Bright long feathers and the large appearance of the macaw bird make them unique from the rest of parrots. Due to their large size, macaws are called “the giants of the world.” These colorful parrots are native to Central, North, and South America. Bare facial areas are the characteristic of macaws that can be in different patterns and sizes depending upon the species.
Specie Overview
Weight: 900 to 1200 grams
Color: Blue, Red, Green
Diet: Feed on fruits, nuts, and seeds
Size: Large
Life Span: 50 – 60 years
Habitat: Rainforest
Macaws Species
Macaws is the name given to a group of parrots that are often vividly colored and have long tails. They are famous companion birds of different types, each type being slightly different from the others. Macaws have about 18 species, the Hyacinth macaw being the most common one. The species of macaw include:
● Blue-and-yellow macaw
● Red-and-green macaw
● Hyacinth macaw
● Scarlet Macaw
● Military macaw
● Spix’s macaw
● Great green macaw
● Blue-throated macaw
● Red-shouldered macaw
● Lear’s macaw
● Cuban macaw
● Red-fronted macaw
● Golden-collared macaw
● Chestnut-fronted macaw
● Lesser Antillean macaw
● Red-bellied macaw
● Golden-collared macaw
● Blue-headed macaw
Typical Lifespan of Macaw
The lifespan of macaws greatly varies and depends upon the species. Companion macaws usually live 30 to 50 years. In nature, macaws may cross 70 years of age. They are known to be the longest-living parrot specie.
Size of Macaw Parrot
Typically, adult macaws weigh two to four pounds. The largest of all parrots, the Hyacinth macaw can grow 30 cm long and can have a 1,200-1,700 gm wingspan. The strong bones of macaws allow them to feed easily on fruits and nuts.
Personality of Macaws
Macaws are incredibly cheerful creatures having outgoing personalities. They are affectionate, loyal, and highly intelligent species of bird. Macaws can copy human speech and other sounds in their environment. You can train macaws to use different tools and solve problems. They can even communicate with other birds.
The macaw bird is a social bird. They can be clownish at times to draw attention. You will love how they have a natural ability to respond to their family members on specific sounds.
Sometimes they can misbehave and need to be taught how to interact with other animals and humans. Here is a good guide to stop your macaw from biting
Feeding and Caring Requirements for Macaw
The tail feathers of macaws grow very long; therefore, it needs a cage big enough to prevent the feathers from getting bent. You will need a significantly larger play stand and cage for a macaw parrot. A full-grown macaw can comfortably live in a cage that is 60 inches tall, 48 inches deep, and 36 inches wide.
Fruits, flowers, palms, nuts, seeds, leaves, and figs are a part of the wild macaw’s diet. Since they fly all day long in their natural habitat, macaws need more fat in their diet. However, when it comes to feeding a companion macaw, you can give the macaw about half a cup of pelleted food.
In Conclusion
The Macaw bird typically has impressive strength and friendly nature. They are highly social birds that demand continuous social interaction. If you have experience keeping large birds, you will love having this companion by your side.