Military Macaw

Scientific name:     Military Macaw - Ara militaris

Subspecies: Ara militaris militarisAra militaris mexicanaAra 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.

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:     The Military Macaw can become a good pet. These intelligent macaws can get along with more

Military Macaw - "Kippit"

     "Kippit" shown in the pictures to the right 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. He enjoys posing, and loves to ge rewarded with treats.

"Kippit" enjoys a snack!

Handling/Training :      The Military Macaw is intelligent and eager for attention and play. It has a good disposition and responds well to handling and training.

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 the main performers for Joe Krathwohl, The Birdman of Las Vegas. His Military really stole the show. Joe also features a Military Macaw in his wonderful bird video, "The Complete Bird Training Video". It is a super resource for working with macaws or any pet parrot.

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

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 as available as a pet as other types of macaws. But occasionally you can find these macaws for sale.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS.

Comments
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Latest Comments
We have a 4 year old Military Macaw. She is very outgoing, clowny and silly. She loves making me laugh. When I start laughing, she'll do a whispery laugh. True to their reputation, Militaries can very much be nippy, but ours was raised with boundaries and she's very respectful with her beak. They are not a bird for everyone. Her call is more shrill than our Blue and Gold's, so be prepared for that. She's an okay talker. We're still working on reinforcing her existing vocabulary. I happen to LOVE the Military. The few I have known are very active and need lots of toys to keep that beak out of trouble! They also like to hang upsidedown in their cages like bats. They are a riot. We love our girl. Reply Owned by a Military 2008-11-19
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! Reply Edward W. 2007-09-24
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. Reply Tanner Kay 2007-01-05
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! Reply bigdj315 2006-10-03
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. Reply cockatoolou 2006-03-17
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. Reply steven willan 2006-03-12
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Questions - Answers
I've got an approx. 10 year old female Military. That was a good bird up till the day that the Male B&G that she was raised with died( he ended up with a heart condition. Now she is the MEANEST bird that I have ever seen. I also have a younger B&G that is like a big baby, but the Military can no longer be handled. In turn, she gets less attention, in turn gets meaner, because no one wants the blood, & scars that she can inflict. There are days that I feel like opening the front door and throwing her out. I know, thats cruel, and I wouldn't do it. I'm even afraid to proceed to try and tame her again, I've had a lot of birds, as many as 6 Macaws, 2 greys, a bunch of Canaries, & a boatload of Finches, all at the same time. All but 2 Macaws, and about 10 Gouldian finches remain, and I'm slowly getting out of the finch hobby. Any ideas as to what I should do. I now hate this bird, but she is so pretty. I think that she is a womans bird, because she will get real close to my daughter when she talks to her. But my daughter has seen what she can do, and won't have anything to do with touching her. HELP Reply Matt 2010-02-19
Click For Replies (1) Please don't give up. She is grieving. I am sure when she accepts a new companion and is over her sense of loss she will be sociable again. I have a 4 year old MM named Carlos. He is hilarious. He only lets me handle him but he talks to my daughter and grandson whenever they walk by. He yells Jordan when we are calling my grandson to dinner, he meows after the cats, feeds the dogs his pellets and says haha when they pick up the food. Peek A Boo is his favourite saying. He always says night when I put him back in his cage at bedtime, but he seems to know when we are putting him in his cage because we age going out. Then he always says BYE quite loudly and he sounds a little disgusted with us. I would love to know how you make out. Brampton, Ontario... Brampton, Ontario
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