How to Tame a Blue Macaw and Red Macaw
Macaws generally choose a partner and spend much of their time together, sharing meals, grooming each other and caring for their young. Unfortunately, these magnificent birds are near the edge of disappearing from their habitats.
Habitat destruction by humans and cage bird trade and poaching are all major threats to this beautiful species.
Great Green Macaw
The great green macaw (Ara ambiguus) is the largest parrot found in Central America and one of the most striking birds in the rainforest canopy. The green color of its plumage is accentuated by the red on its forehead and blue on its lower back, and tail feathers. Its wings and tail are both long and pointed which allows it to move effortlessly through the forest canopy. Its large, strong beak is adapted to breaking open seeds and nuts. The great green macaw is a predator and, as such, it plays an important part in sustaining healthy rainforest ecosystems. Its seed dispersal allows species of trees such as the maiz biological tree Dipteryx Oleifera to thrive, providing food for other species of animal.
These magnificent birds live in pairs or small groups and spend the majority of their time flying high up in the forest canopies searching for fruit, nuts, and seeds. Nests are often found in hollow tree cavities which are lined with branches or grass. Females will lay between two and three eggs which will incubate over 26-28 days. Once the chicks hatch, the male helps to feed them.
Captive great-green macaws are excellent companion pets. They are intelligent, playful birds. It is crucial to keep in mind that these birds require plenty of space, patience and care to flourish. They are prone to bite and can cause damage if they are bored. They are also susceptible to certain health issues, like proventricular dilatation and macaw wasting disease.
As with many other tropical species, great green macaws are in decline. Their habitat is being degraded by mining, logging agriculture, cattle ranching. The illegal trade in wildlife and hunting for food are also affecting their numbers.
The only way to guarantee their survival is to protect their habitat. Creating corridors between protected areas will allow these animals to move freely and gain access to various food sources. Ultimately, preserving macaw parrot cost of these beautiful birds will help protect other endangered species that live in their habitats, such as the Scarlet Macaw and Yellow-naped Amazon.
Blue and Gold Macaw
This gorgeous bird is among the most loved parrots that are kept in captivity around the world. It is intelligent and affectionate. It is also very active. It requires a great deal of interaction and training but can be a great pet if it is properly trained. Macaws can be aggressive if not properly trained or provided with distinct boundaries. This is why it is important to work with a professional trainer who knows how to handle large birds and can teach them tricks. Dave and Jamieleigh from BirdTricks have put together a wonderful video on how to tame an Blue and Gold Macaw. They provide some tricks, tips and techniques that can help anyone train their macaws to be friendly and fun to play with. Click HERE to watch their video.
A member of the parrot family, the blue and gold macaws are neotropical birds that are native to forests (especially in varzea areas) and woodland and savannah habitats found in tropical Central America and South America as in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. They have a mostly blue dorsum and tail feathers, with accents of yellow or gold and a gradient of green on their heads. Their wings and wing coverts are blue with green highlights. Their feet are zygodactyl, with two toes pointed in the direction of forward and backwards, a design that allows them to grasp branches with ease.
They are monogamous and pair for life and stay together during the breeding season. They build their nests in tree cavities which they dig up with their sturdy beaks. They usually lay two or three eggs and then incubate them for 25 days. Once hatched, the altricial chicks are fed via regurgitation by both parents until they are old enough to take care of themselves.
They are intelligent birds that communicate a wide range emotions through a variety of vocalizations. They also display a variety of courtship behaviors, including cocking their head and flirting with their wings raised and blushing. They can also express their emotions by shaking their tail feathers, bowing, prancing and bobbing.
They are also playful, and they love to chew toys. Therefore, it is recommended that pet owners provide plenty of bird-safe and sturdy toys that hold up to their strong jaw muscles. This will keep their teeth in good condition and prevent the development of plaque and tartar.
Red-shouldered Macaw
This tiny bird, also known as the Hahn's Macaw is one of the most intelligent macaws. It is a good friend to its human counterparts and is a ferocious speaker that can master many tricks. It is also more calm than other macaws. This makes it a great option for those who might be worried about a noisy parrot. It may be small and nippy, but generally gets over it and can be extremely playful as a mature parrot.
The bird is native to swamplands and savannahs as as tropical lowland habitats throughout Brazil, Venezuela Guyana and South-Eastern Peru. Its vibrant green coloring is ideal to disguise itself in the forest. It lay between two and five eggs, which are incubated for 24 days. After two months the chicks are ready to develop into fetuses. The species is typically married for life and is typically found in pairs.
It primarily forages to find flowers, berries, fruit, seeds, nuts, and leaves in its natural habitat. They are also known to eat insects, too. They are also known to congregate near clay cliffs. This is believed to aid in the elimination of any toxins they might have picked up while eating their normal food.
Like other macaws Hahn's Macaws are susceptible to self-mutilation, feather plucking, nutritional disorders, proventricular dilatation disease, and overgrown beaks. A balanced diet, regular vet examinations, and appropriate cage care can help prevent these problems.
In captivity, the bird is extremely social and can live up to 40 to 50 years. It isn't typically sold in large pet stores however, it is available in avian-specialty stores as well as from breeders of birds. It is intelligent, however it can be difficult to train for a novice. It is a superb talker and can be taught to whistle, clap and dance.
Hahn's Macaws are loud and not recommended for living in apartments. These birds need a spacious cage with many steady perches, several large food bowls and plenty of space to exercise daily outside their cage. They are also extremely powerful chewers and require a sturdy cage that is secured.
Blue-and-yellow Macaw
The Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) is a beautiful, large tropical parrot. Like the other members of the Macaw family the bird is monogamous, and couples for life. It also has a tendency to mimicry which makes it a good companion bird.
The species is native to South America and can be found in a variety of habitats. This includes cloud forests, savannas and rainforests. The Blue-and-yellow Macaw is deemed to be endangered by the IUCN Conservation efforts are underway to save this beautiful animal.
These birds attain the age of breeding when they are 3-4 years old. It is believed that they will pair for the rest of their lives and will stay together until one of them dies. The Blue-and Yellow macaw typically will lay between two and three eggs in a single nest. The female incubates the eggs, while the male defends the nest. After the chicks hatch they become dependent on their parents for food until they can feather themselves and consume food for themselves.
In the wild, Macaws are social birds and will spend their time in flocks of other parrots and Macaws. They are extremely intelligent, and are able to learn a broad variety of sounds. The Blue-and Yellow is a skilled flyer. It is often seen performing impressive aerial maneuvers and soaring through the forest canopy.
The Blue-and-Yellow macaw is a beautiful and charismatic creature. It is a wonderful option for those seeking a pet that will provide companionship and entertainment.
This beautiful large tropical parrot is native to South America. It is monogamous and mates for life and has a strong inclination towards imitation. It has a strong tendency to form bonds 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 will reach 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 families. The Blue-and-yellow is found in diverse habitats such as cloud forests, savannas, rainforests, and jungles. The Blue-and-Yellow prefers build nests in tree cavities, which they create with their powerful beaks. Females lay between 2 and 3 eggs. They will then incubate them for a week.