Golden-collared Macaw
2 Photo Gallery
1 Golden-collared Macaw Breed Overview
The Golden-collared Macaw is a medium-sized parrot whose sexes are hard to tell apart. Unlike large macaws, it is not highly destructive or noisy, and importantly it is good at learning to talk, making it one of the better macaws to keep as a pet.
The Golden-collared Macaw likes to inhabit various types of areas, including woodlands, humid forests, and agricultural land. It is mainly distributed in central Brazil, eastern and northern Bolivia, northern Paraguay, and northwestern Argentina.
Chinese name: Golden-collared Macaw
Latin name: Propyrrhura auricollis
Other names: Yellow-collared Macaw
Binomial name: Primolius auricollis
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Tribe: Arini
Genus: Propyrrhura
Subspecies: Cassin, 1853
Named by and year: Cassin, 1853
English name: Yellow-collared Macaw
English name: Golden-collared Macaw
2 Physical Characteristics of the Golden-collared Macaw
The Golden-collared Macaw looks very similar to other parrots, with an almost entirely green body. The adult is about 41 cm long and should weigh 240-250 g. Young birds closely resemble the parents, but have a whitish-gray beak, gray iris, and pale gray legs, with a red collar on the back of the neck.
The Golden-collared Macaw’s forehead and cheeks are dark brown, with a bluish tone from the head to the sides of the neck, and a horizontal yellow band across the back of the neck. The primary flight feathers are blue, the secondaries have a clear green edge, and the inner wing feathers are olive-yellow. The upper tail feathers are reddish-brown with blue tips, and olive-yellow underneath. The beak is slate black with a waxy-yellow tip; the iris is orange; the bare cheeks are white; the lores are straw-yellow; and the legs are pinkish flesh.
3 Golden-collared Macaw Living Environment
A qualified Golden-collared Macaw owner should consider, before keeping one, not the bird’s price but the basics: its wild habitat, its temperament, and what it likes to eat.
In the wild the Golden-collared Macaw mainly inhabits various types of areas, including woodlands, humid forests, agricultural land, the tropical and subtropical humid forests of Argentina, and the dry woodlands of Bolivia.
Should a pet macaw’s cage be as large as possible? Not necessarily-bigger cages take up space and make cleaning hard. When choosing a cage, the minimum length and width should let the parrot turn around freely, and the height can be greater for climbing; long-tailed parrots naturally need a more spacious cage to avoid tail damage. Because the Golden-collared Macaw has a strong bite, choose stainless-steel cages and feeders. Also add wooden blocks, hanging strings, rope ladders, and similar toys so the parrot is not too bored when alone; swapping toys keeps it interested.
4 Golden-collared Macaw Care
How could such a lively, friendly Golden-collared Macaw not be noisy! Still, owners are usually mentally prepared before acquiring one. Telling males from females requires an expert.
The Golden-collared Macaw mainly eats fruit, seeds, nuts, and buds, and occasionally forages in grain or corn fields.
The breeding season in Argentina is December. Nests are in tree hollows about 20 m above the ground, usually 3 or 4 eggs, incubation about 23 days, and chicks leave the nest after 7 weeks.
Captive birds quickly lose their fear of people after adapting and soon trust their owner; they are not sensitive during adjustment and then become robust. Providing fresh branches to chew is best. Hand-reared birds are not noisy and are quite lovable. Breeding success is increasing worldwide; after a first breeding the Golden-collared Macaw usually becomes a stable, prolific breeder. They accept various nest box styles, are not sensitive during breeding, and are not aggressive when the owner checks the box. Usually 3-4 eggs per clutch, about 25 days incubation, and feathers fully grown at about 10 weeks.