Different Types Of Macaw Parrots

In this article, I will discuss the different types of Macaw parrots, well at least the most common ones.

There are over 30 different species of macaw parrots, including the Blue and Gold Macaw, the Scarlet Macaw, the Military Macaw, the Red-Fronted Macaw, the Hyacinth Macaw, and the Spix’s Macaw, just to mention a few.

The Macaw Parrot family is one of the most distinctive groups of New World parrots, thanks to the seemingly bare areas on the face which are covered in patterns of tiny feathers.

These thinly covered areas of the skin can reflect the mood of the bird, becoming redder when the bird is excited or angry.

No other group of parrots shows such a variation in size as the Macaw family. They range from about 100 cm long down to the diminutive red-shouldered macaw which is 30 cm long.

All Macaws have a similar body shape with long tails. The larger macaws are also the most colorful.

It is hard to sex them as there are no differences in the plumage between the sexes, although hens can be recognized by their smaller heads.

Macaws can live for well over half a century and it may take five years or more for youngsters of the multi-colored species to reach maturity. Youngsters can become very tame and will learn to talk, although none of the macaw family is especially gifted in this department.

They have powerful bills and loud voices which won’t make them ideal pets for many. The dwarf macaws are easier to cater to, although they too can be noisy and are very destructive by nature. These are predominantly green in color, unlike their larger relatives.

They eat mainly walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, and other mixed seeds and nuts.

They need to be housed in individual pairs for breeding purposes. However, the Red-shouldered macaw can be bred successfully in a colony. Stout nesting boxes are essential for all macaws, in view of their destructive natures. Large reinforced barrels mounted on secure platforms are also a good option for larger birds.

If you own a macaw parrot, it is a good idea to microchip it in case it escapes or gets stolen, as these birds are very valuable.

Different Types Of Macaw Parrots

Blue And Gold Macaws

This striking bird (A.ararauna) is one of the most widely kept macaws and they are found over a huge area from Panama and down across much of South America.

This bird has sky-blue plumage, extending from the vicinity of the crown over the entire back and wings.

There is a small area of greenish plumage above the bill, and a small area of black adjoining the whitish facial skin. The tiny feather tracts on the face are unique to the individual bird and can be used to prove identity if the bird escapes or is stolen.

An interesting mutation of this bird is the blue, in which the gold is replaced by white feathering. One such bird was exhibited in France and another in the UK a few years ago at a bird exhibition and it is hoped that this mutation can be successfully established. Other than the blue, there are no other color variants of the blue and gold macaw.

They are 82, 5 cm long. They lay 2 to 3 eggs and incubate them for 28 days and the fledging period is 90 days.

Red And Gold (Scarlet) Macaws

The red and gold macaw (Ara macao) has the largest distribution of any parrot in the Americas, from Mexico southwards right down to parts of Eastern Peru, Bolivia, and parts of Brazil.

Unfortunately, these birds have now been declared an endangered species, largely as a result of the loss of habitat in the northern end of its range.

In practical terms this means that depending on where you live, you may need to obtain official permission before you can advertise chicks that you breed for sale or adult birds.

The red and gold macaw is easy to distinguish due to the golden yellow feathers over their wings and the red plumage which is scarlet rather than crimson. It is impossible to sex the bird by sight, but the heads of the cock birds will often appear a bit bolder. Young birds can be recognized by their dark irises and shorter tail feathers.

These macaws are 85 cm long and their incubation period is 28 days. They also lay 2 to 3 eggs at a time and the fledging period is 90 days.

Green-Winged Macaws

The green-winged macaw (A. chloroptera) is another of the multi-colored macaws with a massive range right from Panama to the Northern parts of Argentina. They are 89 cm long.

The crimson red feathering predominates here with an area of green and blue plumage across the wings. The lower back and rump are also blue.

Young birds are identified by their dark irises and shorter tails, their feathers are more maroon than crimson in the prominent feather tracts extending across their faces.

They are gentle in nature in most cases, but they are also loud.

They lay 2 – 3 eggs at a time, incubate them for 28 days and the chicks fledge after 90 days.

Severe Macaws

The severe or chestnut-fronted macaw (A.severa) is less colorful than its relatives and comes from parts of Panama to Bolivia and Brazil.

It is a dwarf macaw and is slightly larger than the yellow-collared macaw.

It has a broad band of chestnut plumage just above the cere, that gives the bird its name.

The remainder of the plumage is mostly green with blue on the head, wings, and tail. Red patches are evident on the edge of the wings in the vicinity of the shoulders.  This feature is seen in a number of macaws.

The birds often use this as a threat by opening their wings to reveal the color and intimidate a rival. They also use this behavior in their mating display.

They are 50 cm long and lay 2 to 3 eggs. They incubate for 28 days and the fledging period is 70 days.

Yellow-Collared Macaws

The yellow-collared macaw (A.auricollis) is well established in aviculture and is found in Latin America, parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia.

It is one of the more colorful dwarf macaws and it has a loud call. As with the other macaws, the cock and hen form a strong bond.

The yellow-collared macaw is 40cm long, lays 2 to 3 eggs, and incubates for 26 days. The chicks take 70 days to fledge.

These macaws are easy to identify as they have a yellow collar behind their necks.

Red-Bellied Macaws

The red-bellied macaw ( A.manilata) originates from northern South America.

It is instantly recognizable by the maroon feathering on its lower underparts and the bare area of pale yellowish skin on the sides of the face.

While most macaws are hardy once acclimatized and easy to look after, the red-bellied has a reputation for being problematic as they have a tendency to become obese very easily which does shorten their lifespan. For this reason, they need to be eating a complete diet with fruit, vegetables, and greens. Offer them mixed nuts in preference to a standard parrot seed mix.

They also need secluded aviary surroundings to give them a sense of security. The sides may need to be screened too if they are very nervous. These macaws have surprisingly loud calls for their size.

They are 48 cm in length and lay 2 to 4 eggs in a clutch. They incubate them for 27 days and the chicks fledge after 77 days.

Hyacinth Macaws

The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest species of parrot in the world.

It is native to the wetlands and forests of central and eastern South America.

The Hyacinth Macaw is a long-tailed and medium-sized bird, with a length of approximately 100 cm from the top of its head to the tip of its long tail feathers. 

It has a vivid blue plumage with a variable amount of yellowish-green on the wings and a striking yellow eye. The beak is large and black, and the feet are gray.

Its diet consists mainly of nuts, seeds, fruits, and other vegetation, but it may occasionally eat eggs, small animals, and carrion.

The Hyacinth Macaw is considered endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal trapping for the pet trade.

Red-Shouldered Macaws

The red-shouldered or Hahn’s macaw ((A.nobilis), is the smallest member of the macaw group. It is predominantly green in color with red markings on the undersides of the wings in the vicinity of the shoulders.

They closely resemble their larger relatives and are more of a manageable size (30 cm long) so they make excellent pets.

The hens lay 3 to 4 eggs and the incubation period is about 25 days, and the chicks fledge in 54 days.

Just like their large relatives, they also display their moods by blushing when excited or alarmed. The facial skin becomes redder as a result of increased blood flow.