The Blue and Gold Macaw :

The Blue and Yellow Macaw, also known as the Blue and Gold Macaw, is perhaps the most commonly owned bird in North America. Reigning from South and Central America, it is along with the Scarlet Macaw, one of the most photographed birds as well. This is due to both its size; they grow to be about 34 inches long and can weigh up to three pounds, and due to their striking coloring.

Known for being mischievous and prone to easily pick up words you’d rather they didn’t say, they’re not the easiest birds to care for and you can bet a bird that talks is a noisy bird.  We provide a training package to help you teach them to say what you want when you want to avoid these embarrassing words.

This isn’t a bird for the owner that wants a pretty little bird to sit quietly in their cage and it isn’t a bird for owners with a small pocketbook. Their size alone means that they require a large cage and plenty of space to roam.

If a large cage weren’t expensive enough their inquisitive mind means they need plenty of toys, which they will quickly destroy with their powerful beak. They also come with a hefty price tag of between $1000 and $2000.

So who should own the Blue and Yellow Macaw? If you are prepared to have another child, because caring for a Blue and Yellow is like caring for a small and very precocious child, then this is the bird for you. Unlike a child, however, the Blue and Yellow Macaw will live 50 to 60 years which means you will want to be thoroughly prepared to care for this bird for the long haul.

These wonderful and affectionate birds are fine for families however they tend to bond strongly with one person – generally their caretaker. This bonding means that you as the caretaker will want to spend a significant amount of time training and socializing your Blue and Yellow Macaw.

Lack of training will result in tremendous problems, damage, and destruction. The last thing you want to do to this sensitive and loyal bird is re-home it. This means it is vital to spend time guiding their intelligence and inquisitive nature to more productive, less destructive, tasks. Toys, training, and plenty of time out of the cage with their owner are the key.

If you’re considering a Blue and Yellow Macaw as a companion, make sure your environment will support a loud bird, that means no shared walls like in an apartment or condominium. Also make sure you have plenty of room for a large cage and if possible an outdoor aviary. The more space this breed has to roam, the better. While in their cage they will need plenty of toys to play with, chew, and space to explore.

In nature, they enjoy climbing and foraging which means you’ll want to provide that type of environment for them in your home. The happiest Blue and Yellow Macaws have owners that are willing and able to spend plenty of time with them each day, have an optimal environment, get plenty of sleep and nutrients, and live in an enriched environment.

One of the most important factors of raising a well natured blue and gold is to trick train them from a young age.  This will help stimulate their minds and keep them out of trouble....most of the time.  No small feat for the average bird owner but then again the Blue and Yellow Macaw isn’t the average bird.