Severe Macaw

Severe Macaw - "Phillip" Adult Male Breeder

Size - Weight:    Severe's can grow to lengths of 40 cm (16 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, 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 Severe Macaw is a social and friendly mini macaw, and a great choice if you want a smaller macaw.. These mini macaws are intelligent and eager for attention and play. They have a good disposition and respond well to handling and training. But they are a typical macaw and can be cranky at times and may prefer only one person or only one gender.

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

Severe Macaw - juvenile

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.

  The juvenile Severe Macaw seen here is one of two very sweet hand fed babies. The father (Phillip seen in the picture above) and mother are about 14 years old. They had three eggs, two of which hatched. The third egg was cracked and never hatched. We pulled the babies from the nest when they were four weeks old, and hand fed them from there.

   The babies are about 12 weeks old and are still taking one feeding per day. They both are very affectionate and love to cuddle into your lap or chest wherever you hold them. They can be noisy but with a little attention they will calm down and be very good companions. Usually they make noise in the morning because they are so excited to have the cover removed from their cage, and they like to be fed.

   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:    There are not as many Severe Macaws in captivity as there are other types of mini macaws. But they are a delight to own, and have proven to be ready breeders. More are being bred today, and occasionally you can find these macaws for sale.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Severe Macaw View all 40 comments on Severe Macaw Add Your Comment

Jill Swanberg - 2012-04-20 I have a Severe Macaw and the green feathers are turning red and I would like to find out why this is happening. Charlie Roche - 2012-04-20 Some severe macaws have more red (on their feathers) than others. Is your little one about 2 year old and starting to get his adult feathers and coloring? There are also mutations. Reply

Denise Carlin - 2010-10-02 Hello, I have had my severe macaw, Mac for about 10 years. He is very clever and many times unscrews things I have attaching things in his cage, like his water bottle. I even tighten the bolts as tight as I can and he still can get them off. Does anyone else have an industrious severe macaw? I am often amazed at how smart he is! Charlie Roche - 2012-03-08 I use small padlocks to hold toys in my macaws cages. Actually had one that picked a padlock. brenda samrow - 2012-03-08 I have a 4 yr old named Kid.He's always unscrewing his toys and getting out of his escape proof cage. Sometimes he can't get enough attention and other times its best to leave him alone. He's in a cage with a cockatoo and they have the darndest conversations. I just adore them. Reply

chris martin - 2012-02-27 I am considering adopting a severe. I have experience with birds having had a goffins cockatoo in the past. Are severe macaws screamers? That is my most important question. I know that some birds call out in the morning and/or evening, but I don't want a bird that sits on its perch, inside or outside his cage, all the time. Thanks Charlie Roche - 2012-02-27 A severe macaw can and will make a pretty big noise for a little guy. Yes, usually in the morning and as the sun sets but sometimes if they want out or attention. They are not, however, as vocal as a cockatoo and are more independent and wiling to play on their own. Reply

Atalanta Starnight - 2012-02-07 Don't do it! Don't get one. I have one. You won't be able to do anything else with your life other than babysit the macaw. They are adorable but very very needy. They have the emotional nature of a two year old and never grow up. Atalanta Starnight - 2012-02-07 Oh and no matter how much attention you give it, once day they will pluck everything off (because you had to go to work or something) and you can't stop them. Reply

