-throated Macaws are very social birds, often seen in the company of Blue and Gold Macaws. In captivity, these birds are mellow, friendly, and inquisitive. They enjoy interaction with people as well as other birds. They rarely ever bite, though they do explore their surroundings with their tongue and beak. They are happy to entertain themselves as well; playing in their cage, talking to themselves, and chewing on toys.
   See About Macaws: Social Behaviors for information on developing a well rounded friendly macaw.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   In the wild the Blue-throated Macaw will build its nest in palm trees. They were first bred in captivity in 1984 and are found to be ready breeders, though the babies are a bit difficult to hand feed, especially when very young. The usual clutch consists of two to four eggs which incubate for about 26 days. The babies will fledge after about 3 months in the nest. Feed the parents additional high-fat seeds, like sunflower seed, during the breeding season. The young will also require a high-fat diet as well as additional protein.
   See About Macaws: Breeding/Reproduction for information on breeding.

Sexual differences: No visible differences.

Potential Problems:
   See About Macaws: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:
   Blue-throated macaws are not common in captivity. They are however being successfully bred and are available as a pet, though they are still quite rare and expensive. .

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Latest Comments
My BTM was hatched early June 2008 and I can't believe she is 11 months old. Tika is quite amazing. I cannot imagine my life without her. Her intelligence shouldn't surprise me by now, but every day she manages to come up with something new. Tika has not begun to talk yet, but when she is alone she makes lots of sounds as if she is carrying on a very animated conversation with herself. I suppose words will be next. Tika practices flying everyday. She is very accurate and quite a perfectionist. People who have been introduced to her are always amazed at how loving and acrobatic she is. She makes a great BTM ambassador of sorts. My next project is building an outdoor aviary for good weather play time. I'd love to read about others who have succeeded in this undertaking. Hugs and scrithces to all - Connie Vasquez Connie Vasquez 2009-04-07
I am the proud owner of a beautiful five-month-old BTM. She is amazing. So intelligent, mechanically inclinded (to say the least!), and absolutely loving. I researched, made purchases, and planned extensively for two years before acquiring her. She has a hugh cage, an upstairs and a downstairs hanging gym, tons of toys of all kinds, and she gets lots of love, time, and attention. I have only had her for three weeks, but I have already been able to take her out for long walks around the neighborhood (with a harness). She enjoys every new toy, food, and experience with zest. She passed the vet check with flying colors and appears very healthy and happy. We are lucky to have her in our lives. I was wondering though, how do I encourage more independent play while I am nearby? She wants to be right there with me when I am in the same room as her. I love spending interactive time with her, but I also realize it is healthy for her emotionally to be able to enjoy some independent play where we can just hang out in each other's company in the same toom together. Any suggestions? Thanks. Connie Vasquez 2008-10-28
Hi, I also have a Blue Thoated Macaw, and who ever said they are not loud is totally wrong, I have a 5 month old, that is adorable, we are currently teaching her to fly and she is a perfectionist at it. Since I was the one to hand feed her, she tends to fly to me, but my husband is currently feeding a Green Wing Macaw and whenever he his baby is getting fed, our BTM flies to him to be fed some baby food, which he still gives her as a treat. We named her Destiny, and she is the most affectionate macaw I have ever had. That is true about them. And about being intelligent, that is very true. At only 5 months and she has managed to separate the metal ring from where her food bowl goes in to, and manages to always popoput her bowl as to say "ok I'm done". Whoever has one of these macaws is a very special person. Enjoy them. Elsa Elsa Perez 2008-06-21
I have a pair of Blue-throated Macaws, I was outside one day and heard them, and then I saw them flying. I went into the house to get them fruit and they were very hungry. They both came to me and I fell in love with them from the start. So my husband and I made some phone calls to find out who owned them, we did find out who owned them and they were in a rescue. The person that was feeding them turned her back and out they went. Well, it took some time to get them but now they are living with us and our 4 Rat Terriers. I was told they tested for PDD. They are fine now but they will always half to be tested. I did adopt them both as I did not want them to be apart. They are 5 years and 6 years old. I was told they were both female, well one is a male, and if them do by chance breed we can not let the eggs hatch because of the PDD. This breaks my heart, but we not letting the eggs hatch if they have any at all. I Love them both. The Male is a lot nicer then the Female, I was told she has been through a lot. They have all the love and food and toys and I just keep working with them. I would not want to be without them. They were sent to us for a reason and I will not let them go without love. These are wonderful Birds. I love all animals but Teacup the male and Boie the female are like my children and I am blessed to have them. Also, have your bird checked, this is a very hard diease to treat. They are very lucking to still be here. Thanks for reading and I have enjoyed reading all your comments. Lisa 2008-03-03
I am very blessed to share my home with a Blue Throated Macaw. Her name is Kasey and I rescued her from a home in a windowless cement room and a dirty, rusty cage with no toys. She is a delight! But so intelligent. She can take anything apart and she loves to chew. I'm always looking for that perfect Blue Throated toy. She is cuddly, affectionate, and loud. She is a member of our family now and we love her. Loril 2007-11-17
Some of the coolest comments:
I HAVE A PAIR OF BLUE THROATS THAT ARE 11 YEARS OLD, AND THEY ARE NOW FINALLY STARTING TO BEAK FEED EACH OTHER! I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER BREEDERS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFUL PAIRS AND THEY SAY THAT THESE ARE VERY HARD TO BREED. THEY USUUALLY START BREEDING AROUND 10-12 YEARS OF AGE! A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THE REGULAR MACAW! AND ARE VERY DIFFICULT PARENTS, YOU WILL FINDING YOURSELF INCUBATING THE EGGS! THEY ARE ALSO VERY JEALOUS BIRDS! THEY CAN BOND TO ONE PERSON AND SOMETIMES WILL ATTEMPT TO ATTACK THE OTHER PERSON IF YOU INTERUPT THEM! I HAVE BEEN BREEDING BIRDS FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND SINCE OWNING THESE MACAWS AM VERY SURPRISED AT THE DIFFERENCE SAY TO THE B&GS! BUT ON A POSITIVE NOTE THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL AND IF YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON HANDLING THEM YOU WILL BE FINE! THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE BLUE THROATS! I BELEIVE THEY WILL BE ON THE ENDANGERED LIST IN THE WILD FOR SOMETIME BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY OF RAISING THEIR YOUNG! THANKS JOE GAMMINO 2005-05-04

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Author: Clarice Brough, CAS