Maui Sunset Macaw

"Mariah" - Maui Sunset MacawMaui Sunset MacawPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Jackie Brown

   Because of its parentage, the personality of the Maui Sunset Macaw lends itself to being very friendly, playful, and even talkative... for a macaw!

   Being a hybrid cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw and a Red-fronted Macaw, the Maui Sunset macaw will have unique influences both in color and in personality. Hybrids have been traditionally bred for color. So being able to attribute personality traits to a hybrid are factors that are quite unknown. The playful Blue and Gold however, is one of the better talkers of the macaws. The smaller Red-fronted Macaw is quite docile and affectionate, but is also known to be quite loud.

   The Maui Sunset Macaw is a first generation macaw, meaning its parents are two species of naturally occurring macaws. Because they are a mixture of more than one type of macaw, the offspring 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.

   Though the temperament and behavior of hybrids are areas of uncertainty, having parents are that are both quite docile and affectionate macaws, the Maui Sunset Macaw should be a good natured pet bird. They will inherit the gentle nature and the speaking ability of their parentage and can be a very affectionate, inquisitive, and fun pet. All macaws require good socialization and consistent training to make good pets.

   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 Maui Sunset Macaw is a first generation hybrid macaw. It is a cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw Ara ararauna and a Red-fronted Macaw Ara rubrogenys.

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

Description:    Maui Sunset Macaws look just like their name, as if colored by a soft sunset. A Maui Sunset Macaw is a cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw and a Red-fronted Macaw. Both parents of the Maui Sunset Macaw contribute to the colors of their offspring, though the father's have the dominant gene and this will influence their final appearance.
   Mariah, seen in the picture above, had a father that was a Blue and Gold Macaw, with the mother being the Red-fronted Macaw. Sired by a Blue and Gold Macaw you can see the strong yellow frontal area. This is tempered by the red of the Red-fronted Macaw, and the red on the legs is also like that of the mother. The naked facial area and lore is influenced by the Blue and Gold.

Size - Weight:    Though a full sized macaw, the Red-fronted Macaw is the smallest of the large macaws. Therefore the offspring could vary quite a bit in size ranging from 24 - 34" (61 - 86 cm) though most likely on the smaller side.

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, 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 Maui Sunset Macaw has awesome parents. The Blue and Gold Macaw characteristics make for the best all around personality and a good speaking ability. Add to that the sweet affectionate temperament of the Red-fronted Macaw and you have a wonderful bird.
   Macaws are affectionate, inquisitive, and intelligent. They make them a great companion not only for a single person but when well socialized are friendly with everyone, even other birds. To have a family type bird that enjoys more than one person, make sure it is well socialized with lots of folks. See About Macaws: Social Behaviors for information on developing a well rounded friendly macaw. (Also information on handling and activities)

'Mariah' - juvenile Maui Sunset Macaw

Breeding/Reproduction:    This is a rare hybrid and due to the delicate situation of the Red-fronted Macaw (being severely threatened with extinction) it is not suggested that there be intended breeding of this hybrid. It is very important that the Red-fronted Macaws become firmly established themselves.
   The Red-fronted Macaws are also still quite rare in captivity, but they have proven to be good breeders. They are now beginning to be more widely bred in the United States and hopefully they shall soon become well established.

   "Mariah is 6 months old and a sweet, gentle baby. She is a cross between a B&G(father) and a Red Front(mother) These birds were unsexed pets for years and suddenly became a mated pair, these babies were not planned. "...Jackie Brown

   Dr. Jungle says... "We wish Mariah all the best, however the intended breeding of this hybrid is not suggested at this time as the Red-fronted Macaw is severely threatened in its native habitat."

Potential Problems:    Can be noisy (as can all macaws).

Availability:    These birds are very rarely available. Finding these macaws for sale may be difficult, as current breeding emphasis is placed on establishing the highly endangered Red-fronted Macaw species.

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