Macaw - Illiger's

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Illigers Macaw, Illiger's Miniature Macaw Scientific Name: Ara maracana

Basic Info

Illiger's Macaws grow to about 17 inches and have green plumage. Its crown, neck, and throat are all bluish green to complement its red forehead. The lower back and a v-shaped spot on the underbelly are also red, and the tail feathers are a light brown-red color. They are tipped in blue, and the flight feathers of Illiger's Macaws are blue. Females have less red coloration than males. Their typical Macaw naked facial patch is lightly striped with very fine feather lines, and the iris is orange-brown. The bill is black and Illiger's Macaws have flesh colored legs.

Health

These birds pick up food in their claws, eat it from there, and are quite fussy, picking up any bits that fall to the ground. Illiger's Macaws are finicky like cats and will not eat food if they are bored with it. Illiger's Macaws can be hand raised on half-ripe corn and egg food, and during breeding should be provided with calcium supplements. They should also be provided with fresh water at all times, though they do not like to bathe as much as other Macaws. To accommodate their love of flight, Illiger's Macaw pairs do nicely in an outdoor aviary of nine by five by six feet with an indoor shelter, and should be kept above 60 degrees Fahrenheit until acclimatized, when they can tolerate down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Illiger's Macaw should be encouraged to captive breeding as they are becoming quite endangered, and it is important to keep them in pairs to avoid depression and loneliness. Breeding Illiger's Macaw breed several times a year, from December to June and in the wild from March to June. They reach sexual maturity at two and half years and lay one to four eggs, which require about three to four weeks to hatch. Illiger's Macaws are very shy while breeding and prefer a dark quiet room or environment. Provide a nesting box of eight and a half by 16 by 12 inches with a small opening of about three inches. Do not disturb or inspect the nesting box, as Illiger's Macaw may damage their eggs in fright if you do. Upon hatching, the fledgling stage lasts 12 weeks and young birds should be removed from the parents as older pairs may severely pluck them and to keep them tame they must be frequently handled. Immature Illiger's Macaws have paler plumage than adults, less red on the forehead, and horn colored edges to the bill.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

Illiger's Macaw, sometimes called Illiger's Miniature Macaw, makes an amusing, intelligent pet and is easier to keep than larger Macaws because of its small size. Extremely curious and intelligent, Illiger's Macaws may be mischief-makers because, like most of the large parrots they investigate everything in sight by chewing on it! Aside from this habit, Illiger's Miniature Macaws are sweet and friendly. They are quite active and get along very well with other birds. When hand-raised they are quite tame, and wild-caught Illiger's Macaws should not be kept because these birds are endangered in the wild. Illiger's Macaws should be kept in pairs, and if it is a male-female pair, the birds will be much happier, having a constant companion and playful friend who can keep up with their quick minds and movements! These Macaws tend to be very good breeders and may breed three times a year! In flight, Illiger's Macaws are quite creative, soaring, diving, dropping, and flitting about the aviary. They joyfully greet their keepers and companions with a raucous croak. To prevent boredom it is important that they be given plenty of toys to play with and chew. Wooden chew toys are usually a hit with this species. Illiger's Macaws are not as noisy as some, and are usually described as medium-noisy.

Origin

South America

History

Native to Paraguay where they are endangered, Illiger's Macaws live in coastal forests up to 3300 feet. They also inhabit northeast Argentina and southeastern Brazil. Sometimes they forage in grain or maize fields as their own habitats are destroyed by deforestation.

Common Foods

Illiger's Macaws should be fed a wide variety of food, balanced in approximately 25 percent boiled pulse and germinated seeds, 25 percent hard mixed seed, 30 percent vegetables and green food, and 20 percent fruit.