For bird lovers, especially parrot enthusiasts, the Scarlet Macaw is no stranger. However, not everyone knows about this species, especially those who are encountering them for the first time. Therefore, in the following article, We will help you better understand how much Scarlet Macaws cost, where they live, what they eat, and how to care for them. Let's explore this together if you're interested!
1. A Few Facts About the Scarlet Macaw
The scientific name of the Scarlet Macaw is Ara macao, and in English, they are known as the Scarlet Macaw. They are often referred to by other names such as South American parrot or Macaw parrot. They originate from South American countries, most commonly found in Central and South America, including southern Mexico to Peru, Bolivia, the island of Trinidad, and eastern Brazil.
However, due to their striking appearance, this parrot species has become popular worldwide, mainly as a pet. In Vietnam, the number of Scarlet Macaws is quite significant. Nowadays, they are being bred widely, making it easier for bird lovers to access them.
1.1. Physical Characteristics
As the name suggests, the most distinctive feature of the Scarlet Macaw is its long tail, which can be twice the length of its body. Here are some notable physical characteristics you can refer to:
- When fully grown, they can reach a size of 80-90 cm (with a tail length of 50-60 cm) and weigh between 900g to 1kg.
- Their most prominent color is red, but they also have other striking colors in various parts. The feathers around their tail and anus are usually light green. The wings are often yellow and dark green. The feathers around their neck and eyes are white, with a distinctive white ring around the neck.
- Their beak is large, proportional to their body, usually black on the lower jaw and pale white on the upper jaw.
- Their eyes are small and protruding, covered by a layer of wrinkled white skin.
- The legs are covered with feathers down to near the toes, and the feet are strong with sharp claws, having four toes like many other parrot species.
1.2. Behavior and Habits
The behavior and habits of the Scarlet Macaw differ from many other parrot species in terms of daily activities, reproduction, and survival skills.
In the wild, they are mainly active during the day, foraging for food, playing, and pairing. At night, they gather in large flocks of several dozen to hundreds of birds on a large tree to sleep. This helps maintain warmth and offers better protection.
They use both legs for different purposes: the left leg is used to hold and peel food, while the right leg holds onto branches to maintain balance during other activities.
When they sense danger or the presence of predators, they quickly flee by flying rapidly back to their nest and hiding until they feel safe to come out.
1.3. Reproduction
The breeding season for Scarlet Macaws usually begins in the summer when the temperature and humidity are high, which helps the eggs hatch faster, and food is more abundant, aiding the growth of young birds.
These parrots are very loyal, living monogamously throughout their lives. Once paired, they live together, build nests, search for food, and care for their young. Their nests are typically made in high tree hollows with dense foliage for protection, although they may also nest in rocky crevices or dig holes in high soil banks.
During the breeding season, the female lays 4-8 eggs. While the female incubates the eggs, the male searches for food and protects the nest. The incubation period lasts between 17-35 days, and after hatching, the young are cared for by both parents for about 2-3 months until they have fully grown feathers and can fly with their parents to find food and join the flock.
2. Where Do Scarlet Macaws Live?
As a species native to Central and South America, in the wild, they live in dense tropical rainforests, where they can easily find food, breed, and survive.
The distribution range of the Scarlet Macaw extends from the extreme southeastern part of Mexico to the Amazon Basin in Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, and Bolivia. They prefer living in dense forests or fields at altitudes of 500 meters or higher.
3. How Much Does a Scarlet Macaw Cost?
Scarlet Macaws are considered one of the most beautiful and intelligent parrot species. Therefore, their market price is not cheap and is considered expensive in Vietnam.
The price of a Scarlet Macaw ranges from approximately 800,000 – 2,000,000 VND per bird. However, this price is for newly hatched young birds. Fully grown, trained, and beautiful Scarlet Macaws can cost between 5,000,000 to over 10,000,000 VND per bird. Thus, the price depends heavily on the bird's age, with young birds being cheaper and mature ones being much more expensive.
Other factors affecting the price include age, size, color, gender, and feather quality. Particularly beautiful or rare birds can cost tens of millions, and sometimes even hundreds of millions of dong.
4. What Do Scarlet Macaws Eat?
In the wild, their primary diet consists of seeds such as millet, sunflower seeds, chestnuts, rice, and corn. They also eat ripe, juicy fruits and young leaves. Occasionally, they supplement their diet with insects, crickets, and grasshoppers to gain additional minerals.
In captivity, you can feed them specialized bird food and supplement their diet with minerals to help them grow effectively.
5. Tips for Raising and Caring for Scarlet Macaws
If you're interested in raising a Scarlet Macaw, the following tips can help you care for them more effectively:
5.1. Choosing a Bird
Choosing the right bird is crucial for successful breeding. If you have time, choose a young bird to raise, which can be more fun and affordable. However, if you don't want to spend a lot of time caring for them, choose an adult bird.
When selecting a bird, choose a reputable source, such as a large bird farm or a well-known pet store. Choose a bird with smooth feathers, vibrant colors, good health, and without leg or wing deformities, as this will make care easier.
5.2. Cage
Being one of the largest parrot species, you should provide a large cage to ensure a comfortable environment for them. A cage size of approximately 150x120x120 cm is standard, but the bigger, the better. Choose a cage made from rust-resistant metal, ensuring safety and aesthetics.
You can also tether adult birds with a metal chain if they are tame and don’t fly away, but this method is only for well-trained birds.
5.3. Food Their diet in captivity should consist of 70-75% parrot seed mixes, supplemented with fresh vegetables, fruits, and live foods such as birdworms and insects. For young birds, mix hard seeds with warm water to soften them, making it easier to feed them by hand.