Blue and Gold Macaw
Characteristics
Length: 90 cm (about 35 1/2 inches). Upperparts turquoise-blue; lower parts goldish-yellow. Forehead and crown greenish-blue. Bluish-yellow undertail coverts. Black collar beneath the face. Naked, white cheeks, bordered with some lines of small black feathers. Eyes yellow, beak and legs black. The female is smaller. Very affectionate and highly intelligent birds that can learn to imitate and talk exceptionally well. Many young are reared in captivity, although it sometimes takes years before a pair begins to raise a family.
Social Behavior
Prefers to be kept in pairs or colonies. Can learn to talk very well.
Diet
All parakeets and parrots, including macaws, need a large variety of fresh, healthy foods, whether on a pellet or a seed diet. Beneficial foods include dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, dandelions, and chard, as well as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. Healthy table foods like cooked eggs, corn, beans, pasta, and rice can also be offered. Remove perishable foods after a few hours and at bedtime. Grit, gravel, and oyster shells should never be given. A seed-only diet will result in malnutrition. Eventually, a macaw should become acclimated to a diet containing specially formulated pellets. An AVIAN vet can help with more information.
Cleaning
Tray liners should be replaced every day and the cage bottom, fittings and dishes regularly washed with hot water and soap. Once a month, disinfect the cage with diluted bleach and rinse thoroughly. Line the tray with black and white newspaper or paper towels. It is unsafe to use pine/cedar shavings, corn cob or walnut bedding.
Fertility
May be years before a pair begins to raise a family. Provide all pairs with nest boxes year round; they like to use these for roosting. During the breeding season the birds may become extremely protective and therefore aggressive towards their owner. The female lays 2-3 eggs which are incubated for 25-28 days. The young leave the nest after they are about 3 months old. Nest boxes should be 55 x 55 x 85 cm with a 17 cm diameter entrance. Use thick board (4cm).
Health
All parakeets and parrots, including macaws, should be examined by a qualified AVIAN vet at least once a year or ASAP if any bleeding, injuries, or other signs are noted. It can be hard to tell when a bird is ill, and by the time you notice a problem, the sickness is usually well-advanced. Delaying a visit with an AVIAN vet or using over-the-counter or human medicines may be fatal.
Warnings
All parrakeets and parrots, including macaws, have very sensitive respiratory systems and should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, aerosols, harsh cleaning products, or other toxic fumes.
