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Ruby Macaw

Ruby MacawPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Sharon

   The beautiful Ruby Macaw quickly reminds us of a Green-winged Macaw, but is distinguished by the addition of bright yellow and orange feathers scattered across the center of its back and wings!

   The Ruby Macaw is a hybrid cross between a Scarlet Macaw and a Green-winged Macaw and is quite attractive. Hybrids are usually bred for color rather than personality, so their characteristics can be uncertain.

   This is a first generation hybrid macaw, meaning its parents are two species of naturally occurring macaws. Because the offspring are a mixture of more than one type of macaw, they 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 Ruby inherits its gorgeous coloring from these two striking parents.

   The parents of the Ruby Macaw are two very popular types of birds. The Scarlet Macaw is one of the most highly favored macaws, and often described as both beautiful and striking. It has been the best known South American parrot for over 100 years. The other parent, the Green-winged 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.

   The personality of a Scarlet is such that it requires good socialization and a firm consistent hand in training, especially as it matures. The Green-wing is a very gentle, affectionate and sensitive macaw. The Ruby can have the characteristics of the Scarlet, but it can also incorporate the gentle nature of the Greenwing. Ruby Macaws can be a very affectionate and playful, good talkers, and fun pets that are very 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

Geographic Distribution Data provided by GBIF.org

Scientific name:    The Ruby Macaw is a first generation hybrid macaw. It is a cross between a Scarlet Macaw Anodorhynchus macao and a Green-winged Macaw Ara chloroptera.

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

Description:    Ruby Macaws are exceedingly striking in coloration, and rank right up there 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. A Ruby Macaw needs good socialization and a firm consistent hand in training, especially it matures.

Ruby Macaw Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Deborah Pearson

   In the mating pair, the male has the dominate gene. Often times the overall coloration of the Ruby Macaw can be very similar to the Green-winged Macaw and they are often mistakenly thought to be a Green-winged Macaw. Coloration varies however, even in babies from the same clutch.

• If the male parent is a Green-winged Macaw:
  The offspring will generally have the same size body and head as the father. What distinguishes the Ruby from the Green-winged father is the center band of feathers. These feathers can be a mixture of varying amounts of yellows and oranges, and they can be edged with different shades of yellows and oranges.
• If the male parent is a Scarlet Macaw:
  The offspring will generally have the head and body size of a Scarlet. The amount and coloration of the facial feathers will also generally be more similar to those of the respective father. There is very little facial feathering on the offspring of a Scarlet father.

Size - Weight:    The Ruby Macaw is a full sized macaw, very close to the same size as its parentage. They will reach over 2 pounds. The length of the Scarlet Macaw is up to 85 cm (33.5 inches) and the Green-winged Macaw is up to 90 cm (35.5 inches). A Ruby Macaw will reach a size somewhere in the middle and possibly closer to that of the father.

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. In the wild their parent species eat a variety of palm nuts, fruits, seeds, and possibly vegetable matter from the treetops. Provide them with a good parrot mix that includes formulated foods, seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. They will also enjoy fruits and vegetables.

   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 with lots or folks. See About Macaws: Social Behaviors for information on developing a well rounded friendly macaw. (Also information on handling and activities)

Breeding/Reproduction:    Because it is a hybrid it is generally not bred.

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 somewhat hard to find and fairly expensive. There are more and more breeders however and they are becoming more common.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Ruby Macaw View all 16 comments on Ruby Macaw Add Your Comment

NikkiB - 2011-02-22 I have a Ruby, he's an extremely fun and lovable bird. He does require a consistent hand as is mentioned in this article as he can be a bit of a brat sometimes (which he'll willingly tell you just before acting like a 2 year old throwing a temper tantrum), but I wouldn't trade him for anything. Jake is very vocal and loves to get the rest of my birds started with a big round of peek-a-boo's and a Beach Boys Barbara Ann when he's feeling goofy. LOL Reply

