How to Tame a Blue Macaw and Red Macaw

Macaws typically choose a life partner and spend much of their time together, sharing food and grooming each other, as well as taking care of their young. Unfortunately, these magnificent bird species are on the verge of extinction.

The poaching of this beautiful bird species human-caused destruction of habitats and the trade in cage birds are all threats.

Great Green Macaw

The magnificent green Macaw (Ara-ambiguus) is among the largest parrots found in Central America. It is also among the most striking and colorful birds that live in the rainforest canopy. Its green plumage is accented by the red on its forehead, blue on its lower back, and tail feathers. The long pointed wings and tail let it effortlessly move through the forest canopy. The beak is huge and strong, designed for breaking open seeds and nuts. The great green Macaw is a predator and, as such is a key player in sustaining healthy ecosystems of the rainforest. Seed dispersal helps tree species such as the maiz biological tree Dipteryx Oleifera to flourish as well as providing food for other animal species.

The magnificent birds are usually found in pairs or small groups, and spend most of their time in the canopy of the forest looking for fruits, nuts and seeds. Nests are usually found in hollow tree cavities which are lined with grass or branches. Females will lay between two and three eggs that will incubate over 26-28 days. When the chicks hatch, the male helps to feed them.

Captive great-green macaws are excellent companion pets. They are intelligent, playful birds. It is important to keep in mind that these birds require plenty of space, patience and attention to thrive. They are susceptible to biting and could cause damage if they are bored. They are also susceptible to certain health issues, such as proventricular dilatation and macaw-related wasting disease.


The great green macaw is in decline as are many other species in the tropical zone. Their habitat is destroyed by mining and logging, cattle ranching and agriculture. The illegal trade in wildlife and hunting for food is also affecting their numbers.

The only way to ensure their survival is to secure their habitat. By creating corridors between protected zones, the animals will be able move freely and gain access to a variety of food sources. Ultimately, preserving the natural habitat of these beautiful birds will help to protect other endangered species that live in their habitats like the Scarlet Macaw and Yellow-naped Amazon.

Blue and Gold Macaw

This gorgeous bird is among the most popular parrots kept in captivity worldwide. It is smart and a very affectionate animal. It requires a lot of interaction and education, but can be a great pet if it is properly trained. Macaws can be aggressive if not properly trained or provided with clear boundaries. This is why it is important to work with a professional trainer who is aware of how to handle large birds and can teach them tricks. Dave and Jamieleigh from BirdTricks have put together a wonderful video showing how to hand manage the Blue and Gold Macaw. They share some tricks, tips and techniques that can help anyone train their macaws to be friendly and enjoyable to play with. Watch their video HERE.

A parrot in the family, blue and gold macaws are neotropical birds native to forest (especially in areas of varzea) and woodland and savannah habitats of tropical Central America and South America as and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. They have mostly blue dorsum and tail feathers with accents of gold or yellow and gradient hues of green on the head. The wing coverts and wings are blue with green highlights. Their feet are zygodactyl, with two toes facing forward and two facing backwards. This adaptation allows them to grasp branches easily.

They are monogamous and pair for life and remain together during breeding season. They excavate tree cavities with their powerful beaks to build nests. They typically lay two to three eggs and incubate them for a period of 25 days. Once they hatch, both parents feed the altricial chicks by regurgitation until they can manage on their own.

Like all macaws, they're intelligent birds that convey a wide range of emotions through a variety of vocalizations. They also exhibit a range of courtship behavior, such as cocking their heads and flirting by raising their wings and blushing. They can also show their emotions by prancing, bouncing and bouncing their wings.

They are also playful, and they love to chew on toys. Therefore, it is recommended that owners offer an assortment of sturdy safe bird-friendly toys that can endure the strength of their jaw muscles. This will keep their teeth healthy and stop them from developing excessive plaque and tartar.

Red-shouldered Macaw

It is often referred to as Hahn's Macaw, this small bird is among the most intelligent macaw species available. It is a great speaker and is able to master a variety of tricks. It is also calmer than other macaws. This makes it a good option for those who are concerned about being a noisy bird. It may be small and nippy, but usually grows out of it and can be extremely playful as a mature parrot.

This bird is native to savannahs swamplands, and tropical lowland habitats across Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, and South-eastern Peru. Its vibrant green coloring is perfect for camouflaging in the vegetation. It lays between two and five eggs which are incubated for 24 days. After about two months the chicks are ready to fledge. The species is typically married for life and is often in pairs.

In its natural habitat, it mainly hunts for berries and flowers and fruits, nuts, seeds and leaves. The birds are also known to devour bugs. They also gather on clay cliffs which are believed to help eliminate any toxins they might have picked up from their usual food sources.

Hahn's Macaws are susceptible to self-mutilation, feather plucking, and nutritional disorders. They are also prone to proventricular dilatation and overgrown beaks. A balanced diet, regular veterinary checks, and proper cage maintenance can avoid these problems.

In the wild, this bird is very social and can live for up to 50 years. Lolita blue & gold macaw isn't usually available in pet shops with large sizes but it can be found in avian-specialty stores and from bird breeders. It is intelligent, but can be difficult to train for a novice. It is a great talker and can be taught to whistle, clap, and dance.

Hahn's Macaws can be extremely loud and are not recommended for apartments living. They require a huge cage with plenty of perches as well as food bowls. They should also be able to run regularly outside of the cage. They are also very robust chewers and require a sturdy cage that is well-secured.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

The Blue-and Yellow Macaw is a beautiful, large tropical parrot. Like other Macaws, is monogamous and pairs for life. It also has a strong tendency to mimic and can make it a great companion bird.

This species is native to South America, and can be found in a variety of habitats. Cloud forests, savannas, and rainforests are all possible habitats. IUCN has declared the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw endangered and conservation efforts have been launched to protect this beautiful bird.

These birds reach breeding age when they are 3 to 4 years old. It is believed that they are a pair for life and will remain together until one of them dies. The Blue-and-yellow macaw usually lays two to three eggs in a single nest. The female is the one who incubates eggs, while the male aggressively defends the nest. Once the chicks hatch they become altricial, meaning they have to rely on their parents for food until they become able to feather themselves and begin feeding themselves.

In the wild, Macaws are social birds and will spend their time in groups of other parrots and Macaws. They are intelligent and learn many sounds. The Blue-and-Yellow is a master flyer. It is often seen performing impressive aerial maneuvers and flying through the forest canopy.

The Blue-and Yellow Macaw is a stunning and charming creature. This is a wonderful choice for anyone who wants an animal that will provide entertainment and companionship.

This bird is stunning, large, tropical parrot that is native to South America. It is a monogamous bird that is a lifelong mate and has a strong tendency towards mimicry. It also has an attraction to humans and can master many different words and phrases.

When the Blue-and Yellow Macaw is between 3 and 4 years old, it will reach the age of breeding. Blue-and-yellow Macaws pair up for life and live in small groups. The Blue-and Yellow are found in a variety of habitats like cloud forests and savannas. The Blue-and-yellow is a nester in tree cavities which they excavat with their powerful beaks. The female will lay between 2 and 3 eggs and incubate the clutch for approximately 1 month.