The Kinds of Macaws
Macaws are affectionate, intelligent and trainable birds, making them popular companions. There's a wide variety of macaw species, and while some are more common than others, most are available through specialized breeders. While species differ in color, size and temperament, all macaws requires a lot of time and attention.
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Blue and Gold Macaw
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A blue and gold macaw has the tiniest bit of green on the front of its head. Blue and gold macaws are one of the most common macaws, easily recognized by their striking blue and gold plumage. They're usually about 33 inches in length and between 36 and 45 oz. in weight. Blue and golds make nice companions; they serve as a happy medium between other macaw species in both size and temperament.
Scarlet Macaw
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Scarlet macaws make wonderful companions with proper handling. Scarlet macaws are another macaw commonly kept as companions, easily distinguished by their brilliant red, yellow and blue plumage. They can be more temperamental than most other macaws and require an owner who is experienced with handling and training macaws. They're usually about 33 inches in length and between 37 and 39 oz. in weight.
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Green-Winged Macaw
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Green-winged macaws can be distinguished by the green plumage on their wings. Green-winged macaws are the most common macaw in the wild and are one of the macaws known as "gentle giants" due to their docile nature, making them very popular companions. Because of their red plumage and stocky build, they're easily confused with the scarlet macaw. At about 35 inches in length and between 37 and 46 oz. in weight, they're the second-largest macaw species.
Hyacinth Macaw
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It is not uncommon to pay upwards of $10,000 for one of these beautiful birds. Hyacinth macaws are the largest macaw (and largest parrot) at up to 39 inches in length and 50 oz. in weight. Hyacinths are another macaw know for being "gentle giants" because of their sweet temperaments. But while they make great companions, they're quite expensive, requiring welded stainless steel cages to withstand the strength of their beaks and a special diet high in fats. Their diet must include macadamia nuts and palm nuts, as well as other nuts, fruits and vegetables.
Other Large Macaws
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It's not uncommon for different kinds of macaws to get along. In addition to the kinds of macaws previously mentioned, there are seven other types of large macaws. The Buffon's macaw, military macaw, red-fronted macaw and blue-fronted macaw are more rare than the others, but are becoming more readily available. The glaucous macaw, Lear's macaw and Spix's macaw are critically endangered or extinct in the wild, and only breeding stock is kept in captivity.
Mini Macaws
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Mini macaws are usually less than 20 inches in length, and are popular companions because they're easier to care for and are less intimidating than large macaws. They're usually better talkers, too. The four most common types of mini macaws are the Hahn's macaw, Illiger's macaw, severe macaw and yellow-collared macaw. The other two types of mini macaws, the blue-headed macaw and the red-bellied macaw, are hard to breed and care for in captivity.
Hybrid Macaws
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Hybrid macaws are bred for their color, and are the result of bonding and breeding two different types of macaws. The resulting offspring are called the first generation. When a first generation hybrid is crossed with a different first generation hybrid or one of the pure species of macaws, the resulting offspring are called the second generation. Hybrid macaws do occur in the wild, but are rare. The kinds of hybrid macaws bred in captivity are numerous, with more varieties being produced all the time. Two of the most common hybrids are the Catalina macaw, a cross between a blue and gold and a scarlet, and the harlequin macaw, a cross between a blue and gold and a green-winged.
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