Macaws are a family of large birds with a strong beak and a long tail, ranging in size from 1 metre for the hyacinth macaw to 30 centimetres for the noble macaw, the smallest.
The largest macaws are also the most colourful, and their plumage can range from green to a combination of the most vivid colours.
They generally live more than 50 years; and although no macaw is particularly gifted in this respect, young birds can be tamed and learn to talk. On the other hand, their powerful beak, their loud calls and, for some, their imposing size are often off-putting.
Hand-reared birds are generally very docile, but once adult they can sometimes become aggressive, especially towards strangers.
Living environment:
In the wild: they live in the forests of South America.
In captivity:
Enclosure sizes are regulated: see under https://www.aufuret.ch/ large macaws have an extremely powerful beak, so they need aviaries with very strong wire mesh. They destroy wood, so they should not be allowed to roam around the house unsupervised. They are far better off in an outdoor aviary, where the elements will give their plumage an intense sheen. They can also be kept on a perch next to a nest box that will serve as their sleeping quarters for the night.
They tend to be noisy, so care must be taken over where they are placed.
Diet:
- In the wild: they feed on legume seeds, palm nuts, various kinds of almonds and palm fruits.
- Dry food: macaws readily accept ready-made food preparations. They can also be given a mixture made up mainly of walnuts, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts. They also eat many seeds and cereals: sunflower, niger seed, peanut, hemp seed, pine nuts, safflower, linseed, canary seed, millet, sorghum, maize, oat groats, rice, blé pécardi.
- Fresh food: fruit, vegetables, greens, sometimes soft food (mash), vitamins.
- Treats (parrots are real gourmands!), in moderation nonetheless (cakes, biscuits, dried fruit, jam, yoghurts, fromage blanc, and occasionally ham or chicken!)
Reproduction:
The male cannot be told from the female with the naked eye, except that the female generally has a smaller head. During the breeding season, macaws must be housed in pairs, as only the noble macaw manages to nest successfully in a colony. Nesting macaws tend to be aggressive. The clutch can range from 2 eggs in the hyacinth macaw to 6 eggs in the noble macaw. The female incubates for 24 to 29 days depending on the species.
The best-known macaws:
- Hyacinth macaw: a bird with magnificent blue plumage, with yellow around the eyes and the mandibles. It is the largest parrot in the world (1 metre long).
- Scarlet macaw (or Ara macao): the most popular macaw in captivity (along with the blue-and-yellow macaw). Its plumage is red, with blue and yellow. This bird, whose natural habitat is threatened by deforestation, is protected under the Washington Convention.
- Blue-and-yellow macaw (or Ara ararauna): it has superb turquoise and yellow plumage, with a small green patch above the beak. Blue-and-yellow macaws mate for life, and the pairs stay together throughout the year. Its calm temperament and personality make it a good companion bird.
- Green-winged macaw: this large macaw, 90 centimetres long, has crimson-red plumage with green and blue. It is fairly gentle by nature, but less amiable than the scarlet macaw or the blue-and-yellow macaw, and utters powerful calls.
- Yellow-collared macaw (or golden-collared macaw): it is 40 centimetres long and has green plumage with a yellow patch on the nape (hence its name). Its call is relatively shrill. As with other macaws, the two partners of a pair are very closely bonded.
- Noble macaw: it is the smallest of the macaws, at only 30 centimetres long. Its plumage is green with red markings on the shoulders. Very similar to its more imposing relatives, it makes an excellent companion bird.
- Advice: if you are thinking of getting a macaw, opt instead for a mini macaw (such as the noble macaw, for example). Although just as noisy and destructive by nature, they are simpler to care for.
Common diseases
Like all birds, the macaw hides illness for a long time: by the time the signs become visible, the situation is often already serious.
A macaw that keeps its feathers fluffed up, stays motionless at the bottom of the cage, is drowsy or refuses to eat should alert you. In birds, these subtle signs are often already late ones: you must not wait.
Lack of attention, boredom or stress can drive the macaw to pull out its feathers, or even to bite its skin (feather plucking, self-mutilation). Certain infections affect the feathers and beak (beak and feather disease, or PBFD) and cause lasting damage to the plumage.
An infection called psittacosis (or chlamydiosis) can make the bird listless, fluffed up and without appetite; it can also be transmitted to humans. A diet that is too poor eventually lacks certain vitamins (especially vitamin A). The beak and claws can also grow too long.
The macaw lives a very long time: regular veterinary check-ups, even when all is well, help to detect problems early.
When to see a vet promptly repeatedly fluffed-up feathers, a less lively bird, pulled-out feathers or deteriorating plumage, an overly long beak or claws, abnormal droppings (colour, runny) that persist.
When to see a vet urgently difficult breathing (open beak, tail bobbing with each breath), a bird prostrate at the bottom of the cage refusing to eat, marked listlessness with fluffed-up feathers.
Key points in birds, a visible sign is often already a late one: do not wait. Company, a varied diet and regular check-ups prevent many problems. This information does not replace a consultation.