This comprehensive care guide will show you how to look after an Blue And Gold Macaw in 3 easy steps
Fast Facts:
How long will my Blue And Gold Macaw live? 60-80 years
How big will my Blue And Gold Macaw grow? 75-85cm from beak to tail
What size of enclosure is recommended for my Blue And Gold Macaw? A wire enclosure of 65” X 30” X 75”
What does a Blue And Gold Macaw eat? Macaw nuts with fruit and vegetables
Blue And Gold Macaw Housing
Hand raised Blue & Gold Macaws have been raised by humans usually from 3 weeks old, making them accustomed to handling, cages and many noises that occur in everyday life.
A thick gauge wire cage with dimensions of at least 65”(W) x 30”(D) x 75”(H) will give your Blue & Gold Macaw enough room to spread out and exercise without risk of injury from hitting the wire sides.
Open top cages with perching areas are ideal for hand raised birds as they provide more freedom and interaction with their family. At night the cage should be covered with a sheet or cage cover to prevent drafts and reduce visual stress.
Blue And Gold Macaw Care
Blue & Gold Macaws should be fed on a quality Macaw Nuts, a specially formulated Macaw blend and given daily fresh fruit and vegetables. This can include apple, carrot, beans, peas, corn, broccoli and spinach. This food should not be left in the cage for too long as spoilt fruit can gather bacteria and yeasts that can make your bird ill.
Make sure to remember to never feed your Blue & Gold Macaw lettuce, avocado or apple seeds. Blue & Gold Macaws can also be offered small portions of seed such as a small parrot or peachface mix, but care should be taken to ensure this does not replace the birds pellet consumption.
Vitamin supplements such as Soluvite D or Multivet can be added to your Blue & Gold Macaws water two or three times a week. Calcium and Iodine can be provided through cuttlebone and iodine bells.
Fresh water should always be available and should be changed on a daily basis. Worming should be repeated every three months with a broad-spectrum bird wormer. It is essential that a good quality calcium supplement such as Calcivet is given to your
Blue & Gold Macaw at least 3 times a week for the first year.
Blue And Gold Macaw Feeding
Enrichment is all about enhancing the quality of life for your Blue & Gold Macaw and generally relates back to activities they would usually perform in the wild.
Foraging plays a big part in enrichment for birds. To search for food is a natural instinct all birds possess, so it is the perfect way to exercise both their body and mind. There is a vast range of foraging toys to suit all species of birds and keep them mentally stimulated for when you are not at home.
It is a good idea to have several different types of foraging toys available, and to rotate them in the cage every couple of weeks. Natural branches of varying lengths, shapes and thicknesses should also be provided.
There are many native branches that you could offer your Blue & Gold Macaw such as eucalyptus, gum, grevillea, bottle brush and lilly pilly, many of which have natural nuts and flowers that providing a foraging opportunity for your Blue & Gold Macaw. This also allows Blue & Gold Macaws to properly exercise their feet and beak as they can chew and strip the bark perches.
Did You Know?
Blue & Gold Macaws are known as a ‘sexually monomorphic species’ meaning you can not visually distinguish between a male and female bird. The only way to find out the sex is to have it DNA tested by a veterinarian.
One of the most iconic birds in the world, Blue & Gold Macaws are a challenge to keep. They require very large enclosures, lots of free time and their trust must be earned over many, potentially bitey months.
If this trust is earned however, they have been likened to ‘dogs with wings’ and are one of the most loyal and affectionate animals you can own.
We have created a Shopping list to show what you need to look after a Blue And Gold Macaw:
- Cage; 65”x30”x75” thick gauge wire
- Water bowl
- Food bowl
- Perches
- Ozpet Litter
- Cage Tidy
- Cage cover
- Carry cage
- Macaw nuts & blend
- Vitamins
- Worming
- Avicare disinfectant
- Mixed treat nuts
- Lice & Mite spray
- Natural perches
- Cement perches
- Foraging toys
- Colourful toys
- Ladders
- Parrot pad
- Play stand
Common health issues in Blue And Gold Macaws
Psittacosis: A type of bacterial lung infection commonly carried by wild and domesticated birds, and able to be passed onto humans.
Respiratory Infections: Usually caused by bacteria infecting the respiratory system of birds due to vitamin A deficiency, however can be caused by many other factors such as fungi, parasites and environmental toxins.
Bacterial Infections: There are many common bacterial diseases birds are susceptible to and is usually caused by lack of hygiene or stress, especially when there is another factor compromising the birds immune system.
Red flags
Is your Blue And Gold Macaw showing any of the signs of disease or illness? If yes, please contact your vet.
- Fluffed up feathers
- Nasal discharge
- Lethargy
- Out of character behaviour
- Discoloured poo or diarrhoea
At Kellyville Pets, we encourage responsible pet ownership.
CARE GUIDE © Copyright 2016 Kellyville Pets - All information found in this care guide is based upon our own experience. The information provided is not the only information available. In any medical situations, you should always consult your vet, including questions regarding your pet's diet.