Intelligent and sociable, the blue and gold macaw grows to be quite large, measuring nearly three feet from the beak to the tip of the tail. Because these birds demand more time and attention than other species, Hyacinth macaws are definitely not the right pets for new bird owners. 145 Responses. Do you want to get a macaw? Most macaws are large and need a lot of social interaction. One of the most prized pet birds, there are 17 different types of macaws, each with its own unique needs and quirks. You can also get away with a smaller cage than a macaw, which could save money. These little guys are the smallest of the macaws and are very easygoing. Only an experienced owner with a thorough understanding of macaw behavior should consider a hybrid. Only testing can say for certain whether your pet macaw parrot is a male or female. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest-Based AdsChewy Careers, Bringing a Puppy Home? DNA testing only requires one of the following; a drop of blood, the shell of the egg the bird hatched from, or a few small feathers plucked from the bird’s chest. 3. Caitlin UltimoJanuary 1, 2013Health / Wellness. A macaw needs a cage tall enough to prevent its tail feathers from hitting the cage bottom, which can cause the tail feathers to bend or break. Is my macaw parrot male or female? Hyacinth macaws are the largest type of macaw and arguably the hardest to care for. You can also get away with a smaller cage than a macaw, which could save money. Is there a way to tell if my green-winged macaw is a male or female without a DNA test? By using The Spruce Pets, you accept our, Catalina Macaw (Rainbow Macaw): Bird Species Profile, Yellow-Collared Macaw: Bird Species Profile, Severe (Chestnut-Fronted) Macaw: Bird Species Profile, Illiger's Macaw (Blue-Winged Macaw): Bird Species Profile, Hahn's Macaw (Red-Shouldered Macaw): Bird Species Profile, Green-Wing Macaw (Red and Green Macaw): Bird Species Profile, How to Care for Hyacinth Macaws (Blue Parrots). Are you Stupid, Dumb or Smart? ... 19, Female Gold Coast, Queensland, AU Send Friend Request. DNA testing is the least invasive of all the methods to determine the sex of a macaw. Similar Quizzes. If you get a female, you would have to have a male to lay eggs, well fertile eggs. These striking birds have long tails that extend roughly 2 feet out and are comprised of … An adult macaw is able to maintain its tail well with a daily shower. However, the advantage of this procedure is that the veterinarian can immediately identify sexual defects and many other health issues. There is no reliable way to determine if your macaw is male or female by external physical examination. DNA testing is the least invasive of all the methods to determine the sex of a macaw. Although these charming, personable birds are understandably popular as pets, demand has threatened their numbers in the wild. It is a safe procedure when performed by a capable avian veterinarian. Many macaws are illegally trapped in their native rainforest homes and sold. Hahn's macaws can become good talkers with practice. Chromosomal testing requires a large blood feather pulled from the wing or tail of the bird. Here are a few of the different types of macaw, and what makes each one a little different. The other methods are chromosomal testing and surgical sexing. African greys, to most people, are just the perfect size. While they do exhibit many typical macaw behaviors such as screaming, they are a good choice for the bird lover that wants a macaw but isn't quite ready to take on a large bird. Browse through available female macaws for sale by aviaries, breeders and bird rescues. If you're considering this bird as a pet (or any macaw, for that matter), don't expect to leave it for long stretches of time. The tail is short and red, which doesn't pose as a problem. This is not a pet for a novice bird owner; it rivals a cat or a dog in its social needs. Scarlet macaws get bored quite easily, so they should be provided with plenty of toys to play with, in addition to near-constant attention from their owners. They're also known to \"chew\" with their beaks when held in captivity. They're also known to "chew" with their beaks when held in captivity. But like other macaws, these birds will require a lot of energy from their human owners. These birds are intelligent, but they need daily socialization and stimulation so that they stay tame. This mate may be a member of the opposite sex, another female bird, or even a bird of a different species. Is my macaw parrot male or female? Bird and Parrot classifieds. However, that took time. But males talk more and are more active. This bird needs a lot of social interaction. When hand fed as babies and raised in loving attentive homes, these intelligent parrots will bond strongly with their owners and will quickly respond to positive training techniques. They're also very loud birds, and their vocalization includes flock calls that sound like screaming. What You Need to Know Before Getting Cozy. Large, beautiful, and intelligent, they can be quite alluring but are suitable only for pet owners with the right amounts of patience and devotion. Bigger pet bird cages will allow for more exercise and, consequently, a healthier macaw. Their bodies are literally bathed in gold and blue, hence they are given their name the Blue and Gold Macaw. Because these birds are of mixed heritage, they possess the combined personality traits of the species that were crossed to produce them. With macaws the sex doesn't really matter as far as temperament goes. Yellow-collared macaws are clever and tend to be escape artists, so it's important to provide a cage that is safe and secure. 4. Should I get a macaw. It is often difficult to tell if a bird is male or female while looking at it since some pet birds do not have any external differing characteristics and the species will be the same size, color and shape no matter which sex they are. Also, a macaw's tail is significantly larger, measuring up to 18 inches! They'll need attention and time to bond with their owners but will thrive in a supportive environment. Military macaws are curious birds, and they enjoy playing and interacting with their human "flock.". Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. Bigger pet bird cages will allow for more exercise and, consequently, a healthier macaw. The greenwing macaw has a very sweet disposition, and respond well to training. Alyson is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience working professionally with birds, and over 3 years as a veterinary technician. Surgical sexing is an invasive procedure that requires anesthesia. Illiger's macaws require a lot of mental stimulation, and they like to stay busy. Don't plan on keeping one as a pet if you live in an apartment or small living space, it probably won't work.