Different Types of Pet Macaws

One of the most prized pet birds, there are 17 different types of macaws, each with its own unique needs and quirks. Several macaws are endangered, with the hyacinth, red-fronted, and blue-throated macaws among the most seriously endangered.

Although these charming, personable birds are understandably popular as pets, demand has threatened their numbers in the wild. Many macaws are illegally trapped in their native rainforests and sold.

Most macaws are large and require a lot of social interaction, making them high-maintenance pets. However, if you're okay with a pet that demands significant time from its owner, a macaw could be a good fit. Here are a few types of macaws and what makes each one unique.

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7 Things to Know About Owning a Macaw

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Blue and Gold Macaws

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Intelligent and sociable, the blue and gold macaw grows to be quite large, measuring nearly three feet from beak to tail. This is not a pet for novice bird owners; it rivals a cat or a dog in its social needs. They are very loud birds, and their vocalizations include flock calls that sound like screaming.

They're also known to "chew" with their beaks in captivity. The reward for a macaw owner willing to invest the energy is a pet with a lively personality, making it an excellent companion. Blue and gold macaws, also known as blue and yellow macaws, bond closely with their human owners.
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Greenwing Macaws

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Roger de la Harpe/Getty Images

The greenwing macaw has a sweet disposition and responds well to training. They need attention and time to bond with their owners but will thrive in a supportive environment. If you're considering this bird as a pet (or any macaw, for that matter), don't expect to leave it alone for long. It needs a lot of social interaction.
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Hahn's Macaws

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Ian Fox/Getty Images

These little birds are the smallest of the macaws and are very easygoing. Social and intelligent, Hahn's macaws respond quickly to training and form close bonds with their owners.

They can become good talkers with practice. While they exhibit many typical macaw behaviors, such as screaming, they are a good choice for bird lovers who want a macaw but aren't ready to take on a large bird.
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Hyacinth Macaws

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Richard McManus/Getty Images

Hyacinth macaws are the largest type of macaw and arguably the hardest to care for. Because these birds demand more time and attention than other species, they are definitely not suitable for novice bird owners. Large, beautiful, and intelligent, they can be quite alluring but are suitable only for pet owners with the right patience and devotion.

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05 of 10

Hybrid Macaws

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D Coetzee/Flickr/Public Domain

Hybrid macaws are unlike any other macaw species, bred strictly for color and pet quality. Being of mixed heritage, they possess combined personality traits of the species that were crossed. Only an experienced owner with a thorough understanding of macaw behavior should consider a hybrid.
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Illiger's Macaws

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MrTMan/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

Illiger's macaws are playful, friendly birds that enjoy human interaction. When hand fed as babies and raised in loving attentive homes, these intelligent parrots will bond strongly with their owners and will quickly respond to positive training techniques.

Illiger's macaws require a lot of mental stimulation, and they like to stay busy.
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Military Macaws

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Ger Bosma/Getty Images

Social and very vocal, military macaws have a reputation for being pleasant, even-tempered pets when properly socialized. They are curious birds and enjoy playing and interacting with their human "flock."

Like other macaws, these birds require a lot of energy from their human owners. Plan to spend ample time with a military macaw if you get one as a pet.
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Scarlet Macaws

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Rüdiger Katterwe/Getty Images

These birds are intelligent, but they need daily socialization and stimulation so that they stay tame. Scarlet macaws get bored quite easily, so they should be provided with plenty of toys to play with, in addition to near-constant attention from their owners.

Hand-fed scarlet macaws can be very affectionate, but potential owners should keep in mind that like all macaws, they can be noisy. Don't plan on keeping one as a pet if you live in an apartment or small living space, it probably won't work.

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Severe Macaws

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Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr/Public Domain

Friendly and comical, the severe macaw's large personality makes it a favorite with bird lovers. With adequate socialization, severe macaws bond quickly with their owners, responding well to training and boasting impressive speech abilities. They are as needy as other macaw varieties, but severe macaws can be charming companions.
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Yellow-Collared Macaws

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Pat McGrath/Wikimedia Commons/CC By 2.0

Affectionate but somewhat mischievous, the yellow-collared macaw is known for being an intelligent and resourceful little parrot. They thrive on attention from their owners, and like other macaws, they will seek that attention by any means necessary.

Yellow-collared macaws are clever and tend to be escape artists, so it's important to provide a cage that is safe and secure. Although some are one-person birds, most make good family pets.