Companion Bird CareS E R I E S

m a c a w sMacaws are some of the mostintelligent and beautifully colored

parrots. They are certainly thelargest companion bird species.

Although they are native to Mexicoand Central and South America,

most free-ranging species are consid-ered threatened or endangered, andefforts to protect these birds resultedin a ban on importation for pet pur-

poses in the United States. Highquality companion birds are avail-able from breeders. The most com-mon large macaws include the blueand gold, scarlet, green-winged andhyacinth. These birds are not suit-able as pets for the average familybecause they require extensive careand space and are extremely noisy. More suited to captivity are thosespecies known as the miniaturemacaws, including the severe,

Hahn’s, yellow-collared and noble.These smaller birds have more

acceptable vocalization levels and areless destructive; however, fewer ofthese are bred in captivity. As a

result, the current availability is lowand the genetic pool is limited.

Most Common Disordersof Macaws

Aggression

Reproductive disorders

Feather picking and feather cysts

Oral and cloacal papillomatosis

Mutilation syndrome

Chlamydiosis

Proventricular dilatation disease

Bacterial and viral infections

Drug sensitivities

Allergies

Sunken eye sinusitis

Toe deformities in young macaws

Acne (ingrown facial feathers)

Respiratory infections

Malcolored feathers

Some disorders in macaws are the result of malnutrition.Visiting your avian veterinarian for routine health checks willhelp prevent many diseases and support you in having a long,satisfying relationship with your macaw. For help in finding anavian veterinarian in your area, contact the Association ofAvian Veterinarians (AAV) by visiting www.AAV.org and click on “Find a local AAV Vet.”

Zoological Education Network provides educationalmaterials about exotic companion animals.

©2009 Zoological Education Network800-946-4782 561-641-6745 • www.exoticdvm.com

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acaws require a great deal of attention, living spaceand owner knowledge. Macaws are generally intelli-

gent, highly interactive parrots. Blue and gold macawshave a mischievous nature and are the most family-ori-ented macaw species, even though they may be nervous

around strangers. Although scarletmacaws tend to bond with an individualperson, they can be untrustworthy andnippy with anyone. Green-wingedmacaws are less intimidating and calmerbut can be very loud. Macaws have lim-ited ability to mimic words. Loud shrieksand squawks may become a problem.

Macaws are relatively difficult to breed (with the excep-tion of blue and golds), but the offspring are easy tohand raise. Macaws become aggressive and protective of their nest box during the breeding season.

Is Your Macaw a Male or a Female?In most macaw species it is difficult to distinguish amale from a female based on physical characteristics;therefore, endoscopy or laboratory methods must beused for sex determination in breeding facilities.

What Should You Feed Your Macaw? For a long, healthy life, macaws should be fed a highquality, toxin-free formulated diet, preferably certifiedorganic.* Supplementation may include a very smallamount of chopped organic vegetables and fruit(according to manufacturer’s recommendations) and certified organic Sunshine Factor.®*

What Do Macaws Do All Day?Macaws are playful and love to chew, but they can bevery destructive. They require frequent training andstructured play to focus their energies. Any toys mustbe free of toxic metals, hooks, sharp objects and easily

consumed components. Providing large diameter fresh-cut branches from non-toxic, pesticide-free trees issuggested for macaws. Check with your veterinarianfor recommendations on locally available safe trees.

Are Macaws Tame?Young, hand-raised macaws adapt readily to new sur-roundings and handling procedures. They should beexposed early in life to novel situations (car travel,hospital visits, multiple visitors in the household, otherhousehold pets) so that they are well adjusted to theseevents. However, behavior abnormalities are common.Imprinted hand-raised macaws may scream for atten-tion and frequently become feather pickers. Socialregurgitation to family members may be pronounced.Discipline, leadership, patience, a sense of ritual andthe offering of rewards are necessary to modify thebehavior of macaws.

How to Identify Your BirdOne method used to permanently identify your macawin case of loss or escape is for your avian veterinarianto inject a custom microchip under the skin. Althoughindividually numbered leg bands or rings may beapplied, this method is unreliable and may result inpotential damage to the bird.

Why the Wings Should Be ClippedMacaws that are allowed unrestricted access in thehome can encounter numerous physical dangers ortoxins (as well as cause significant destruction); there-fore, wing clipping is recommended. The goal of clip-ping the wings is not to make the bird incapable offlight, but to prevent it from developing rapid andsustained flight and to prevent escape. Trimming thewings may keep the bird more dependent on its ownerand less aggressive.

What to Expect from Your Macaw

✓ Give lots of attention.

✓ Feed a fresh, high quality, toxin-free formulated diet with daily supplementation ofsmall amounts of chopped, organic vegetables and fruit according to manufacturer’srecommendations.

✓ Grit is not necessary with modern captive bird diets.

✓ Provide clean, fresh uncontami-nated water.

✓ Replace food and water contain-ers twice daily to maximizeactivity in a healthy bird.

✓ Provide an occasional opportuni-ty for bath, shower or misting(at least weekly).*

✓ Avoid spraying house with insecticides.

Housing for your macaw should:

✓ be as large as possible.

✓ be clean, secure, safe and easy toservice.

✓ be constructed of durable, non-toxic material (avoid zinc).

✓ contain variable-sized perchesmade of clean, nontoxic, pesti-cide-free tree branches.

✓ have food and water containersplaced at opposite ends of theenclosure.

✓ avoid having perches locateddirectly over food containers.

✓ offer occasional opportunity forprotected outdoor exposure tofresh air, sunlight (not throughglass) and exercise.

Macaws are very curious and willinvestigate anything new in theirenvironment. That is why it isimportant to prevent their access to:

✗ ceiling fans

✗ hot cooking oil

✗ overheated non-stick coated items

✗ leg chains

✗ sandpaper-covered perches

✗ tobacco and cigarette smoke

✗ chocolate, avocado, salt, alcohol

✗ toxic houseplants

✗ pesticides

✗ toxic fumes

✗ easily dismantled toys

✗ dogs, cats and young children

✗ cedar, redwood and pressure-treated wood shavings

✗ sources of lead or zinc

✗ plug-in air fresheners

✗ scented candles

How to Keep YourMacaw Healthy,Happy and Safe!

Cover photography by Don PreislerInside photography by Miriam B. Walling/We Shoot Birds

VV ital StatisticsBody length: 12-39 inches (30-99 cm)Body weight: 200-1500 gAge of sexual maturity: mini 4-6 years

large 5-7 yearsAverage life span: 50 years

Clear, bright eyes(no discharge)

Dry, opennares

Smooth beak

Even, reptilian patternon the feet, and nails of

appropriate length

Alert, erect posture

Body free oflumps and bumps

What Your Veterinarian Looks for in aHealthy Macaw

Smooth, brightfeathers without colorbreaks, transparency

or ragged edges

* www.HarrisonsPetProducts.com

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