Hyacinth Macaw
Characteristics
Length: 100 cm (about 39 1/2 inches). The largest living parrot. Deep blue. Naked periophthalmic ring is golden-yellow. Small, naked yellow area along the base of the lower mandible. The hen is usually smaller in size. They are not shy. An exceptionally strong, they have approximately 300 pounds of biting pressure per square inch. Perches must be replaced on a regular basis. This bird is rare and therefore very expensive. A protected species
Social Behavior
Prefers to be kept in pairs or colonies. Can learn to talk.
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
Bred in captivity for the first ime in Czechoslovakia, the pair used an old wooden nest box (150 x 150 x 180 cm). Breeding pairs will require a large and very well built aviary.
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.
