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Military MacawAra militaris Family: Psittacidae
The Military Macaw is a big beautiful green macaw, and was even referred to as the "Great Green Macaw" in early writings (a name also applied to the Buffon's Macaw)!Though the Military Macaw doesn't have quite as brilliant a mixture of colors as that found in many of the large macaws, it is a very impressive parrot. It is very similar to the Buffon's Macaw but is a bit smaller and a brighter green. With good interaction and attention, a Military Macaw can become quite tame and friendly.
Photos © Animal-World "Kippit" shown in the picture above is a five month old Military Macaw. This friendly fellow has been socialized with lots of people and enjoys receiving attention, petting, and being held. For information about the care of Macaws see:
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| Dr. Jungle exclaims,"let the show begin!'... Having had the opportunity to see Joe Krathwohl, The Birdman of Las Vegas, and his birds perform in Las Vegas was a real treat for Dr. Jungle and the crew! "A Military Macaw was one of Joe's main performers and really stole the show!" Joe also features
a Military Macaw in his wonderful bird video, "The Complete
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Subspecies: Ara militaris militaris
Ara militaris mexicana
Ara militaris boliviana
Distribution:
The Military Macaws are native to Central and South America
and Mexico. There are three subspecies of the Military Macaw distinguished
mostly by the distinct location from which they come. The A.
m. militaris is found in the northwestern part of Venezuela
to eastern Ecuador and northern Peru, the A. m. mexicana is found in Mexico except in the rain forest zones, and the A.
m. boliviana is found in the tropical zones of Bolivia and
the nothern part of Argentina.
Description:
The Military Macaw has a general green plumage, though the
head is a lighter green, the throat is olive green, and there is an olive
tinge to the back and wings. The lower back, rump, and the outer edges
of the wings and tail are blue.They have a bright red forehead and a faint
bluish tinge on the hindneck. The tail is a brownish-red on top and olive-green
on the underside. They have a bare face patch lined with small greenish
black feathers. The beak is gray-black and the eyes are yellow.
There are three subspecies of the Military Macaw and they
are all very similar in appearance, though the A. m. boliviana has a reddish-brown throat and darker blues on the outer wings.
The Military Macaws have been recognized for a very long time. It has been suggested that they first became well known to Europeans at the time of the invasion of Mexico, with references indicating the bird was quite valuable to the Incas. There are other early references to this bird in 1609 and again in 1741. Early in the 19th century, P. J. Selby referred to this bird as the "Great Green Macaw" (a name also used to describe the Buffon's Macaw!) and described the Military Macaws color as a "fine and lively green".
Size - Weight:
The Military Macaw is a full sized macaw, though they are
a bit smaller than several of the other large macaws. These birds are
about 25"-27" (70-75 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. 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 typical macaw. Can be cranky at times and may
be a one person bird or only like men or women, etc.
See About Macaws: Social Behaviors for information on developing a well rounded friendly macaw.
Breeding/Reproduction:
The usual clutch consists of two or three eggs which incubate
for about 26 days. The babies will fledge after about 3 months in the
nest. Feed the parents plenty of greenstuffs, corn-on-the-cob, carrots,
and fruit laced with food supplement while they are rearing the youngsters.
See About Macaws: Breeding/Reproduction for information on breeding.
Sexual differences: No visible differences.
Potential Problems: Can be noisy (as can all macaws).
Availability: This bird is not in as much demand as the more brilliantly colored large macaws. So though it is commonly bred it is not available as a pet as often, but it is occasionally available.
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Comments from people who have kept this pet:
I've had Benito for 8 years now, raising him from a bald little baby. He lives outside next to the window where he "visits" with me. For the first 6 years, Benny slept indoors on a perch, but never once messed on the floor. Every morning, he comes into my bedroom and sticks his tongue in my ear and says "Edwardo!". He picks up words on his own and has started calling me "Appa". Although I say his name constantly, he has never said his own name. My parrots all say "Benny" though. He definitely changed my life!
I think military macaws are the coolest pets ever. I just recently got one and i have bonded with it more than anybody else could. His name is Fred Kay and he is really protective of me.
My military just came home last week, I wanted a blue & gold or a greenwing. I was looking on the net and found a guy that had two 4 month olds and I answered his ad and drove to see them. I couldn't believe how alive the colors looked. The net does nothing for the looks. My military macaw is named Chief, and he is spoiled already. He has never nipped me hard, except one time when he was slopping off of my arm and tried to grab my shirt. He got a mouthful of skin and shirt. He calls during the day some and almost whispers as the night comes in. This bird is really cool and I have taught him two tricks on command in just 3 days. These guys are very smart and love to be held as well as introduced to new games and get plenty of wood for them to chew and a good hanging toy and you get one happy bird; Don't forget a peanut or two a day!
My MM Alex, is one of 4 parrots, 2 U2's, B&G. By far my MM is the sweetest and the least "loud". She was cage bound for 6 years prior to our rescuing her. We use a great hepa or better air filitration system. B&G is separate due to dust. Rest in birdroom. My MM loves all the birds and is an avid chatterer, singer and truly my favorite, as far as attitude. She is nippy with hubby and most men. She layed an egg last January (non-fertile). I rescue and rehab. NO BREEDING/BUYING/SELLING.
we have a 2yr old military macaw called tattie because she looked a scruff when we bought her at harrogate show. we bought her because she took an instant liking to my wife and knocked the other macaws off the perch to get across the cage to get to my wife and screamed when we walked away. we returned and tried the other side of the cage with the same result. so she had to come home with us and she still behaves the same way and nobody else will do when my wife is in. she also likes the grandchildren and will sit on the floor of the cage when they are playing and tries to join in. she is hand reared and we would not be without her.
I have a 10 y/o Military Macaw that was taken from a home where she was neglected. I have to say...training her and getting her to come out of her shell has proven to be easier than I had though in the 3 months I've had her. She does talk...mimics a lot of things that she hears around our house. She is however, very tempermental and has only really bonded with me. My sister lives with me and she still snaps at her every time she walks past the cage. Overall, she has become one of the most amazing pets I have ever had the pleasure of sharing my home with. The only warnings I would give are these: they can get very loud...whistling, screeching, squaking, and it is not easy to spend time with them, and then walk away without a fight...they will scream! She loves to dance, and she talks only when she thinks no one is around...but her personality is amazing.
Author: Clarice Brough, CAS.
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