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Catalina Macaw

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Catalina Macaw - "Merlin"Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Cheryl Galloway

     The Catalina Macaw is a very colorful parrot. It is a cross between a Blue & Gold Macaw and a Scarlet Macaw.

     The Catalina Macaw has two very popular types of macaws as its parents. The Scarlet Macaw, one of the most highly favored, is described as "beautiful and striking". The Scarlet has been the best known South American parrot for over 100 years. The other parent, the Blue and Gold Macaw, has been has been one of the most popular pet birds in the trade, renowned not only for its beauty but for its gentle, amiable nature.

     Hybrid macaws are bred for color. The Catalina Macaws are a first generation hybrid macaw, though today there are second generation Catalina Macaws whose parents are both Catalinas. Because they are a mixture of more than one type of macaw, the offspring are influenced by the traits and characteristics of both of its parents. Father's have the dominant gene, so this will generally influence the offspring's coloration and overall appearance. The Catalina inherits its gorgeous coloring from these two striking parents.

     The behavior and temperament of hybrid macaws are more unpredictable and uncertain than the coloration. The personality of a Scarlet is such that it requires good socialization and a firm consistent hand in training, especially as it matures. The Catalina can have these characteristics, but it can also have the gentle nature and the speaking ability of the Blue and Gold Macaw mixed in. It can be a very affectionate, inquisitive, and fun pet that is beautiful.

     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 Catalina Macaw is a first generation hybrid macaw.. It is a cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw Ara ararauna and a Scarlet Macaw Ara macao.

Distribution:      ThIs is a captive bred hybrid macaw. Hybrid macaws are rarely found in the wild.

Description:      Catalina Macaws are among the most colorful of the Macaws. They are a full size Macaw and can learn to talk with a general vocabulary of about 15 or more words or expressions.

Photo  © Animal-World: Courtesy William Morris

     Because the availabilities of female Blue and Gold Macaws rather than female Scarlet Macaws, the mother is often a Blue and Gold with the father being the Scarlet. With the father's dominant gene, the Catalina usually has yellowish to orangish red on the chest and some on the back. The top of the head and wings has some green moving down into blue greens. They are similar in appearance to Harlequin Macaws, but with the long tapering tail of the Scarlet.

Size - Weight:      A full sized macaw, they can get over 2 lbs. Lengths up to 86 cm (34 inches).

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, 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 typical macaw. Can be cranky at times and may even be a one person bird or only like men or women unless well socialized. To have a well rounded bird that enjoys more than 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 hybrid macaws 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:      The Catalina Macaw is a popular hybrid that has been successfully bred for many years. It is most commonly a first generation hybrid, but second generation Catalina hybrid macaws are also seen today, whose parents are a cross of two Catalinas. Finding these beautiful macaws for sale is easier than some of the less commonly bred hybrids..

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It's been almost 3years since I brought Maxie Macaw into my home. I remember asking everyone when will she start to really love me and let me pet her.... I was told that birds can take a long time, not weeks, or months; but sometimes years. It seemed like an eternity; but here we are just 2 months shy of 3 years,.....and Yes,...Finally I can say that Maxie Loves me as much as I love her. I was on a reclining chair and she climbed onto my stomach, walked up my chest to my face where she started kissing me, while I caressed her body. It was worth waiting for. She is a one in a million bird....and we love each other more everyday! Dina Richter 2009-08-27
Hi I have had my catalina macaw for about a month. He/she loves my hubby but when he is gone rocky clings to my 5 yr old daughter. We bought rocky from a lady who was his/her third home. I have definitely found a new love for the large birds, this will be his/her forever home. I am glad that we have Rocky. I plan on having her/him dna tested than microchipped. Being 6-7 yrs old, we will have a long life together.:) thanks for the info before my purchase. Sarah 2007-04-14
My Catalina Macaw Max is the light my moms and my life. He is very funny and loves to hang by his beak and squawk. He barks like a dog and will say hi if you are watching tv instead of paying attention to him. He took some time for me to get use to but we love him and Me and him are around the same age (17). Hes very loving, when he wants to be. We wouldn't sell him for the world. Donna and Megan 2007-02-22
i bought my catalina from a woman who couldn't keep him in a new apartment. Conan took a few months to get used to me and my 13 year old daughter, but now he's part of the family. he's VERY talkative, but he's MESSY! these macaws are SMART! he picks up phrases fast. i have 2 dogs and he's not afraid of them at all. all in all catalinas are great birds and definitely LOVE attention. Bruce 2007-01-25
I have a Catalina Macaw his name is Uno. He is my love. I take him everywhere. He loves to be held. He also loves to show off. He spreads his wings and yells look at me I am a pretty boy. If you do not say how pretty he is he will get louder and continue until you pay attention to him. Petting we are working on, he will growl when not in the mood. He just turned 3 years old. I only cage him when I am not home as all my loves. I also have a U2 and a LSC Too. He does prefer females but will go to anyone. The reactions I have from people are wonderful. They want to get all the information they can on theses amazing birds. Kim from OH Kim 2006-08-27
Some of the coolest comments:
I have had my Catalina Macaw for over 5 years now! Prior to, he was my brother-in-law's bird. He's in his "terrible teens", lol. He loves to go for car rides (van only...hates the mustang). There is about a 15 minute window before he begins regurgitating (he really loves me)! I've read and heard their vocubulary is approx. 15 to 25 words. Well...be informed, this is an extremely conservative estimate. My "Buddy" (Budweiser)has a vocabulary in excess of 50 words and min. 20 full phrases/sentences, that are most of the time-used in context with full appropriate expression. And that's only what I've heard! This is excluding his sound imitations, little dog & big dog barks, eeeew, kissing, coughing, sneezing, opera singing (I don't have the heart to tell him he's no "song bird"), whistling, laughing, humming, sighs, Uuuugh-I'm sick sounds, etc. He hasn't met a yellow nape or African Grey yet that he hasn't "put to shame" in a verbal war! He was raised with another Macaw and a Nape and I wonder how much influence that had on his verbal skills? To this day, I'm amazed at what comes out of his mouth. Since new things are always "popping" out of his mouth-that he didn't hear at home! For over a year, at approx. 8pm every night, He'd call out "Boo Bear". I had no idea why until my brother in law was at my house and heard him calling "BooBear". Boo Bear was a dog my brother in laws-father had when Buddy was a baby! His new phrase for this week, "That's enough-You better behave". He's in his rebellious/teenage years and reminds me of this daily with his "whatever, shut up and spoiled brat"! I recently began fostering a handicapped (one leg) female Green Wing, who supposedly only said "I love you" and "Hello"...whether her owner (tsfrd. overseas for military duty) didn't know, or Buddy has had an influence...within the short 3 weeks she's been with us, I have heard her say many of the same phrases and words as him. I'm worried about him being a bad influence on her and the four letter words will start coming out soon. lol My buddy is a spoiled, bratty, narcicist and I wouldn't trade him for the world! When both my cats (a year apart) were losing their battles with cancer, Buddy would go stand next to them and just gaze at them. It was as though he was trying to comfort them in some way. Prior to them getting sick, he never gave a care in the world about those cats. Didn't even acknowledge their existence. After they both passed to kitty heaven, he didn't speak for several days. I think he was grieving or allowing me to do so. I can't ever imagine beginning my day without hearing, "Goin to work-crappy work-hurry up"...and ending my day with kisses, "I love you-see you in the morning". Stacy 2007-12-01
Hi, We have just recently adopted a Catalina Macaw, Cleopatra....Cleo for short. And she is an absolute doll baby. So loveable and sooo smart. She talks very well...and in context. We just love her to pieces. Still trying to understand how anyone could give up such a wonderful,loveable bird. We are owned by 5 other birds so she fits in well. John & Marti Ohio Marti Anders 2003-12-06

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