Macaw Parrots

Macaw parrots are the colorful and captivating type of birds. Near about 18 species of macaws are recognized. These parrots are well known for having largest numbers of species. Macaw parrots are very playful by nature and counted among the most interesting bird. Macaw parrots are the great combination of intelligence and beauty. Loving characteristics and loyal personality makes them a great selection as the pet bird. It’s a large sized bird and lives mainly for 25 to 80 years.

Due to their critics, many people don’t like to keep a pet macaw parrot because it’s more noisy, demanding and destructive. Many people dislike macaw parrots because they screech loudly. It is also said that these parrots are expensive. It is important to arrange enough information before keeping a macaw parrot as pet. Among all the species of macaw parrots, blue and gold macaw parrots are most popular and available in a large number.

Macaw is an intelligent type of parrot and known as an excellent talker. Macaw has a great capability for speech. If you are willing to have a pet macaw parrot then you should be sure that you can fulfill the demand of the bird and can spend enough time for his care. Macaw parrot have a changing temperament and feels aggressive, if not treated properly. Thus macaw parrots are talking birds that are very moody and highly expensive to afford.

Feeding Macaw

Macaws eat nuts, seeds, fruit, and sometimes insects. Macaws are a very high energy bird and for good health they will need plenty of good foods rich in oils and calories. In the wild the larger Macaws eat a variety of palm nuts while the smaller Macaws eat seeds, nuts and fruit. Foods available for Macaws include formulated diets, either pelleted or extruded, seed only diets, and parrot mixes which offer a mixture of both. There are pros and cons to feeding only a formulated diet as well as feeding only a seed diet. A formulated diet provides a good nutritional base so does not require the addition of vitamins, however it does not contain the phytonutrients (antioxidant pigments) that are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds. Phytonutrients are believed to boost the immune system, help a body to heal itself, and to prevent some diseases. Also parrots can become bored with it due to the lack of variety. A seed only diet offers much more variety but requires additional vitamin and calcium supplements. Macaws need not only nutritional requirements met but also variety for psychological enrichment.

A Macaw diet consisting of a good parrot mix which includes formulated foods, a variety of seeds, dried fruits, and nuts is generally regarded as a suitable base to provide nutrition and variety. Along with this, provide a daily supplement of fresh fruits and vegetable. Each macaw, depending on its size, will eat about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of parrot mix and about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of fruit and vegetables. All types of fruits such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, mangos, papayas, and even berries such as strawberries and blueberries are enjoyed. Many vegetables including carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, dark green leafy veggies, many garden vegetables, and even dandelions and chickweed are good. Do not feed avocado as it may be toxic to birds! Offer nuts for treats, such as macadamias, walnuts, pecans, almonds, and filberts. Additional proteins can be offered such as sprouted legumes and cooked chicken or meat. Grit is not considered essential as macaws will shell their seed before eating it.They also gnaw and chew on various objects. They show a large amount of intelligence in their behaviour and require constant intellectual stimulation to satisfy their innate curiosity. They often learn tricks easily.

Taking care

The personal hygiene of your Macaw includes a regular bath or shower for good plumage and skin condition. One way to accomplish this is with either a hand held shower sprayer or a hose with a fine spray head and lukewarm water. The wings should be kept trim if you want to discourage flight and to prevent the loss of your pet through an open window or door. Clip most of the primaries (10 feathers closest to the wing tip) and only enough so the bird can glide to the floor. The beak needs to be trimmed if it becomes overgrown or deformed. There are many mineral blocks, lava blocks, and other beak grooming items available at your pet store to help your bird keep its beak in shape. A variety of concrete type perches are also available to help the keep nails trim, but they should be trimmed if they become overgrown.