Flame Macaw

Flame Macaw

    With the beautiful 'flame' feathers traveling across its shoulders and back, it's no wonder this beautiful bird is called the Flame Macaw!

Hybrid macaws are bred for color, and the Flame Macaw is definitely an exceptional coloration. This macaw is a second generation hybrid macaw. One of its parents, the Green-winged Macaw, is a species of naturally occurring macaws while the other, the Catalina Macaw, is also a hybrid macaw. This second generation hybrid macaw was developed from these crossings:

1st - Scarlet Macaw crossed with a Blue and Gold Macaw = Catalina Macaw

2nd - Green-winged Macaw crossed with a Catalina Macaw = Flame Macaw

   "Gorgeous cross between a Green Winged and a Catalina... this picture (above) is from a friend of mine, Javier Gutierrez"... Shaun Carter

   The beginnings of the Flame Macaw start with the Catalina Macaw which has two very popular types of macaws as its parents. The Scarlet Macaw, one of the most highly favored, is described as "beautiful and striking". The Scarlet has been the best known South American parrot for over 100 years. The other parent, the Blue and Gold Macaw, has been one of the most popular pet birds in the trade, renowned not only for its beauty but for its sweet nature and speaking ability. With the Catalina mix was added the 'gentle giant' Green-winged Macaw, lending a gentle bird with an amiable nature. The Flame Macaw inherits all these other macaws beautiful coloring and a complex personality!

   Because hybrid macaws are a mixture of more than one type of macaw, the offspring are influenced by the traits and characteristics of both of its parents. Father's have the dominant gene, so this will generally influence the offspring's coloration and overall appearance. However the behavior and temperament are more unpredictable.

  The parentage of the Flame Macaw is an interesting mix for a pet bird. This is a hybrid parrot that is very attractive with the intelligence and temperament of it parents. It should be quite trainable, learn to talk and do tricks, and have an amiable nature. But the fiery Scarlet may also introduce a bit of an indomitable spirit. As with all macaws, the Flame Macaw will require good socialization and a firm consistent hand in training, especially as it matures.

Scientific name:

   The Flame Macaw is a second generation hybrid macaw. It is a cross between a Catalina Macaw hybrid (Ara ararauna x Ara macao) and a Green-winged Macaw Ara chloroptera.

Distribution:

   ThIs is a captive bred hybrid macaw. Hybrid macaws are rarely found in the wild.

Description:

   Flame Macaws are among the most colorful of the Macaws. Their beautiful reds, blues, greens, and golds are a composite of colors influenced by the colorations of their parentage. They are a full size Macaw and are highly intelligent and inquisitive. They can learn to talk with a general vocabulary of about 15 or more words or expressions.

   Hybrids are usually bred for color rather than personality, so their characteristics can be uncertain. A Flame needs good socialization and a firm consistent hand in training, especially it matures.

Size - Weight:

   The Flame Macaw is a full sized macaw, very close to the same size as its parentage. They will reach over 2 pounds. The length of the largest of its parentage, the Green-winged Macaw, is up to 90 cm (35.5 inches) so the Flame could reach up to about the same.

Care and feeding:

   A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat.

Social Behaviors:

   The Flame Macaw typically takes on a composite of traits from its parentage, having a sweet friendly nature, as well as being highly intelligent and curious. They can be a very good natured and intelligent pet bird that is trainable and can learn to talk. They are a typical macaw. Can be cranky at times and may even be a one person bird or only like men or women unless well socialized. To have a well rounded bird that enjoys more than one person, make sure it is well socialized with lots of folks.

Breeding/Reproduction:

   This is a hybrid and it use to be that they were generally not bred, however the breeding of hybrids is becoming more common

Sexual differences:

   No visible differences in the sexes..

Potential Problems:

   Can be noisy (as can all macaws). 

Availability:

   Finding these macaws for sale is generally hard as they are rare, and they are expensive. There are more and more macaw breeders however, so finding these macaws for sale becomes easier as they become more common.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS