Macaw

There are approximately 17 unique species of Macaw birds in the wild and in captivity today. All these birds are part of the Psittacidae family, which translates to “true parrots.” This parrot family further splits into two subfamilies: the Psittacinae and the Arinae, or Old World and New World parrots, respectively.

Old World parrots include the Grey Parrot, the Cape Parrot and the Senegal Parrot, which are found primarily in Africa. In contrast, New World Parrots include six genera of Macaw birds that live and roam in Mexico, Honduras, Brazil and other nations in Central America and South America. These birds include the scarlet Macaw, the blue and gold Macaw, the green wing Macaw, the red-shouldered, or Hahn’s, Macaw, and the harlequin Macaw.

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Unlike their Old-World cousins, these all have bright feathers in varying shades of green, blue, yellow, gold and red. While these colors are very vibrant and attractive to humans, these colors allow Macaw birds to camouflage themselves in the green leaves of the Amazon rainforest and other forests that they call home.

An Amazing Bird: 4 Macaw Facts

• These birds are long-lived; their lifespan can reach up to 60 years or more, even in the wild.
• They are playful birds and will use their feet, beaks and tongues to explore new objects.
• The hyacinth Macaw is the largest of all parrot species. It can reach up to three feet long and weigh up to four pounds.
• There are over 17 different species of this bird, many of which are at risk for extinction.

Where to Find Macaw Birds

The blue and gold and hyacinth species of these birds are native to Central America and South America. They can be seen in the wild in such countries as Mexico, Honduras and Brazil. Their unique feathers and bright coloring help them blend into the Amazon rainforest and their other natural habitats.

These birds generally live in monogamous pairs but also form families of up to 30 in one one flock. They generally settle into the crevices within tall trees or live on cliffsides for protection. They have also been known to dig out depressions in riverbanks or other hills made from soft earth.

Macaw: The Bird’s Scientific Name

Due to the large number of living species, there are numerous scientific names for these birds. In general, all 17 of these species are found in the Psittacidae, or true parrot family. Further, they are part of the Arinae, or New World parrots, subfamily and the Arini tribe of Macaws and parakeets.

The six genera of living Macaws are as follows:

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• Ara, which includes the scarlet (Ara macao) and the green wing Macaws (Ara chloropterus)
• Primolius, a genus that includes smaller, mostly green Macaws such as the blue-headed (Primolius couloni) and the yellow-collar Macaws (Primolius auricollis)
• Orthopsittaca, the genus of which the red-bellied Macaw (Orthopsittaca manilatus) is a part
• Diopsittaca, a genus that contains only the red-shouldered Macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis). This species has two subspecies including the noble Macaw and the Hahn’s Macaw.
• Anodorhynchus, which includes the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)
• Cyanopsitta, a genus of which the Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is the only living member

Due to their cheerful nature, their vibrant coloring and their ability to learn words, many birds of this species are popular pets. This status has led breeders to create some hybrid species in captivity. For example, the harlequin is a new breed that is a cross between the blue and gold and the green wing species. Harlequins generally have personality and coloring elements from both species.

Macaw Size, Appearance & Behavior

These are generally playful and happy birds. Their owners have described them as clowns or jokers. They are highly social creatures both in the wild and in captivity. Many do well with families where they have more humans to interact with on a regular basis. If they are hand-fed from an early age, then they will become attached to their owners.

In the wild, these are curious birds. Scientists and enthusiasts have observed these birds playing with new objects. They will often toss new things into the air and catch them with their beaks or their feet. They also will lick and taste the object to try and get more information about it.

While these birds bond in pairs, they also typically seek to form larger flocks of 30 to 40 or more birds. Increased numbers serve to protect themselves from humans, snakes, larger birds, jaguars and other threats. Macaws often shriek or let out loud noises to communicate with or to warn their flock mates. In captivity, they like to learn words and will practice new vocabulary until they master it.

As you can imagine, the average size, weight and wingspan varies widely from species to species. The largest examples are part of the Ara genus. This group includes the hyacinth Macaw, which has a wingspan between three and four feet and weighs up to four pounds. It is also more than 39 inches long.

The smallest species is the red-shouldered Macaw (scientific name Diopsittaca nobilis), which is also known as the mini-Macaw. These birds weigh only 5.8 ounces and only 12 inches long. The Hahn’s Macaws and noble Macaws that make up this species are almost identical in appearance. However, the Hahn’s has a black upper mandible.

Macaw Bird Nests

These birds normally nest in the knots or crevices in tall rainforest trees. Some species also make their homes in rotted out trees on the savannahs and plains in South America. Other species will opt to nest on rocky cliffs for protection while some will choose to dig out an area in a riverbank.

What This Bird Eats: The Macaw Diet

Macaws primarily eat fruit as their main source of nutrition. However, they do also fly to grassy areas in search of seeds or nuts. Their strong beaks are capable of cracking almonds, brazil nuts and other similar nuts. Nuts’ higher caloric value and fat content is important to the larger species like the hyacinth Macaw.

For a complete analysis of the diet of macaws, don’t miss our ‘What Do Macaws Eat: 11 Foods in their Diet‘ guide!

Macaw Predators and Threats

These birds are at risk from several native species in the Amazon rainforest and the forests of Central and South America. These predators include snakes, monkeys, and larger birds. Specific threats include pythons, boa constrictors, jaguars, ocelots,eagles and falcons.

Macaw Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Macaws reach sexual maturity between two and 10 years depending upon the species. At that time, they will typically pair up and bond with another bird in their flock. Most clutches have between one and four eggs. If reproduction is successful, then females will generally wait two years to mate again.

The eggs normally incubate anywhere between 24 and 28 days depending upon the type of Macaw. Chicks will typically remain in the nest under their parents’ protection for up to three months after hatching. At that point, they will often stay with their parents and siblings for a year and then head off to find their place in a flock.

A Macaw’s lifespan varies significantly based upon its species. For example, the blue and gold Macaw will live up to 35 years in the wild. In comparison, the green wing and scarlet Macaws have a lifespan between 70 and 75 years. Overall, these birds average 60 years in the wild, but some individuals do survive into their 80s and beyond.

The Bird Population of Macaws

The Macaw population varies significantly depending upon which species you evaluate. Some species, like the Spix Macaw are extinct in the wild. In fact, less than 200 of these birds left in captivity worldwide.

In contrast, there are believed to be at least 10,000 blue and gold Macaws left in the wild. This species is labeled as least concern because its numbers, while still declining, have remained relatively stable over the last decade.

Other species, like the hyacinth Macaw, are endangered and considered threatened. There are only an estimated 6,500 specimens of these birds left in the wild. Similarly, there are only about 2,000 scarlet Macaws left in the world.