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Ruby Macaw

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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

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.

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Latest Comments
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. LORI J 2009-01-09
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 donna 2009-01-02
My ruby macaw named Rico entered my life about 6 years ago. I got her from a breeder when she was able to eat on her own. She was hand raised and very tame from day 1. She is a lovely and absolute pretty macaw. The feathers have this ruby glow and in size she is as big as a greenwing. The young lady developed into a good talker and performs little tricks and acrobatics - especially when she seems to get too little attention! Her appetite is enormous as well as the volume of her voice. But never the less - I would not give her away for anything in the world. Barbara from Northern Germany 2008-07-05
I have been owned by a Ruby for over a year, and find the combo of a greenwing dad and a scarlet mom the most wonderful I have encountered. If you want a beautiful loving bird that can have a mean streak (playful and sarcastic) this is the right bird. They are expensive to buy and to keep, but all macaws are. Mine is the most social macaw I have ever encountered and tends to be a "velro bird", so be prepared to spend LOADS of time with this gentle giant. James 2007-12-15
I purchased Samson 6 months ago, life will never be the same. He has a mind of his own! Sam has become a full fledged member of this chaotic family that also consists of five kids, an african grey, Umbrella Cockatoo, two cats, & 2 dogs . He has a massive cage on the deck and really enjoys talking to the neighbors or screaming for help in a high pitched voice when he feels no one is watching his show! When the girls are playing and screaming he has to join in whether they all are outside or inside. My two warnings to anyone thinking of buying one is that they are extremely messy and loud. The purchase price is just the beginning. They are like a high maintenance spouse. Always costing you for something. Samson eats at the table with us out of his own plate and glass. He is 37.5 inches long and around 4lbs. leslie jo 2007-09-23
Some of the coolest comments:
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. Kellie 2009-10-05
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
this website rocks! vic 2006-06-23

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