Lindsey - 2011-04-02 I have an 8 year old ruby macaw named Louie. My husband rehabilitates birds on the side. Louie came into our lives about 2 years ago. At the time we had 3 other birds. He fell in love with Louie. Don't tell him but I did too! The 3 other birds were rehabilitated and are now in new homes and Louie is still with us and is never leaving. I must admit I am not a fan of birds nor am I very fond of them. I just don't quite get them or understand them. I have yet to hold louie but I have bonded with him and I truly enjoy him. He loves being pet and scratched. He loves listening to music and singing. He can be very loud and as another post said on hard wood floors their screams and screeches are ear piercing. I think birds are very moody. Some days he's extremely happy and other days he's not. He's very playful and energetic and loves attention. He is right in the center of all the action so he does not feel left out. Louie grew on me. I think he's just the cuttest thing now. And we have a special relationship. Of all bthe birds we have helped the ruby macaw is by far my favorite. I love their personality! Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-04-02 I had a Ruby macaw and she was just full of fun. She was as tempermental as they come - sorta reminded me of my teenagers. I;d wait to see the modd of the day and go from there. They are beautiful. I just went on the assumption that Ruby ruled on occasion. I adopted her and was told she was 5 - 6 years old. She became quite loving in her independent way and enjoyed being pet, held and loved. Ezfarahani Kamarudin - 2011-12-20 I live in Malaysia Kuala Lumpur and Im looking for a ruby macaw did you import it or did you bought it from a petstore.Please reply to me at ezfarahani@hotmail.com thank you Reply

Ludie - 2010-07-22 I have had my Ruby since it was weaned. It is now over 20 years old. It talks quite well and loves to have a bath. Very temperamental and spoiled but I would never part with Baby! Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-08-19 They are lively and interesting and occasionally domineering pets. Must love you Reply

LORI J - 2009-01-09 I am blessed to have three rubies! They are exceptional, intelligent, beautiful. They do like to be in the limelight. They love to spread their lovely wings so they may be admired by anyone. They are excellent talkers. They love to sing. They LOVE to cuddle. They are outgoing and well adjusted when raised with love. They are my joy in life. Of all the macaws I believe they make the very best pets. That is why I am blessed to have three. Seek one out and you will see why. Click For Replies (1) Dena Shanahan - 2010-08-28 I love what you say about your birds, good for you! I feel the same with the 2 I have, I have a quaker and a amazon and doing much research and wanting one bird bird for our family! Our family is just my husband and I. I have heard that scarlets can be nippy, need a firm hand etc, but then I get words like yours, I just love the rubies also, and they have scarlet in them, but also green wing which I have heard is the best as for temperament, any info you can give would GREATLY appreciate it, is there a big difference from the small /med bird like the amazon is to the big birds, they all need time out, TLC good diet, is it the same with the big birds as well, love to talk, thanks so much Dena, you can email me at addyteal59@yahoo.co Reply

Kellie - 2009-10-05 When the kids left home I told my husband I was going to get a job, a dog, or a big bird. Well 2 years ago I got a job and then 8 months ago he brought home the bird. I new what a big responsibility it was and told him we can't keep it but he said he would help. He basically rescued the bird, and we fell in love with our Ruby Macaw named Skittles. We chose not to rename him. He or she is loving and and fun and gets along with everyone including the 4 year old twins and wants to meet every new person that comes over. Our friends and relative go straight to him to see what mood he is in to see if he will step up. Sometimes he won't but most of the time he will. On all hardwood floors his screams are ear piercing but he is pretty tame most of the time. The feather dander can seem overwhelming but Skittles is worth the trouble. He has his own spot in every room of the house with lots of toys so he is not too destructive. Some wonderful person did teach him to "go on the paper" so that is not a problem. We just love him-her, Skittles. Reply

donna - 2009-01-02 I have a wonderful Second generation Ruby named Valen, She is the light of my life. And I enjoy her so much, she is nothing like first Generations, she is not high strung like the first generations can be, she loves to play and she is learning everyday. She will be 1 years old in Feb. of this year. What a joy she is... thanks, donna Reply

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