MaCaws

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Blue & Gold              Camelot          Green-Winged             Hyacinth

Military               Scarlet

Of the many different parrots, six are classified as Macaws.  Macaws are native to Central America and Mexico, South America, and formerly the Caribbean. Most species are associated with forests, especially rainforests, but others prefer woodland or savannah-like habitats.

Proportionately larger beaks, long tails, and relatively bare, light-coloured facial patch areas distinguish macaws from other parrots. Sometimes the facial patch is smaller in some species, and limited to a yellow patch around the eyes and a second patch near the base of the beak. A Macaw's facial feather pattern is as unique as a fingerprint.

The largest macaws are the Hyacinth, Buffon's (great green) and Green-winged macaws. The smallest member of the family, the red-shouldered macaw, is no larger than some parakeets. 

Also see Parrots

Scarlet MaCaw

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

Photographed at

Phoenix Zoo, Arizona   Apr 2009

Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida    Mar 2011

It is native to humid evergreen forests in the American tropics. Range extends from extreme south-eastern Mexico to Amazonian Peru. It lives in the canopy and emergent layer (the tops of the very highest trees) of the rainforest. These noisy, magnificent birds can fly at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kph), often flying in pairs or small flocks.

The Scarlet Macaw is extremely intelligent and can be a very talented talker. The Scarlet Macaw can live up to 75 years in captivity, although, a more typical lifespan is 40 to 50 years. Scarlet Macaws are popular, but are a high maintenance pet; they are expensive to purchase.

This Macaw nest in holes located high in deciduous trees. Females lay 2 plain white eggs in each clutch. Both parents incubate the eggs. The young stay with the parents for up to 2 years.

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Military Macaw

Military Macaw

(AraMilitaris)

Photographed at

Disney Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida  Mar 2011

Military coloring is predominantly green with hues ranging from olive to emerald green. The feathers on his lower back and rolling down to the top of his tail feathers are a brilliant turquoise.

Military Macaws from Mexico and Central America live in scattered small pockets. They live in flocks as large as 40 birds or they can live in pairs or with small family groups.  Their natural habitat is arid grasslands. In the wild, they roost in the outer branches at the top of trees.

January through March is the Military Macaw’s breeding season when the female will lay up to four eggs. Incubation time is 28 days. The male does not help with incubation or with tending the young.

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Hyacinth MaCaw

Hyacinth Macaw

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus 

Photographed at

Disney Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida    Mar 2011

The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest of the Macaws.  They can grow to 40 inches in length with a wingspan of 60 inches. They have a black beak with yellow streaks on the bottom mandible.  Their beak is known to be the most powerful beak of all birds and it has the power to crack coconuts. 

Native to Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, in forested areas in flooded grasslands but is on the Endangered Species list. 

In the wild they live in pairs or flocks of 10 to 30 and eat a variety of fruits, nuts and seeds, flowers, leaves, and stems of plants. 

When adult macaws choose mates, they generally bond for life. The breeding begins around age of seven and breed once a year. They lay one or two eggs, which hatch after 29 days and are independent after six months.  They are extremely gentle. 

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Green-Winged MaCaw

Green-Winged Macaw

 Arachloroptera

Photographed at

Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida        Mar 2011

Bird Kingdom, Niagara Canada             Feb 2012

Green-winged Macaws are a full-sized macaw that is very colourful. The head, shoulders, and breast are a deep red. The wings next to the body are greenish turning bluer on the outside edge of the wing. It has very long tapering tail feathers.

 The Green wing differs in appearance from the similar Scarlet Macaw by the band of green feathers across its back. On the Scarlet, there will be a broad band of yellow feathers across the back.

In the wild Green-winged Macaws are usually seen in pairs, family groups of three, or small group of up to a dozen. They are rarely seen alone. They are a social bird and enjoy the company of their flock or of a mate as well. They are a very gentle bird that will get along with more than one person. But they are a typical macaw and can be cranky at times and may prefer only one person or only one gender.

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Camelot MaCaw

Camelot Macaw

Araararauna

Photographed in a local flee-market, 

Naples Florida      Mar 2007

A Camelot Macaw is a second-generation hybrid cross between a Scarlet & a Catalina Macaw. The Camelot Macaw is a popular multiple generation hybrid macaw that has been successfully bred for many years. They are the most common second-generation hybrid macaw that is seen today.

Camelot Macaws are not considered rare, unless they are yellow dominant. Novices often misleadingly refer to orange & green Camelot Macaws as "yellow," but they are not, even though that color combination can be quite striking. Camelot macaws come in a vast array of colors. It is incorrect to assume that they are all primarily yellow. Yellow dominant Camelot macaws are the exception, not the rule.

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Blue & Gold MaCaw

Blue and Gold Macaw

 (Araararauna)

Photographed at

Discovery Cove, Orlando, Florida   Mar 2011

Island of St Lucia    Apr 2012

Bird Kingdom, Niagara Canada     Dec 2012

The Blue Gold Macaw is large (approx. 33 inches from head to tail), with a head, back, and wings in a blue-green color, and frontal body plumage in yellow. The Blue and Gold has a whitish skin face mask.

They have the average lifespan of most macaws, which is anywhere between 30 to 50 years.

Blue and Gold macaws are the most popular choices for people to bring into their homes because of their beautiful and vibrant plumage, clear speech, and suggested loyalty. A lot of people would say that you couldn't go wrong with this bird.

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