Macaws
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Bookmarks / Links:
Macaw Species ... General Description / Summary ... Training & Behavioral Guidance ... Status in the Wild ... Macaws as Pets ... Hybrid Macaws ... Macaws on the Endangered List or Extinct ... Macaws: Average Weights & Measures
Related Webpages:
Macaw Cages ... Macaw Diet ... Bird Nutrition ... Macaw Diseases ... Toys ... Macaw Books
Overview
Kindly provided by Dr. Rob Marshall - http://www.birdhealth.com.au)Originating from South America, the macaw is a striking and impressive bird. A large variety of Macaw species are available as pets, ranging from the smaller Macaws such as the Red Shouldered Macaw (30cm in length) and Yellow-Collared Macaw (38cm in length) to the larger Scarlet Macaw (85cm in length).
Macaws are very intelligent birds and require an owner who is willing to provide the necessary stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. This includes providing lots of toys on which they can chew. Macaws deprived of such toys often become very destructive, using their large, strong beaks to chew on their cage and other household items.
Macaws have an excellent talking ability, however constant training is also required to prevent this beautiful parrot from becoming excessively loud.
The Macaw is a very sociable parrot and will most often develop a strong bond with its owner, making it a wonderful pet for those experienced in the care and training of a companion parrot. As with any parrot species, a hand reared male macaw from aviary bred parents always makes the best pet.
Many of the Macaw species are large and magnificent in every respect. They require a set-up that allows them to chew as much as they want, toys to keep them busy, an area that is easily cleaned and maintained. Not a bird for most households, but a source of great pleasure, wonderful companionship (and, admittingly, the occasional heartache over destroyed furnishings ;-), for the right owner.
| Chart provided by Dr. Rob Marshall - http://www.birdhealth.com.au) |
| Macaws Scarlet Macaw – Ara Macao Red Shouldered Macaw – Ara nobilis |
| Size: up to 85cm (varies with each species) |
| Pet Status: Very Good |
| Talking Ability: Very Good |
| Noise Level: Very High |
| Lifespan: Up to 50 years |
| Breeding Ability: Good |
| Number of Eggs: 2-4 eggs |
| Incubation: 24-28 days |
| Compatibility with other species: Not recommened |
| Feeding: Seed and Fruit Eaters |
| Health Programmes: Follow the Parrot Health Programme. |
| Sexing: Surgical or DNA sexing is required. |
Macaws are large colorful New World parrots, classified into six of the many Psittacidae genera: Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Propyrrhura, Orthopsittaca, and Diopsittaca. They are the largest birds in the parrot family in length and wingspan, though the flightless Kakapo is heavier. Parrots are zygodactyl, like woodpeckers, having 4 toes on each foot – two front and two back. Their native habitats are the forests, especially rain forests, of Mexico and Central and South America. They are called guacamayos in Spanish and araras in Portuguese.
The majority of macaws are now endangered in the wild. Five species are already extinct, and Spix's Macaw is now considered to be extinct in the wild. The Glaucous Macaw is also probably extinct, with only two reliable records of sightings in the 20th century. The greatest problems threatening the macaw population are the rapid rate of deforestation and the illegal trapping of birds for the bird trade.
Macaws have been said to live for up to 100 years; however, an average of 50 years is probably more accurate. The larger macaws may live up to 65 years. Macaws are ready to breed when they are about 7 or 8 years old.
The decision to have a macaw as a pet should be seen as a life-long commitment, as it will likely be a companion for life and many even outlive its human keeper. They are monogamous and mate for life. In captivity unmated macaws will bond primarily with one person – their keeper.
Pet macaws thrive on frequent interaction, handling and love just as humans do. Lack of this can lead to their mental and physical suffering. Other sub-bondings also take place and most macaws that are subjected to non-aggressive behavior will trust most humans and can be handled even by strangers if someone familiar is also alongside.
Without proper adult supervision, macaws are unsuitable as pets for children. All species of macaws have very powerful, large beaks and are capable of causing considerable harm to both children and adults. They are delicate creatures and require respectful and loving husbandry from handlers.
Macaws tend to be extremely loud: their voices are designed to carry over long distances. This makes macaws very demanding birds to keep and the decision to have one as a household pet should not be taken lightly.
Macaws eat nuts and fruit. They also gnaw and chew on various objects. They show a large amount of intelligence in their behavior and require constant intellectual stimulation to satisfy their innate curiosity.
Consider the following before adding a Macaw to your family:
- These are large parrots that require a lot of space -- Are you able to provide an appropriate and safe space for this bird?
- These parrots can live up to 100 years. They bond for life -- are you ready for a long-term commitment?
- Will you be able to provide daily, supervised time outside his cage?
- Macaws are noisy -- will this be acceptable to family members and neighbors?
- Will you be willing to take time out of your schedule to give daily attention to your parrot, play with him/her and train him to ensure that he or she doesn't adopt behaviorial problems?
- Is the primary care taker a mature and responsible person who can adequately care for this complex animal?
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Macaw ownership generally presents multiple challenges, such as:
Lunging:
Macaws often lunge at people, especially strangers. The immediate reaction by those "under attack" teaches the macaw that it can control humans with threat behaviors.
Experts believe that lunging rarely is about aggression, but macaws use it as a test and as later on as a game.
Regurgitation:
Sexually mature macaws regurgitate enthusiastically for their mate (human or feathered). It is best to discourage, not punish, this habit. Note: Regurgitating can also signal a medical condition, like a yeast infection in the crop.
Excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life.
They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable. Undisciplined macaws will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. More on chewing.
Biting:
They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. More on biting.
Noise:
Macaws are naturally noisy - their natural voicing does not constitute a behavioral problem. People who are sensitive to noise shouldn't even consider a parrot as a pet. Trying to suppress parrot vocalizations usually increases it. People often give increased attention to screaming parrots trying to get them to be quiet. It takes no time at all for a parrot to realize that screaming will get your attention. Even though the natural call of a macaw can't (or should not) be entirely eliminated, there are ways to discourage screaming / screeching in your pet macaw. More on "screaming."
Macaws are extremely food motivated, making food rewards a good training tool. Provide your pet with a treat for doing what you want him or her to do - this will potentially prevent many problems. For example, training a macaw to climb on a stick can prevent problems later when the macaw might become territorial around the cage. You can safely remove a stick-trained macaw from his cage and place it on a playtop prior to servicing the cage, thereby avoiding any aggression.
Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation.
Overall, it is important to guide parrot behavior, but even more so if your feathered family member is a magnificent and powerful macaw.
- AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:
- Macaw General Information
- Procuring your Parrot
- Breeders:
- NY City: Birds New York - a private aviary located in New York City.
- Click here for a Breeders Index
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- Breeders:
- The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy
- Housing Your Bird
- Bird Nutrition
- Parrot Products
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
Photo contributions and articles are welcome!
