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Blue & Gold Macaws
(Ara ararauna)
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The Blue & Gold Macaw (Blue & Yellow Macaw) is both very striking in appearance and so very intelligent. They are the second most popular parrot kept as pets in the UK. The African Grey Parrot being the most popular. They are however totally unsuitable for most people due to their size and requirements both mentally and physically. Originating from Central and South America.
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Description Size is approximately 34-36 inches, from head to tail. Plumage blue on the wings and tails with gold (or yellow) chest, back and legs, suffusing to blue/greenish on the forehead. Black beak, bare skin on the face with small black feathers marking underneath the eye area. This marking is different in each bird, every one is unique. The bare skin around the face can 'blush' as humans do, when they are excited. Their feet are dark grey/black. The eyes in young birds are very dark, turning lighter to a yellow/grey colour as they mature.
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Description Size is approximately 34-36 inches, from head to tail. Plumage blue on the wings and tails with gold (or yellow) chest, back and legs, suffusing to blue/greenish on the forehead. Black beak, bare skin on the face with small black feathers marking underneath the eye area. This marking is different in each bird, every one is unique. The bare skin around the face can 'blush' as humans do, when they are excited. Their feet are dark grey/black. The eyes in young birds are very dark, turning lighter to a yellow/grey colour as they mature. |
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Noisy & Destructive Large macaws can be extremely noisy, and whilst they can make nice pets if acquired at a young age, they are very lively and destructive and should only be acquired as a pet after very careful consideration.
They are not for the first time bird keeper. |
Mainly
because people do not give enough thought about what they are doing when
acquiring these birds. |
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Could you cope? Blue and Gold Macaws can and should be very long lived. Up to 50 years or more, their life time is actually your life time (not a few years). Their needs are great, not only in their environment, but their diet also. They need plenty of mental stimulation and plenty to occupy their time. You cannot go out to work 5 days a week 9-5, or cope with young children AND keep a demanding parrot, (forever a child) happy.
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Diet Diet should consist of good quality mixed seeds and nuts, soaked seeds, cooked pulses and at least 50% fruit and vegetables. Plus some extra protein in the form of maybe cooked lean chicken, or boiled egg. For extra information on their diet, what to offer and what is safe, please go to our page: Parrot Diet |
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Breeding Adult birds lay between two and four eggs and the incubation period is approximately 28 days. Young birds can become totally independent at anything from 16 weeks onwards. No set rules here, each bird will wean at its own pace. Fledgling macaws need to have a careful eye kept on them to ensure they are eating sufficiently and most importantly drinking. Dehydration can kill a parrot and is sometimes notice when it is too late. Parent reared macaws learn very quickly and they soon become excellent fliers provided they have the space to do so.
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Weaning If a bird is force weaned this causes psychological as well as physical problems in later life. If you are offered a Blue & Gold Macaw at 12 weeks old, beware - it will not be independent and able to cope with life. Much better to hang on a few extra weeks for the right bird. |
If acquiring a Blue & Gold Macaw as a pet, the cage you purchase must be as large as possible. Whilst it is not as common in the large macaws (as in African Grey parrots or cockatoos), to feather pluck, it does still happen. The cause of this is mainly poor environment with lack of mental stimulation, and/or a poor diet. |
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Aviary Blue & Gold Macaws in aviary situations, must likewise have as large a flight as possible. They should have a length of minimum 20 feet, to enable them to fly. If you cannot provide the space needed, do not compromise them, don't buy them! |
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There are in all honesty, too many people breeding from these birds and hand rearing them, and not enough of these breeders caring where their birds end up. These highly intelligent, sociable parrots; are too big a commitment for most people. Even if you think you can cope.
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