Our macaws, Kasimir and Dotje, are a cross between two colorful macaw species. This colorful species does not occur in the wild, but both of its ancestors, the blue and green wing macaw do. In the forests of Paraguay and Brazil, among others, they fly around in large groups. The macaws at Hof van Eckberge, on the other hand, love to sit quietly on a branch with a walnut. You can hear them squawking from afar!
General information harlequin macaw
Scientific name: Ara chloropterus x Ara ararauna
Harlequin macaws are parrots that evolved from 2 species, the green-winged macaw and the blue-yellow macaw. The Harlequin macaw species has been bred by humans. The harlequin macaw is green/blue in color on its wings, a green head, orange breast and long yellow, blue and green tail feathers. They have a very strong beak, it is black underneath and black/ivory on top. They use this to climb and also to crack nuts, for example.
More about the harlequin macaw
Habitat harlequin macaw
The Harlequin Macaw was bred by humans and this hybrid does not normally occur in the wild. The blue-yellow macaw and the green-winged macaw live in the forests of the tropical part of South America of Panama, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. They often fly in larger groups of birds and rest high in the trees.
Appearance of harlequin macaw
| Weight |
900 to 1300 grams |
| Age |
Macaws can live up to 80 years |
| Length |
Up to about 45 cm |
| Gender |
The male has red feathers above the beak |
Propagation
Little is yet known about the breeding season of macaws in the wild. It is thought to be from November to March. After three to four years, the animals are sexually mature. The male and female groom each other's plumage more often than outside the breeding season and grab each other's beaks a little more often. In addition, the male feeds the female regularly. These macaws make their nests in tall hollow trees. Macaws are monogamous, so they form a pair for life.
Incubation time is about five weeks and they lay two to three elliptical eggs about the size of a pigeon egg once or once in 2 years. The female usually incubates the eggs. The birth weight of the naked young is about 120 grams and the young is 6 - 7 cm tall. The male looks for food and brings it to the female. He transports it in his crop and regurgitates it on the nest edge for her. After 4 weeks, the eyes open and the first dorsal and tail feathers emerge. It takes about ten weeks for the macaw to be fully feathered. After six months, the young are as large as their parents. The young macaws stay in the nest for about four months. After the young have fledged, they are still regularly fed by their parents.
Food in nature
In nature, the macaw eats various fruits, nuts, young buds of plants and trees, seeds, tree bark and nectar.
Food at Hof van Eckberge
With us, Harlequin macaws are fed pellets (small pellets containing all the necessary nutrients), fruits, nuts and seeds.
Did you know that...?
- The Harlequin Macaw has 4 toes on each paw that allow it to climb and hold fruit/nuts?
- The Harlequin Macaw is very playful, has a gentle and inquisitive nature and has the intelligence level of a toddler?
- When aroused, the pupils enlarge and contract and the cheeks turn blush red?
- They easily bite through a broomstick in a short time?
- The Harlequin Macaw squawks at the slightest hint from its natural behavior to scare away any attackers? This sound can be heard a mile away!
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