How to Live with a Macaw
Macaws are beautiful, intelligent, and inquisitive, but they are also challenging as pets due to their need for large living spaces and experienced owners. Of the large macaws, blue-and-gold macaws are the most popular because of their pet-friendly traits; green-winged macaws are calm, while scarlet macaws may be a little more feisty. Smaller species, such as Hahn’s or noble macaws, are more manageable. Most free-ranging species are considered threatened or endangered.
What to Know About Your Macaw
Macaws have a limited ability to mimic words, but their extremely piercing vocalizations may be objectionable—not just to family members, but also to neighbors.
Behavioral problems are common, primarily due to boredom, and require frequent, consistent training and socialization. Macaws also tend to become more aggressive during breeding season.
Is My Macaw a Boy or Girl?
Because the genders are difficult to distinguish by physical characteristics alone, endoscopy or laboratory testing is needed to determine the sex of your macaw.
How to Keep Your Macaw Happy and Healthy
Macaws thrive with lots of attention and opportunities to combat boredom, plus room to move around in a large enclosure.
Common health issues in macaws include:
- Obesity
- Feather abnormalities
- Behavioral problems
- Allergies
- Reproductive disorders