The Military Macaw

Facts

The Military Macaw (Ara militaris) is a full sized macaw, though they are a bit smaller than several of the other large macaws. These birds are about 25"-27" (70-75 cm) in length and are native to Central and South America and Mexico. There are three subspecies of the Military Macaw distinguished mostly by the distinct location from which they come. The A. m. militaris is found in the northwestern part of Venezuela to eastern Ecuador and northern Peru, the A. m. mexicana is found in Mexico except in the rain forest zones, and the A. m. boliviana is found in the tropical zones of Bolivia and the northern part of Argentina.

The Military Macaw has a general green plumage, though the head is a lighter green, the throat is olive green, and there is an olive tinge to the back and wings. The lower back, rump, and the outer edges of the wings and tail are blue. They have a bright red forehead and a faint bluish tinge on the hind neck. The tail is a brownish-red on top and olive-green on the underside. They have a bare face patch lined with small greenish black feathers. The beak is gray-black and the eyes are yellow.

Though the Military Macaw doesn't have quite as brilliant a mixture of colors as that found in many of the large macaws, it is a very impressive parrot. It is very similar to the Buffon's Macaw but is a bit smaller and a brighter green. Like all macaws, the Military Macaw is quite inquisitive and intelligent. They are considered to be fair talkers and are excellent at learning tricks. With good interaction and attention, a Military Macaw can become quite tame and friendly. It is a favorite macaw not only to keep as a pet, but because it is readily trainable, the Military Macaw is often used as an entertainer.

These intelligent macaws can get along with more than one person if it is handled with consistently and well socialized. But they are a typical macaw and can be cranky at times and may prefer only one person or only one gender.  To have a well rounded bird that enjoys more than one person, make sure it is well socialized with lots of folks.

Care and Feeding

Specialized pelleted diets are highly recommended and should consist of 60–70% of the diet; use fortified seeds in moderation as they are higher in fat and less nutritious than pellets.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, berries, pears, grapes, broccoli, and carrots. Do not feed birds fruit seeds, avocados, chocolate, alcohol or caffeine as these can cause serious medical problems.

If your bird is used to a seed diet, convert to pellets gradually. Fresh pellets or seeds and fresh, clean, chlorine-free water should always be available. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be given daily; discard when not eaten within 24 hours; Macaws appreciate quality and variety in their food.

Birds acclimate well to average household temperatures; be cautious of extreme temperature change; cage should be placed off the floor in an area that is well-lit and away from drafts. A cage that is at least 36" W x 28" D, with metal bars spaced no greater than 1" apart, makes a good home for your parrot; as with all animals, it is best to provide the largest habitat possible; a flight cage is strongly recommended.

A variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings; line the droppings tray with cage paper or appropriate substrate for easier cleaning. To avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches.