Green-Wing Macaw (Red-and-Green Macaw)

The green-wing macaw is one of the most readily available of the macaw species, and also one of the largest, smaller only than the hyacinth macaw. Its calm and friendly temperament despite its size has earned it the epithet ‘the gentle giant.’ It should be the obvious choice as a pet for someone looking to own a macaw.

Green-Wing Macaw

Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Psittaciformes
Superfamily	Psittacoidea
Family	Psittacidae
Subfamily	Arinae
Tribe	Arini
Genus	Ara
Scientific Name	Ara chloropterus

Quick Information
Also known as	Green-winged macaw, red and blue macaw (historical), crimson macaw (historical), maroon macaw (historical)
Size	35-37 inches (90-95 cm)
Weight	2.3-3.8 lbs (1.05-1.71 kg)
Color	Adults have a crimson red head that continues down through the upper portions of the wings and back, the belly and the tail; a streak of green runs across the middle of the back and wings (hence the name); light blue rump and tail coverts and the tail tip, while parts of the wings are dark blue; dark grey legs and lower beak, horn-colored upper beak with the dark grey on the sides, yellow iris; Juveniles have similar coloration like that of adults except for a paler grey beak with a white base and brown iris, and their tail is much shorter
Distribution	Central and South America
Habitat	Tropical rainforests by lowlands and low foothills of interior areas
Sounds & calls	They can be a noisy bird, producing screeches and screams when agitated
Clutch	2-3 eggs
Incubation period	28 days
Fledging	90 days after hatching
Breeding age	8 years
Breeding season	Northern range: February-March Southern range: November-December
Lifespan	60-70 years, sometimes even longer
Diet	Fruits, seeds, nuts, and vegetation, clay, tree barks and plant matter
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Green Winged Macaw

Green Wing Macaw

Green-winged macaw as pets

The green-winged macaw’s gentle disposition coupled with social and friendly characteristics makes it an excellent choice for a pet. However, its large size, loud calls, and long lifespan also mandates that it is only kept by someone who has the commitment and time to make sure the bird does not get bored.

Housing

Purchase a roomy cage with dimensions of at least 2.5×3 feet. Place robust perches inside the cage along with chewable fruit tree branches, replacing them occasionally with new ones. Toys also need to be provided for your pet to maintain its mental enrichment.

Remember that although quieter than other macaws, the green wing can be quite noisy when they decide to scream, so it might be a good idea to keep the cage in a soundproofed room.

The bird must be let out of the cage to roam freely for at least 2-3 hours per day.

Green Wing Macaw Baby

Red-and-Green Macaw

Temperature

The red and green macaw can withstand temperatures ranging from 65°-78°F (18°-25°C). It may be alright with temperatures even lower, but only for short periods.

Temperament

They are a bird with a horizontal temperament as long as they are interacted with regularly. They are quite lovable, sociable and intelligent. They are also rather inquisitive and will consider everything around the household a toy, be it a valuable possession of yours, or probably an electric wiring. They have the tendency to give back your moods back to you, if you are happy around it, it will be happy and vice versa.

They like to be cuddled, petted and preened, so don’t be miserly with that when you are with your green-winged macaw.

They can learn to talk by mimicking human speech with proper training.

Aggression from the green-winged macaw, although rare, should be kept an eye out for, as their strong beaks have enough bite force to sever a finger or two.

Green Wing Macaw Bird

Red and Green Macaw Birds

Feeding

They can be fed a macaw specific pellet or seed mix on a daily basis. You can, however, offer your nutritious foods to your bird, but do remember never to give it chocolate and avocado as they are toxic to parrots and can raise health concerns.

Care

Replenish the drinking water and wash the food and water dishes on a daily basis. You can provide a birdbath so that it can bathe itself or you can also use a mist-spray for its bathing purposes. Perches can ensure the trimming of nails and beak, but you will need to keep a regular tab on it and clip them yourself if the need arises.

Green Wing Macaw Flying

Green Wing Macaw Pictures

Health problems

Some the common health problems that arise with green-winged macaws are:

Psittacosis
Proventricular Dilation Disease
Feather picking as a result of boredom, sexual disappointment, and poor diets
Allergies
Pappillomas
Gout or kidney disease
Heavy metal poisoning
Chewing or flight and tail feathers (juveniles)
Malformation of beaks (babies)
Lipomas (older individuals)

Most of these illnesses can be easily avoided with proper care, diet and adequate enrichment and interaction. Make regular trips to the vet with your green wing to keep such issues at bay.

Price

To get yourself a green wing macaw you’d need to have between $1,500 and $2,000 with you.

Red and Green Macaw Pictures

Green Wing Macaws

Interesting facts

The green winged macaw is often easily confused with the scarlet macaw, but the differences between the two are the facts that the green wing is larger and slightly less colorful than the scarlet macaw, which has yellow coloration on its wings.
After an extirpation that lasted nearly 200 years, the green-winged macaw was recently released in Argentina by Aves Argentinas, which is a partner of BirdLife International.
Poncho, a green-wing macaw, is believed to be the oldest parrot in the world. She turned 90 in 2015.

Green-winged macaw Video: Dancing to Barbie Girl

References:

2 thoughts on “Green-Wing Macaw (Red-and-Green Macaw)”

hasan says:

December 17, 2017 at 8:47 am

let me know price ?

Reply
1. admin says:
  
  December 18, 2017 at 9:29 am
  
  Hi, you can check the price under the “Price” heading in the article.
  
  Reply