Blue and Gold Macaw
Ara ararauna

CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Psittaciformes
FAMILY: Psittacidae

SIZE:
Approx. 18 inches

RANGE:
Central & South America

HABITAT:
Forests and tall trees growing in swamps and along waterways

DIET:
Wild - Seeds, fruits, nuts & vegetable matter
Zoo - Parrot mix, biscuits, fruit

DESCRIPTION:
Large beaks, long tails, and bare facial areas are common features of macaws

Upperside of tail, wings, backside and neck are rich deep blue; underparts are bright golden yellow; tail is blue and yellow; crown is greenish tinged with blue; beak and feet are black; white flesh cheek patches.

FACTS:

• Blue and gold macaws are more alert and intelligent than other species.
• Very inquiring and mischievous
• Good talkers but have ear-splitting voices
• Will chew anything
• Hardy and long-lived
• Determining the sex of macaws is difficult and can be deceptive.
• Associate in pairs
• In the wild, they are generally seen flying above forest canopy and feding among branches of tall trees.