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Board index » Species Discussion Forums » Mystical Macaws » Macaw General Personality and Help

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Macaws Profile

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Macaws Profile

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HelloBaby
 Post subject: Macaws Profile
 New post Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 12:18 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:08 pm
Posts: 2632
I am a: Female
How many birds do you have: 1
Bird Species in Your Flock: Greenwing Macaw
Genus: Anodorhynchus
Family: Psittacidae

All Macaws have broad heads, slim bodies and long tails.

Macaws live naturally in areas ranging from the Southern area of Mexico all the way down into the central area of South America.

Macaws are on the Endangered Species list because their numbers have significanly declined in the wild. This is due to destruction of rainforest habitats and the trapping of Macaws for the pet trade.

Macaws range in size. Hyacinth Macaws are the largest of the Macaws at about 40 inches (100cm) long. Red-shouldered Macaws are the smallest Macaws at about 12 inches (30cm) long.

There are 17 parrot species classified as Macaws in 4 genera.
    Genus Ara: Large Macaws such as Greenwing and Blue & Gold Macaws. This Genus contains 11 of the 17 species.
    Genus Diopsittaca: Smaller Macaws such as Red-shouldered, Hahn's and Noble Macaws.
    Genus Anodorhynchus: The largest Macaws, such as Hyacinth, Lears and Glaucaus Macaws.
    Genus Cyanopsitta: The very rare Spix's Macaw is the only species in this genus.

Breeders have bred different species of Macaws to create Hybrid Macaws. This practice of hybrid breeding is done for profit and not looked upon in a positive way by most who care about the welfare of the birds.

If you would like to find out more about each individual type of Macaw, a good place to start is HERE

To find out more about wild macaws and their natural habitats (conservation of them as well), a good place to start is HERE.


DIET:
    Like other types of parrots, Macaws require a healthy varied diet of fresh foods, which include fruits and vegetables. A percentage of their daily intake is usually some form of supplemental pellet, such as Harrison's brand. The type/brand of pellet and the ratio of pellets and fresh foods varies. Being so active as they are, raw nuts in the shell are important for larger Macaws because they need a diet with higher fat content than other types of birds.

HEALTH:

    PHS (Pulmonary Hypersensitivity Syndrome): Good venhilation is important for all birds; moreso for Macaws. If they are housed with other types of birds who are known to produce lots of dust (ie: Greys, Toos, Tiels) proper steps MUST be taken regarding venhilation of the area they are housed in. Macaws can develop "pulmonary hypersensitivity syndrome". When signs of this are noticed it is critical that the Macaw be moved to a more well-venhilated area. Pulmonary hypersentitivity syndrome gets progressively worse and has no cure! Read more about it HERE.

    Signs you would notice early on of respiratory trouble would be wheezing when the macaw has been playing, exercising or is excited. As things progress, you would see signs that breathing is difficult, and may even notice cyanosis (blue hue to the patches of skin on a Macaw's face). Further trouble is caused by not getting enough oxygen into their system, (due to the trouble breathing) that eventually causes an increase in red blood cells, which in turn causes blood NOT to flow properly.

    PDD (Proventricular Dilatation Disease - aka "Macaw Wasting Disease"): I'm including extremely generalized exerpts, but there is a large amount of information to be learned about PDD, so I URGE you to read through the StopPDD FAQ's page.

    Quote:
    *Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) is a wasting type disease that can affect and is fatal in captive and free-ranging birds; especially young birds like African Greys; Macaws and Cockatoos.
    *The symptoms and side effects that have been associated with PPD are varied, its routes are unknown, and its outcome is fatal.
    *A bird carrying PDD may or may not show outward signs before the disease becomes critical.
    *A presumptive diagnosis of PDD is based on historical information, clinical signs, and radiographic evidence of proventricular dilatation or dysfunction. Confirming that a living bird has PDD is difficult.

BEHAVIOR:
    Macaws are not exempt from behavioral "problems". They require ample space and plenty of destructible toys. They need emotional stimulation. Their minds are always turning, and (speaking on the behalf of our personal experience with larger Macaws) they expend a LOT of energy! They play rough!

    Macaws use their beaks a LOT. Unfortunately, some humans misunderstand the use of the beak as it approaches for a prelude to a bite. While a crushing bite from a Macaw is a force to be reckoned with, Macaws are often labeled as "nippy". This may be partly due to the misunderstanding. The larger Macaws can crunch a Brazil Nut with ease. Agreeably, it's better to be safe than sorry, but often the human will recoil sharply, creating just the drama a Macaw loves to get from them!

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We must never forget the one who inspired me... my precious Baby!
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Board index » Species Discussion Forums » Mystical Macaws » Macaw General Personality and Help

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