Macaws 101

Dec 10th 2009

Name: Macaw

Description: In addition to being possibly the most beautiful bird on the planet, macaws are also active, affectionate, playful, intelligent and engaging. There are many varieties of macaws, including scarlet macaws, blue and gold macaws, military macaws, and hyacinth macaws, according to exoticbird.com. Additionally, you can choose the rarer mini macaws, with species like Hahn's, noble, and yellow-collared, according to About.com.

Grooming: There are three primary types of grooming for which a macaw owner is responsible, according to PetPlace.com. First, bathing or showering can be done indoors by misting the bird with warm water and allowing them to dry in a warm area, or, on a warm day, by sprinkling them inside their cage with the hose and letting the sun dry them.

Clipping a macaw's wings will keep them calmer and easier to take outdoors. Make sure you know what you're doing before beginning to clip; clipping a blood feather can cause serious blood loss, while clipping too much, too little, or unevenly can also be major problems.

Finally, routine nail clipping is necessary.