Hobbies And Interests
Popular Large Macaws
The large macaw breeds enjoy brighter plumage and longer life spans than their smaller cousins. As the most popular of the large macaws, the blue-and-gold macaw is often considered the clown of its species, with a playful, outgoing personality and high intelligence and trainability. Another popular species, the scarlet macaw sports a rainbow of red, yellow, green and blue plumage. Not as outgoing as its blue-and-gold cousin, the scarlet prefers its immediate family but is intelligent and does well with people if socialized from a young age. A third popular species, the green-winged macaw, is one of the largest and gentlest of the species; it looks much like the scarlet, except it lacks the scarlet's strip of yellow plumage. Less vividly colored and one of the smallest of the large macaws, the military macaw measures about 24 to 27 inches (61 to 68.7 cm) long. Like the scarlet macaw, it has a reputation for being "nippy" but can make a good pet if socialized properly.
Popular Small Macaws
Small macaws, sometimes called mini-macaws, are primarily green and less than 20 inches (50.8 cm) long. Smallest of these are the noble and Hahn's macaws, measuring 12 to 14 inches (30.5 to 35.5 cm) long. Energetic birds, they talk clearly and handle more easily than their larger cousins; some consider them ideal pets for the relatively inexperienced bird owner. The yellow-collared macaw or yellow-naped macaw, so named for the fringe of yellow on the back of its neck, are affectionate, intelligent birds with some speaking ability. Compared to other species, the population of this bird is relatively stable in the wild. The severe macaw, considered playful and even clownish by some, speaks well and tends to bond to one person.
Hybrid Macaws
Macaws of mixed heritage enjoy unusual and brilliant plumage, but their temperaments are less easily predicted. However, a hybrid will usually bear a stronger resemblance to one parent or the other, and temperament often follows that tendency. Some examples of first-generation hybrids include the Bluffon's or Buffgold, which is a hybrid of blue-and-gold macaw and Buffon's macaw; a Catalina macaw, which is a mix of blue-and-gold and scarlet breeds; a shamrock macaw, a hybrid of scarlet and military macaws; and a harlequin macaw, which is a blend of blue-and-gold and green-winged varieties. Some second-generation hybrids include green-winged and Catalina-hybrid flame macaws; harligolds, which are a mix of harlequin and blue-and-gold macaws; and Tropicana, a blend of scarlet and harlequin macaws.
Endangered Species
Macaws live in rainforests, which are considered endangered habitats. This in itself constitutes a threat to the macaw, although some species also suffer from over-collection by bird sellers. Five macaw species are already extinct and nine others are considered endangered by the World Conservation Union. Endangered even back in 1810, the Spix's macaw is now extinct in the wild, although several live in protected captivity. The largest of the macaws, at a length of about 36 inches (91.4 cm), is the endangered hyacinth macaw, prized for its brilliant blue plumage as well as its size. Also endangered are the red-fronted macaw, the Lear macaw, the Buffon's macaw (which looks like a less brilliantly hued military macaw) and the blue-throated macaw, which lives in small numbers in eastern Bolivia. An endangered mini, the Illiger's (or blue-winged) macaw, speaks very little but proves itself a daredevil in flight. Also endangered is the blue-headed, or Coulon's, macaw.