Let’s know about Yellow Collar Macaw. Charming, clever, and comical, yellow-collared macaws provide all the personality of a large macaw in a larger, more affordable, and easier-to-care-for- mini macaw package. They make great pets. They are brilliant, which makes training easy, and most of these birds learn to talk fairly well. These parrots love attention and enjoy being part of a family. Yellow-collared macaws are a lively, attractive bird that can make an exceptional companion for the right owner.
species overview
- Common Names: Yellow-collared Macaw, Golden-collared Macaw, Yellow-naped Macaw, Cassin’s Macaw.
- Scientific name: Ara auricollis or Primolius auricollis.
- Adult Size: 15 to 17 inches, weighing between 8 and 10 ounces.
- Life Expectancy: Above 50 years.
Origin and History
Yellow Collar Macaw are native to central South America. Their range includes parts of Bolivia and Brazil as well as northern Paraguay and Argentina. In the wild, yellow-collared macaws form tight bonds with their mates and rarely separate even in a herd. They nest in tree cavities within tropical forests and low woodlands. These birds are threatened and endangered. The taxonomy of this species is in dispute. Some classify this bird in the Ara genus as a small parrot similar to the grim macaw. Other Place this bird in the genus with other mini macaws such as Primolius Iliger’s macaws, which have one of the closest relationships to the yellow-collared. The yellow-collar was previously named something of both— Propyrhura Auricollis — which matters even more.
Mood
Affectionate, but somewhat mischievous, the Yellow Collar Macaw has a reputation for being an intelligent and resourceful little parrot. It gets attention from its owner and will seek that attention in some way or another. Expect a greeting when you’re home and lots of love and affection, whether you want it or not. Although some are one-person birds, most yellow-collared macaques make exceptional family pets. It helps when a bird is socialized young. They are generally friendly by nature. These traits are extensions from their pairing and herding instincts, which they will happily extend to their human flock. Given the right amount of training, discipline and love, these birds can become loyal and affectionate pets that form deep and long lasting bonds with their owners. However, if this bird does not receive consistent training from a young age, it can become a territorial, nippy bird. While yellow-collared macaws are generally not as noisy as larger macaws, they are capable of being quite loud when the mood strikes. Some people even compare their call to a gulp. This noise level does not make them suitable for apartment or condominium living.
speech and vocalizations
Many yellow-collareds are given talkers. They are able to say many words and phrases. Some owners have noted that yellow-collared macaws can talk more clearly than larger species. Still, no parrot is guaranteed to ever talk. Don’t buy a bird for its talking ability alone.
how to teach your bird to talk
Yellow-collar Macaw Coloring and Marking
Yellow collar macaws have mainly green bodies in various colors. The green may be slightly darker than that of some parrots, although they are shades of olive and lemon green. They get their common name from the striking yellow band on the back of their neck (nape). The birds have a bright blue color at the tips of the long maroon tail. When in flight, you will also see yellow under your wings. The forehead on this bird is a bluish-black color, contrasted with large white eye patches around an orange iris. The beaks are mostly black, fading into a white dot at the end of the upper mandible, and their legs are flesh colored. Males and females look alike as it is a monomorphic species of bird. DNA sexing or surgical sexing procedure is the only way to tell the different sexes. In addition, the plumage color of this bird lacks the brightness as a young bird; its colors will become more vivid with age.
Caring for a Yellow-collared Mac
Yellow-collared macaws, like many other mini macaw species, have a reputation for attaching themselves to the person who cares for them. They love attention and conversation, and because of this, they’re not the right choice if you don’t have many hours a day to dedicate to them. These mini Macs are these little escape artists, stemming from their curious and sometimes mischievous personalities. Make sure you provide a cage that is safe and secure. Although these are small parrots, they still need a large cage to explore and spread their legs and wings. At a minimum, the cage should be 3 feet wide by 3 feet long and 6 feet long. Parrots do better with positive reinforcement, so remember to ignore the bad behavior and reward the good. When your macaw gets a little unruly from the cage, sometimes all it takes to correct the behavior is to put it back on its perch. With a little patience, it will learn what will make you happy, who wants it all. Another essential is a dish of water for a birdbath. These macaw are watery delights and will splash around to your heart’s content if given a chance.
Use these tips to keep mini macaws as pets
common health problems
Yellow-collared macaws are relatively healthy, long-lived birds but are susceptible to some common pet bird diseases:
- Projectile dispersion disease (maca wasting disease caused by a virus)
- raise wings
- Psittacosis (parrot fever, chlamydios bacterial infection)
- Other bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
diet and nutrition
Although the range of the wild yellow-collared macaw is relatively small, it spans several countries. The bird eats a great variety of local fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetation. A pet yellow-collar should eat a diet that is varied. Macaws, depending on their size, will eat about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of parrot mix and 1/2 to 3/4 cup of fruits and vegetables per day. Provide fresh drinking water every day. Supplement with seeds and nuts to keep birds healthy and happy. Never ever feed these birds avocados, chocolate, rhubarb, coffee beans, or alcoholic beverages, as they can be toxic. Seed vs. Pellets: what to feed your bird
exercise
Yellow-collared macaws live to play. This macaw requires a minimum of 1 to 2 hours of playtime outside the cage each day to allow it to exercise its legs, beak and feathers. This time is also an opportune moment for training, whether it is teaching the bird to talk or fun bird tricks. They love to have clowns around, and you’ll have a lot of fun making this part of their personality. Outside of the cage, a sturdy play stand with a place for treats and toys is essential for these playful little acrobats. Good parrot toys should be hard and plentiful inside and outside the cage. Yellow-collared macaws need to be kept busy, so the more bird-safe toys you can give your bird, the happier it will be. Wood, leather, and rope are excellent materials, and make sure a backup is available so you can replace worn toys. professionals
- social, affectionate, loyal
- intelligent, can learn how to talk and do tricks.
- quieter than other parrots.
Opposition
- May not be noisy, but can still be loud whenever you want.
- One person’s bond builds up and can penetrate others.
To adopt or buy a yellow-collared macaw
If you’re interested in a macaw or any type of parrot, don’t overlook this species in favor of a larger or more colorful bird. They are readily available in the pet trade and should be very easy to find. Visit some birds and once you interact with the yellow-collared macaw, you’ll see that these little beauties can be larger than life. Before purchasing a mini maca from a bird store or breeder, check with animal shelters and rescue organizations. They can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500. Online resources can point you in the right direction of breeders or rescues:
- bird breeders
- now birds
- adopt a pet.
Birds of Beauty is an organization that maintains a directory of reputable parrot breeders in the US. If considering a bird breeder , make sure you interview the breeder, look at the general health of your birds, check their living conditions, and talk to past customers. Signs you should avoid breeders that include flexible living conditions, passive birds and breeders who evade your questions or don’t seem to have much information on their birds.
More pet bird species and further research
If you are interested in similar species, check out:
- Hahn’s Macaw Species Profile
- Illiger’s Macaw Species Profile
- Severe Macaw Species Profile