Blue and Gold Macaws
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Species Overview
COMMON NAMES: Blue and gold macaw, blue and yellow macaw
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ara ararauna
ADULT SIZE: 33 inches from beak to tail feathers, wingspan can reach 40 inches or more, and they typically weigh over 2 pounds
LIFE EXPECTANCY: Can live 60 or more years, although most live about 30 years; some blue and golds have lived up to 100 or more.
Temperament
Their sociability and even, sweet disposition makes blue and gold macaws a great pet. Their intelligence, willingness to learn, and talking ability are a plus.
When allowed to socialize with a variety of people, blue and golds do very well adapt to different people and other birds. The blue and gold is a fantastic bird for tricks. They’re a popular headliner at bird shows, and many owners may even take them out around town with the help of bird leashes and car seats.
Around the house, these macaws may act like friendly dogs. They enjoy being near their owners and seek out attention. They are also content on their perch, watching the activity around them.
Blue and gold macaws are capable of ear-shattering calls, which are usually not appreciated by close neighbors. They are not the best choice for those who live in apartments and condominiums or have children who are startled by noise.
This bird is a great talker; it can learn quickly and aims to please. Training is relatively simple as long as you are consistent. They can learn a vocabulary of around 20 words and phrases. Given the clarity of their voice, many people consider them one of the best talking parrots.
Caring for a Blue and Gold Macaw
Like most macaws, the blue and gold thrives on attention from its owner and will form a strong bond with its family members. Take time to socialize these birds properly and to provide them with adequate mental stimulation; otherwise, they might resort to screaming out of boredom.
Some owners even have a dedicated, bird-safe room. Since these birds gnaw on almost anything, remove electrical wires, jewelry, and wooden furniture.
Another consideration before you commit to getting this bird is the cost of ownership. In addition to the cost of the bird, think about the avian veterinarian bills, high-quality feed, and the accessory costs for a cage, play stand, and toys.
Macaws have a long life span, but, like all parrots, they are prone to a viral infection called macaw wasting syndrome and overgrown beaks.
Like other parrots, blue and golds may resort to self-mutilation by feather plucking if they feel neglected or bored.
A well-balanced diet and adequate exercise are necessary to maintain pet bird health. This bird is prone to developing nutritional disorders like obesity, fatty liver disease, and fatty tumors.
Diet and Nutrition
In the wild, most macaws, including blue-and-gold macaws, eat a variety of seeds, plant material, fruits, and nuts. Captive blue and gold macaws should get a varied diet consisting of many different types of fresh fruits and vegetables possible. The bird should also get a high-quality pelleted diet with some healthy seeds, such as flax, hemp, and chia. Avoid many nut treats; these are high in fat.
Each macaw, depending on its size, will eat about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of parrot mix and about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of fruit and vegetables every day. You can feed it once in the morning upon waking and at dusk before it goes to sleep. Remove all uneaten food before bedtime.
Fruits that are good to feed to macaws include apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, mangos, papayas, and berries. Healthy vegetables include carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and leafy greens. Never feed avocado, chocolate, or rhubarb; these foods are toxic to birds. As an occasional training treat, offer nuts like macadamias, walnuts, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts.
Blue and gold macaws are active birds. They love to climb, swing, bounce, and chew. Owners should provide a minimum of 2 to 3 hours of playtime outside of the cage each day so that the bird can stretch and exercise its muscles.
These birds have powerful jaw muscles. Chewing and gnawing are necessary to keep their jaws healthy and in shape.1 Durable toys are a must, as the blue and gold’s beak is known to be destructive. Provide bird-safe chewable toys made of leather and have extras on hand as they get destroyed.
Exploratory toys with nooks and crannies provide mental enrichment. The bird uses its big beak to investigate items. A bird gets satisfaction upon breaking things open or pulling them apart.
Blue and Gold Macaws Archives – TPFS (talkingparrotsforsale.net)