Info
The blue and yellow macaw is a species of parrot with unusually bright colors. These birds can easily communicate with people in a common language and adapt to changes in surroundings and noise. I feel great because of these characteristics of birds; people have been loving them since ancient times. The first date on which the beauties of blue and yellow parrots were kept as pet birds is the 17th century.
| Name and classification | Blue-and-yellow macaw Ara Parrot |
| Length | 0.76—0.95 m |
| Wings | The span is from 1.04 to 1.14 m |
| Tail | 0.52 m |
| Adult weight | 0.9-1.3 kg |
| Color | A combination of blue (back, wings), blue (back, wings, tail), yellow (neck, belly, wings, tail), green (head), and black (throat) colors. |
| Beak | Strong, curved to the bottom, and black in color. |
| Eyes | Straw-yellow (in young animals, brown with a gray tint). |
| Paws | Brown-black |
| differences | Females, unlike males, have a wider head and a narrower beak. |
| Peculiarities | Unfeathered cheeks and areas around the eyes with black stripes of small feathers. |
| Conservation status | The species is under the control of the CITES convention (Appendix II) |
Credit: Pexels
Where do they live?
You can meet the blue-and-yellow parrot in the following Latin American countries:
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Bolivia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Peru
- Suriname.
Currently, wild populations of these birds have noticeably decreased in Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia.
In Trinidad, this species has completely disappeared.
Lifestyle and nutrition in the wild
Araruna are found in pairs or small herds. Although sometimes the birds can gather in large groups—up to 100 individuals,. They live in forests near rivers as well as swampy areas and mountain valleys. They become strongly attached to their habitat.
After a night\’s rest, they fly in the morning to search for food. They can fly up to 30 km in a day. At night and during the day, in summer, they hide in the crowns of tall trees.
They often fly to rivers, where they ingest river silt mixed with various minerals. According to ornithologists, eating river clay helps birds neutralize toxins that enter the bird\’s stomach from unripe fruits eaten.
The natural diet of parrots includes the following:
- seeds (khura),
- nuts (Brazil, bottle, tucuma, Mauritius, nuts, buriti),
- fruits (mango),
- tree bark,
- berries,
- Flowers,
- sometimes insects, larvae, or small lizards.
Lifespan
Although scientists believe that blue and yellow macaws live for 35–40 years, biologists estimate that the average lifespan of birds in the wild is around 40 years. Factors significantly reducing bird life include unfavorable environmental conditions, deforestation, climate change, and poaching.
As for birds in captivity, the official record holder, who managed to reach 43 years of age, is the Blue and Yellow Macaw, who lived in one of the Danish zoos. Most tamed Araruans live in captivity for 25 to 35 years. Their life expectancy is negatively affected by improper care and nutrition.
life production (in the wild and captivity)
appear every year. After a short period of courtship, the female begins to lay a clutch (from 2 to 5 eggs). The incubation period is one month. All this time, the parrot feeds his “beloved” and protects future replenishment. Both parents are involved in feeding the hatched offspring. The chicks begin to leave the nest in the third month but finally move on to independent life only at 6 months of age.
Credit: Freepik
Parrots reproduce well in captivity if you create comfortable living conditions for them (a large enclosure, a nesting box, a proper diet, and minimum contact with humans). In captivity, the mating season begins in April.Chicks begin to be removed from their parents at 4 months of age.
In captivity, the mating season begins in April. Until 3 months of age, it is better to try not to disturb the parrot family so as not to cause stress or aggression towards the young. On these days, contact with birds should be reduced as much as possible because birds can show aggression, even towards their owners. As in the natural environment, the female does the incubation, and both parents feed the offspring.
Features of keeping the Blue-and-yellow macaw at home
Araruan has been tamed since ancient times until today. In addition to their extraordinary beauty, parrots amaze with their high intelligence and ability to speak. But at the same time, they require special conditions of maintenance and constant attention from the owner.
Considering that the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is a large bird, it requires a huge cage (from 0.6 to 0.9 m) or an aviary (at least 3×2 to 3 m) with horizontal metal rods 0.5–1 cm thick. This is the space that will allow the bird to move around without difficulty. They equip the bird\’s home with a retractable tray and a lock with a special 2-turn mechanism (so that the parrot cannot open it). Mandatory equipment: feeders, drinking bowls, bathtubs, toys, and perches.
Credit: Pixabay
The diet of the blue-yellow parrot should include these probiotics.
- Factory-made grain concentrates for large parrots or grains (wheat, oats, millet, corn, and legumes) make up 60% of the total food.
- Fruits.
- apricots.
- pears.
- apples.
- grape.
- citruses.
- bananas.
- peaches.
- Berries (rose hips, cranberries, strawberries, blueberries).
- Vegetables (carrots, beets, cucumbers, broccoli, turnips, cauliflower).
- Nuts, seeds.
- Greens (dill, microgreens).
- Mineral additives (sand, lime, shell rock).
Poisonous foods for parrots:
- Cherry pits and apricot.
- Salt.
- Sugar, chocolate, and candy.
- Coffee Tea.
- Parsley.
Temperament and behavior of Blue-and-yellow macaws
Blue and yellow macaws are active and sociable. They are also considered the most “diligent” students; they willingly complete tasks, repeat various tricks, and quickly learn spoken human speech (able to memorize up to 30 phrases). If we do not take into account the aggression of the mating season, then it is these parrots that are distinguished by the greatest sociability and loyalty towards humans. They quickly become attached to their owner and enjoy spending time with him.
In order for a bird to treat all family members equally, it must be socialized (introduced to the human community) from an early age.
One of the unpleasant moments is the loudness. Birds like to make noise early in the morning and in the evening. This behavior is quite normal for this species. The only thing that can distract your feathered pets from their daily “serenades” is a variety of toys, frequent communication with them, and training sessions.
Credit: Pexels
Buying tips:
Despite the fact that many people want to have a bird, only a few can afford such a bird.Having such a bird at home, you must always remember that this is not just a “beautiful toy,\” but a creature with its own needs.High requirements for living conditions and high costs are the main reasons why birds become unavailable for mass breeding.
With good care, Araruan is a joy for its owners. But not only should a parrot bring pleasure to a person, but people should also create a comfortable living environment for the pet.It is worth noting that the average market price for one individual is between 2 and 3 thousand US dollars.
Those who can afford to have such a luxurious exotic pet should purchase it from a special nursery or pet store, where they will offer a healthy young specimen with all the accompanying documents at the age of about six months.
Taking into account the costs of building a bird, food, and care, the blue-and-yellow parrot can confidently be considered one of the most expensive species.
Also check out: Red Macaw
Also check out: Caring For The Alexandrine Parrot
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