General Information

Also known as the Blue and Yellow Macaw, this bird is very popular because of its striking appearance and ability to speak. It is a very popular pet ranging from USD $1,000 to $2,000 in North America, but its large size makes domestication quite difficult. In its natural habitat, the bird flies mostly in pairs but may congregate with others to form flocks of up to 30 birds.

Physical Description

They can reach between 76-86 cm in size and weigh 2-3 lbs, which makes them one of the biggest parrots in the world. Their colors are extremely vivid in appearance with bright blue wings and tail. Their heads are capped with green, and the under parts are a yellow or butterscotch color. They have a jet-black chin and beak

Diet

Their diets consist mainly of fruits, vegetable matter, seeds, nuts, leaves, bark and small animals. They will also use clay licks as a mineral supplement and to detoxify seeds.  

Habitat

The blue and yellow macaw is most commonly found throughout Mexico, Central America, and northern parts of South America. They live in rainforests, high in trees especially among swamps and rivers. This bird uses its powerful beak not only for crushing the nuts it feeds on but also for climbing up and hanging from trees.

Reproduction

The Blue and Gold Macaw can live up to 60 years of age, and they generally sexually mature at around 3 to 6 years. They only form one couple for reproduction during their entire life. The nest is usually in a hole at the top of a tall dead tree, and the female will generally lay two eggs and incubate them for about 25 days while the male feeds her.