How to Tame a Blue Macaw and Red Macaw

Macaws typically choose a life partner and spend much of their time together, sharing food and grooming one another, as well as caring for their young. Unfortunately, these magnificent bird species are on the brink of being extinct.

The poaching of this beautiful species and habitat destruction caused by humans and the trade in cage birds are all threats.

Great Green Macaw

The great green macaw (Ara ambiguus) is the largest parrot in Central America and one of the most striking birds in the rainforest canopy. Its vibrant green plumage is accented by the red on its forehead and blue on its lower back, rump and tail feathers. The long pointed wings and tail allow it to effortlessly move through the forest canopy. Its beak is long and strong, adapted to break open seeds and nuts. The great green Macaw is a fugivore and, therefore is a key player in sustaining healthy ecosystems of the rainforest. Seed dispersal helps tree species such as the maiz biological tree Dipteryx oleifera to flourish and provide food for other animal species.

The majestic birds are typically seen in small or pair groups and spend the majority of their time in the canopy of the forest looking for fruits, nuts, and seeds. Nests are typically found in hollow tree cavities which are lined with grass or branches. Females will lay two to three eggs which she will then incubate between 26-28 days. The male helps feed the chicks once they hatch.

Captive great green macaws are extremely intelligent and playful birds that make wonderful companion pets. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that these animals require plenty of space, attention, and patience to flourish. They are known to bite and can be destructive when bored. They also are susceptible to certain health problems, like proventricular dilatation, or macaw-related wasting.

The great green macaw is in decline as are many other species of tropical origin. Their habitat is being destroyed by logging, mining agriculture, cattle ranching. The illegal trade in wildlife and hunting for food are also affecting their numbers.

Protecting the habitat of these incredible creatures is the only way to ensure their survival. By creating corridors between protected areas, it will allow them to move freely and gain access to various food sources. In the end, safeguarding the natural habitats of these beautiful birds could help to protect other endangered species who share their homes.

Blue and Gold Macaw

This beautiful bird is one of most sought-after parrots kept in captivity around the world. It is intelligent, affectionate, and very active. It requires lots of interaction and education, but can be a wonderful companion if properly trained. Macaws can be aggressive if not properly trained or given clear boundaries. This is why it is essential to work with a professional trainer who is aware of how to handle large birds and can teach them tricks. Dave and Jamieleigh from BirdTricks have come up with an excellent video that shows how to handle the Blue and Gold Macaw. They offer some tips, tricks, and techniques to help anyone train the macaw to ensure it is friendly and fun to interact with. Watch their video HERE.

A member of the parrot family, the blue and gold macaws are neotropical birds native to forest (especially in varzea areas) and woodland and savannah habitats in tropical Central America and South America as in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. They have mostly blue tail and dorsum feathers with accents of yellow or gold and a gradient of green on their heads. Their wings and wing coversts are blue with green highlights. Their feet are zygodactyl and have two toes facing forward and two facing backward. This adaptation allows them to grab branches with ease.

These birds are monogamous and pair for life, and they remain together during breeding season. They dig up tree cavities with their powerful beaks to build nests. They usually lay two to three eggs and then incubate them for a period of 25 days. After hatching, the altricial chicks are fed via regurgitation by both parents until they are old enough to care for themselves.

They are intelligent birds who communicate a wide range emotions through a variety of vocalizations. They also exhibit a range of courtship behaviors, including cocking their heads, flirting by raising the wings and blushing. They can also express their emotions by shaking their tail feathers as well as bowing, prancing and bouncing.

They are also playful and they love to chew toys. It is recommended that pet owners provide an assortment of sturdy, bird-safe toys that can be able to withstand the force of their jaw muscles. This will help keep teeth healthy and stop the development of tartar and plaque.

Red-shouldered Macaw

Often referred to as the Hahn’s Macaw, this small bird is one of the most intelligent macaw species available. It is a good talker and is able to master a variety of tricks. It is also calmer than other macaws. This makes it a great choice for those who are concerned about a loud bird. It is small and nippy, but it usually gets used to it and becomes very playful as an older parrot.

This bird is native to savannahs, swamplands, and tropical lowland habitats throughout Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, and South-eastern Peru. Its vibrant green coloring is perfect for camouflaging in the vegetation. It lays between two and five eggs, which it incubates for 24 days. After two months, the chicks are ready to fly. This species is usually paired for life, and often found in pairs.

In its natural habitat, it mainly hunts for flowers and berries as well as fruits, nuts, seeds and leaves. These birds are known to eat insects, too. They also gather on clay cliffs which are believed to help eliminate any toxins they may have ingested from their usual food sources.

Hahn’s Macaws can be prone to self-mutilation and feather plucking as well as nutritional disorders. They also are susceptible to proventricular dilatation and enlarged beaks. A healthy diet, regular veterinary checks, and proper cage care can prevent these issues.

This bird can live up to 50 years in the wild. It is not usually available in pet shops with large sizes but it can be found in avian-specialty stores as well as from bird breeders. It is intelligent, however it is difficult to train for those who are new. It is a great speaker, and can be trained to whistle, clap and dance.

Hahn’s Macaws can be extremely loud and are not recommended for apartment living. These birds require a large cage with plenty of perches and food bowls. They should also be able to run regularly outside the cage. They are also strong chewers, and require a cage that is secure.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

The Blue-and Yellow Macaw is an enormous, beautiful tropical parrot. Like all Macaws, is monogamous and pairs for life. It is also susceptible to mimicry which makes it a great companion bird.

This species is native South America and can be found in a variety of habitats. Cloud forests, savannas and rainforests are all possible habitats. The Blue-and-yellow Macaw is deemed to be endangered by the IUCN Conservation efforts are in progress to protect this beautiful animal.

The birds are able to breed once they reach the age of 3 or 4 years. It is known that they will pair for the rest of their lives and will stay together until one partner dies. The Blue-and-yellow macaw usually lays two to three eggs in one nest. The eggs are hatched by the female and males will aggressively defend the nest. When the chicks are born, they are altricial, and they must rely on parents for food until they become capable of feathering themselves and start feeding themselves.

In the wild the birds are social animals and spend time in groups with other Macaws and other species of parrots. They are highly intelligent and are able to learn a broad variety of sounds. The Blue-and Yellow is a skilled flyer. It can be observed performing amazing aerial maneuvers and flying through the forest canopy.

The Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is an attractive and captivating bird. This is a great option for anyone looking for an animal to bring joy and affection.

This bird is a beautiful, large, tropical parrot that is native to South America. It is monogamous and can be a mate for life and has a strong inclination toward mimicry. It is inclined to bond with humans and is able to learn a variety of words and phrases.

When the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is between 3 and 4 years old, it reaches the age of breeding. The Blue-and-yellow will pair for the rest of their lives, and is known to be a part of small groups of family members. The Blue-and Yellow are found in a variety of habitats, including cloud forests and Savannas. The Blue-and-yellow is a nester in tree cavities, which they excavat with their powerful beaks. The female will lay between 2 and 3 eggs. She will then incubate them for a week.