Mini Macaw FAQ

The Mini Macaw FAQ

by Tom & Winnie Lind
lind@ll.mit.edu


You want a Macaw. You've spent some time looking at the various types and you've read as much as you could gather on their traits and habits. You like what you've heard and seen. But, sadly, you don't have the room or the money to afford one yet, and the possible noise level has you a little concerned.

Don't give up - have you looked into the Mini Macaws! Mini Macaws raised as hand-fed babies share the inquisitiveness and intelligence of the larger Macaws, and, can be great comics and better talkers. These birds can entertain themselves within consistent boundaries, but also thrive on happy, playful interaction with their human flocks. These birds are sometimes passed by because they are not big or brightly colored, but their personalities are as big and bright as their larger cousins. Often, at bird shows, you will see a crowd gathered in front of a Mini Macaw's cage enjoying both their antics and conversation. Any "Mini" owner will be delighted to tell you story after story about these wonderful birdies.


Mini Macaws most available as pets are:
Ara auricollis Yellow-collared 14-15" long
General plumage green; forehead, crown and lower cheeks brownish-black; yellow collar encircling hind neck; primaries and primary-coverts blue; upper side of tail blue becoming brownish-red towards base; naked facial area creamy-white; bill gray-black becoming horn colored at tip; iris orange; legs pale yellow. Cost:$400-900*

Ara severa Severe 18-19" long
General plumage green; crown washed with blue; forehead, chin and margin of cheeks bordering bare facial area chestnut brown; outer webs of primaries and primary-coverts blue; bend of wing, carpal edge, and lesser under wing-coverts red; upper side of tail blue becoming brownish-red towards base; naked facial area creamy-white traversed by lines of minute black feathers; bill gray-black; iris yellow; legs gray. Cost:$450-1100*

Diopsittica nobilis Red-shouldered
These birds are most commonly listed under the genus Ara, but some lists show them under the newer classification, Diopsittica.

Ara nobilis nobilis Hahn's 11-12" long
General plumage green, more yellowish on lower under parts; forehead and fore crown blue; carpal edge, bend of wing, and greater under wing-coverts red; under side of tail and flight feathers dull olive-yellow; naked facial area white; bill dark gray; iris dark orange; legs dark gray. Cost:$300-$800*

Ara nobilis cumanensis Noble 12-13"long
General plumage green, more yellowish on lower under parts; forehead and fore crown blue; carpal edge, bend of wing, and greater under wing-coverts red; under side of tail and flight feathers dull olive-yellow; naked facial area white; bill - upper mandible horn-colored, lower mandible gray; iris dark orange; legs dark gray. Cost:$300-$800*

Other Mini Macaws:

*Costs:
These highs and lows reflect the difference between breeder (wholesale) and pet/bird store (retail) prices, and to some extent price variations in different parts of the country. Breeder birds and breeding pairs are often cheaper, but aren't suitable as companion birds.

Vocalization:
While the smaller Macaws may not be as loud as the large Macaws, they can have their noisy moments which is normal. Hand-fed birds raised with consistent care and attention are usually not noisy nuisances. Sometimes it seems that the smaller the Macaw the better it will talk! That, of course, is a generalization but these Minis are able to learn many words and phrases.

Activities:
Mini Macaws are very active and, like their larger cousins, curious and intelligent. They enjoy hanging, swinging, and climbing and a swing or rope will be well used. Toys can be as simple as paper rolls cut into short sections, plastic film cans, or pieces of appropriate wood or leather for chewing. There are also many readily available parrot toys appropriate for minis. Most love bathing and enjoy going into the shower with their humans. If you don't bath them they will often use their water bowl! They can be potty trained with a little consistent effort. Mini Macaws have to be watched when they are near other companion birds as they can exhibit some jealously. Owners and prospective owners of Mini Macaws can benefit from a book like "Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot." It can help you through the "terrible-twos" and assist you in forming good habits as you develop a relationship with your "Mini."

Cages:
The smallest size these active birds should be housed in is 20" X 20" X 30" (That would be for the Red-shouldered). As always, the bigger the better but a bar spacing of 7/8"-1" is safest. Remember the "no smaller than 1.5x the wingspan" rule.

Foods:
Hand-raised Minis do very well on a pellet based diet supplemented with almost everything, including but not limited to, fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, whole wheat cereal or toast, beans, some chicken. The only foods to avoid are the ones that are harmful to birds in general. Fresh water should be available at all times.

Finding a Breeder:
Check Bird Talk magazine. And your local bird club. Most will ship and guarantee health. The only disadvantage to a really distant breeder is that you can't go pick out the one you want. It is worth mentioning that having the bird pick you is often well worth the extra wait or expense.


Publications: 

The Complete Book of Macaws           The Handbook of Macaws
by Rosemary Low                       by Dr. A E Decoteau
                                      ISBN 0-86622-097-6

Macaws                                Taming and Training Macaws
by Loren Spiotta                      by Risa Teitler
ISBN 0-87666-975-5                    ISBN 0-87666-778-4

The World of Macaws
by Dieter Hoppe
ISBN 0-86622-125-5
last revision 04/10/95
Thanks to Tom & Winnie Lind for their permission of allow their FAQ to be posted here. Also thanks to Kathryn Smith and all the folks at Up At Six Avairy for maintaining to FAQs.