Harlequin Macaw

Harlequin MacawHarlequin MacawPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Lorette van Leuven

   The Harlequin Macaws are some of the most beautiful and well behaved of all the hybrid macaws.

   The Harlequin Macaws are a cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw and a Green-winged Macaw which makes for a very affectionate, energetic, and captivating youngster.  Both parents of the Harlequin Macaw also contribute to the striking colors of their offspring, though the father's have the dominant gene and this will influence their final appearance.

   Harlequin Macaws can all be good "talkers" as are the parents. If handled by more people and by both sexes when young, they will tend to be friendly to others rather than to just one person or one gender. However every macaw, as do people, have their own personality. As with all macaws, they will 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 Harlequin Macaw is a first generation hybrid macaw. It is a cross between a Blue and Gold Macaw Ara ararauna and a Green-winged Macaw Ara chloroptera.

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

'Frida' - Harlequin Macaw (with a Green-winged Macaw father) Photo Courtesy S. Geldman

Description:    The Harlequin Macaw is a full size Macaw. Harlequin Macaws are a very colorful Macaw. In the mating pair of macaw parrots, the males have the dominate gene which affects the appearance of the offspring.

   "Frida", shown on the right, has a Green-winged Macaw father. Harlequin Macaws with a Green-winged Macaw father, have a breast color that is orangish. The breast color is a bit more reddish-orange for Harlequins having the Blue & Gold Macaw as the father. Frida is a very sweet, affectionate bird and a wonderful pet.
   To learn about "Frida's" hand rearing experience along with her first experiences in her new home, visit here: Frida!

Size - Weight:    A full sized macaw, they can get over 2 lbs. Lengths up to 86 cm (34 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, 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:    Harlequin Macaws are quite intelligent, trainable, and adept at learning tricks . They can learn to talk with a general vocabulary of about 15 or more words or expressions. The word 'harlequin' is defined as 'clown', and these playful birds can truly live up to that reputation.
   Though the temperament and behavior of hybrids is uncertain, the Harlequin Macaw typically takes on the natural docile side of the Green-winged Macaw. But it also takes the natural clownish personality of the Blue and Gold Macaw.
  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. To have a well rounded 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)

Breeding/Reproduction:    This is a hybrid and it use to be that hybrid macaws were generally not bred, however the breeding of hybrids is becoming more common. See About Macaws: Macaw Breeding, Bird Reproduction - Baby Macaws for information on breeding macaws.

Sexual differences:
   No visible differences in the sexes.

Potential Problems:    Can be noisy (as can all macaws). See About Macaws: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:    The Harlequin Macaw is a popular hybrid that has been successfully bred for a number of years. It is a first generation hybrid macaw, and finding these beautiful macaws for sale is easier than some of the less commonly bred hybrids..

Lastest Animal Stories on Harlequin Macaw View (46) Animal Stories on Harlequin Macaw View (4) Buy/Sell requests on Harlequin Macaw