How to Live with Your Mini Macaw
In the pet trade, the term mini macaw can be used to suggest that the species in question is better suited as a companion parrot for owners with less space in their homes than would be required by one of the larger macaw species, and that mini macaws may be easier to train than larger macaws. However, most mini macaws (aside from the red-shouldered macaw, which is parakeet-sized) are still fairly large parrots and only “mini” in comparison to their larger relatives.
Mini macaws tend to bond to one person but can be trained to enjoy multiple people if they are socialized from a young age. These birds are loud, and they will scream during the day — when they are happy, when they are frustrated or when they want attention. They tend to be needy.
Mini macaws have an average lifespan of 20-40 years, although some individuals live up to 50 years with optimal care, diet and veterinary attention.
What to Know About Your Mini Macaw
Mimi-macaws are increasing in popularity due to their moderate size, impish and precocious personalities, moderate prices, hardiness, and readiness to breed in captivity. For the most part mini macaws will have the same personality traits as the big macaws, just in a smaller body.
In aviculture the following species are considered mini macaws:
- Hahn’s or red-shouldered macaw – This is the smallest species (approximately 12 inches long) and may be suitable for first time mini macaw owners in smaller homes. However, they are dominant, demanding, pushy little birds and can become nippy, so this might not be the best choice for a family with young children.
- Noble macaw – This species is slightly larger than the Hahn’s macaw but is also a subspecies of the red-shouldered macaw. It differs from the Hahn’s in the color of the upper beak, which is bone-colored in the Noble and black in the Hahn’s.
- Severe or chestnut-fronted macaw – This species is commonly recommended as one of the first macaws due to availability, moderate size and manageable temperament. Although they have a tendency to become aggressive at puberty, they may bond with their owners and have a propensity for speech. Severes may be considered the loudest of the mini macaws and are the largest at 18 inches.
- Yellow-collared macaw – Also known as golden-collared macaw, this species is affectionate, intelligent and resourceful (they frequently escape from their enclosure). They are around 15 inches long and can live for 50 years. They have some speaking ability, but their normal noise level would not be appreciated in an apartment building.
- Illiger or blue-winged macaw – This species ranges from 15-17 inches from their beak to the end of the tail. They socialize well, get along with other birds easily, and enjoy the company of the flock or a mate. They would probably be happier kept as a pair. They enjoy being with people and can be quite playful. Because they are smart, they respond well to training.
- Two other mini macaw species, the red-bellied and blue-headed, are typically found only in captivity in a zoo setting or as part of a breeding program and are rarely kept as pets.
Is Your Mini Macaw a Boy or Girl?
Because mini macaws tend to be monomorphic (little if any difference visually between genders), owners and breeders must rely on alternative methods to confirm if a bird is male or female. DNA testing is the most common and safest method. It requires sending a few plucked feathers, an eggshell, or a small blood sample to a lab. For surgical sexing, an avian veterinarian uses an endoscope to visually check the bird’s internal reproductive organs. This is rarely done now due to the ease of DNA tests.
How to Keep Your Mini Macaw Happy
Mini macaws need a safe enclosure that is at least 30 x 30 x 40 inches, but bigger is better. Because of their intelligence, they need environmental stimulation in the way of toys and activities, and they prefer to be in the center of the home with family activities around them.