Matt - 2011-11-11 I am about to get my very first severe macaw, he is 5 months old and I've decided to name him Mojo. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on this type of bird and its needs? He is very friendly to me and doesn't seem to mind my wife too much. I had an african grey in the past and he was very much a one person bird, he would fly and attack people that talked to me, almost seeming to be jealous of my interactions with anyone that wasn't himself. I was told the severe macaw is a very social breed of parrot and that they make great family pets. I'm in this for the long haul so any advice is welcome. Peace love and crackers! Tamee - 2011-11-18 I have a Severe Macaw. I inherited her 6 years ago. She is 35 years old. Well we think she is 35 anyway. She was caught in the wild and was bought just out of quarantine. I just read on Wikipedia that the Severe Macaw got it name Severe because once they reach puberty they are not so sweet. Well that can be true. Mandy Lynn can be sweet as punch then in the next few minutes a real bitch. That is just who she is and I love her anyway. Be sure to socialize your bird while it is young. Socialize socialize socialize I cannot emphasize that enough. Get him one of those little bird leashes if you are unsure of his safety in the open. Mandy never socialized and is scared of everything and everyone except Me and my boyfriend. When she is on my shoulder no one better touch her not even my boyfriend even though she will roll over coo and let him pick her up cupped in his hands. A feat I was only able to do with her in the past. She is messy and no your cage will not contain the mess just know you will be cleaning up after your bird daily and taking the cage out for a hosing about once a week. DO NOT FEED your bird a diet high in nuts. I just found that out. Mandy has spent her whole captivity eating mainly cashews. Now she is severely Vitamin A deficient and no longer has the little natural barbs in her mouth that help hod her food so she can swallow it. I did not know until she just recently started feather plucking. Something they do when they are ill. Or if they don't get enough attention. Nuts should only be given as treats. I am not sure how often. I have just stopped giving them to her. Now I get up every morning give her her medicine on a piece of bread for her feather plucking. Then I give her yogurt with her vitamins in it. She loves that. I feed her Harrisons. I am feeding her the Harrisons that you would start your little guy on because the vet said she needs the extra nutrients for now. Not all the tests are back so she could still have some issues to deal with. He liver is very enlarged. So she does not have the lung capacity she should. Her original owner was a chain smoker that smoked in her vicinity her whole life. She actually lived with him on a boat for 11 years. Close quarters. I also would definitely build him an aviary in your back yard. One big enough for him to fly. I hate to think that my bird has given up its greatest natural gift to be my pet. Charlie Roche - 2011-11-18 Severe macaws can make a wonderful family pet - they learn who does what the best and go there. Maybe your spouse gives him a treat or your daughter pets his head the best etc. They are normally quite comfortable and affectionate with the family. Unl;ess socialized and out a lot meeting other people, they have a tendency to be leery or afraid of new people. After they know them a few days they usually warm up. A grey almost always bonds to one person. They may tolerate others but will usually be jealous of their human mates interactions with other humans. Macaws are quite expressive in their body language and the little severe will train you and the other members of your family quite easily. Learn their language, interact and watch them. Have them where you are most frequently whether the kitchen or the TV room - on a perch - preferably separate from their cage. Start the basics right away such as 'up' when you pick him up. 'Kiss' when you kiss him on the top of the head. 'Foot' to shake hands etc. Put words with actions just like you would a child. They learn and they understand. I believe macaws go through stages like the lovable infant, the naughty twos and puberty. During molt or start of puberty - they can be pretty independent. It is just a stage - Reply

Lewis - 2011-11-03 Hi I Am thinking of getting a parrot. But I don't know what one to get, either a severe macaw or an African grey. I really want one but I am only allowed to have one, could anyone help me as to what parrot I should get???? Charlie Roche - 2011-11-03 They are both good choices but way far different in personalities and type of companion. A severe macaw will say a few words but mostly is very expressive with body language - especially his foot (honest). They will be comfortable wherever you go and with whatever enviornment you are in. You can take them to your friends house, etc. They travel easy and will adapt easily to a harness if you want to take them to the park or for a ride in a car. They usually get along with most people - especially all those that are a constant in the home or frequent visitor. They might like you best but are usually fine with all people, places, noices, commotion, quiet, toys, alone time and lots of play. More socialization than the friendly they are with all people. A grey is almost always a one person bird and will tolerate others but sure not like them much. They do not like commotion, loud noises, traffic, kids going in and out. They like attention from their human and require much attention and stimulation or they will pluck and most pluck. They will not adapt to different enviornments, and do not like change. They are excellent speakers and quite clear but it takes a lot of patience and teaching to have them talk. Amazons don't speak as clearly but they usually have some sounds going on. So you have severe that you can hold, play with, cuddle, have around other people and take out and will be OK on his own playing but will love playing with you and learning. Or you have a grey - which you will be able to pet but probably no one else can. A grey is the ruler and he wants peace and quiet and will not like change. They require much stimulation. People who are at home, quiet home, absolutely adore their greys - to the best of my knowledge. People who are active, go out, have friends over or young children running in and out etc and can't devote a lot of time - a grey probably won't work regarding lifestyle. Reply

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