Hand Fed Catalina Macaw - Ara macao x Ara ararauna

Noise Level & Talking Ability

Can be Loud at times must not be kept in Apartments. Catalina's are capable of speaking quite well though generally not as well as African Greys or Amazon Parrots.

Physical Features 

General plumage rich blue; forehead green; bare lores and cheek area whitish and traversed with several black feather-lines joining at black throat area; ear-coverts, sides of throat, upper breast, abdomen, under tail-coverts and under wing-coverts orange-red; tail upper side blue, underside olive-yellow; bill blackish; iris pale yellowish; feet dark grey. Immature with a shorter tail and dark brown iris.

Pet Profile

Hand-fed baby Catalina Macaws can make sensational pets. They are playful, mischievous, quite intelligent, and often very lovable and loving. However, like all macaws, the Catalina is definitely not for everyone. People contemplating a macaw must think and long and hard about this important decision. Though not usually a "difficult" bird, the Catalina requires a huge commitment of time and energy. In general, this species is not suitable as a "first-time" bird.

The large macaws are, well, large... and need an experienced and confident keeper for acceptable results. A certain amount of strength and stamina is required just to keep up with a raucous, rambunctious macaw, even the more sedate individuals. Many people are intimidated by macaws, as well they perhaps should be. Those powerful beaks are not to be trifled with, for even in play they can inflict some damage. Macaws and small children are generally not a terrific mix, though oftentimes it is the bird that may be more at risk in such pairings. With other pets, the tables may be turned, and unless properly socialized a macaw could easily seriously injure a dog or cat. In most circumstances, smaller birds such as Budgies and Cockatiels should not be allowed near a macaw.

The Catalina, however, has a well-deserved reputation as a pretty laid-back fellow, and if there is a parrot that might well get along famously with the family Golden Retriever, it might be this macaw. When properly socialized as a youngster, these birds will be playful and ever-entertaining members of the family. Catalina can learn tricks and are capable of speaking quite well, though generally not as well as African Greys or Amazon parrots.

With care, these birds may live a human life span, so plan accordingly. A Catalina can be a pet for life, but it will require a lot of its owner, who can expect a clever lifetime companion in return.

Diet

Macaws need more fat in their diet than most parrots, and mixed nuts in the shell are a favorite treat that helps supply this need. Most macaw owners also offer their Catalina a variety of foods including pellets, a high-quality seed mix, various bean and pasta mixes and bird breads, fresh vegetables, fruit, and healthy human foods from the dinner table.

Housing

These macaws, like all large parrots, require lots of wood to chew on and will not distinguish between your house's trim and a piece of two by four, so make sure they have a ready supply of chewing toys.

They should be housed in very large cages which will allow for play, wing-flapping, and other activities to forestall boredom. A cage that does not allow a bird to fully outstretch its wings, with about a foot to spare on either side, is too small. Food, toys, and a variety of fresh (untreated) branches will go a long way toward keeping your macaw happy when it is enclosed in its cage

Breeding Information

This bird is an F1 hybrid of a Scarlet Macaw and Blue and Gold Macaw.