If you want to adopt a bird as a pet, then you can’t get more popular than parrots. They are highly intelligent, lovable, and boast an array of beautiful colors which makes them a great option.
However, believe it or not, there are around 350 different types of parrots that you can choose from.
These species are different depending on their appearance or environment, among many other factors, so choosing which one is best for you is never as easy as simply choosing the first one you see.
One of the most popular kinds of parrot is the Macaw, which is one of the most colorful variations that are defined by their long tails and are among the most sought-after types of parrots all over the world. There are 19 known different species of Macaws with two of them now being extinct.
In this article, we’ll be taking you through the 19 different types of Macaw with some interesting facts that are worth knowing as well as including pictures, so you can see the visible differences.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to decide which kind of Macaw is perfect for you whether you are making your decision purely based on appearance, intelligence, environment, or a combination of factors.
19 Types of Macaw
Here are the different species of Macaw that you should know about:
Blue-Headed Macaw
The first kind of Macaw to discuss is the Blue-Headed Macaw which boasts a blue head (as stated in their name) and a beautiful green body.
They are found in various locations across South America including Western Brazil, North-Western Bolivia, and Eastern Peru.
The Blue-Headed Macaw lives for an average of 40 years which makes them the perfect choice for those who are looking for a parrot that is going to live for a long time.
The Blue-Headed Macaw tends to measure between 15 and 16 inches in length and weigh between 10 and 11 ounces making them one of the smaller species of Macaw.
Another great thing about the Blue-Headed Macaw is that they are one of the quieter species, meaning that they are ideal for those who want to adopt a parrot, but don’t want all the noise that comes along with it.
Blue-Throated Macaw
The Blue-Throated Macaw is a yellow and blue Macaw that has a distinctive blue coloring around its throat.
One of the longest-living Macaws, the Blue-Throated Macaws can live up to 80 years which makes them an ideal companion for those looking for a lifelong pet.
They are native to Bolivia and can grow up to 3 feet in length with a total weight of 2 pounds meaning that they are a larger species of Macaw than most.
Even though they are quite large, the Blue-Throated Macaw isn’t loud or boisterous like a lot of other Macaws as they have a more reclusive and shy personality.
However, they do require a larger amount of space due to their size, so it’s important to make sure that you are able to accommodate this.
Blue-Winged Macaw
The Blue-Winged Macaw is another Macaw that has a green body, but as the name suggests, is identified by the blue coloring on its wings. It also has hints of yellow and red dotted throughout the body making it a vibrant and colorful Macaw species.
The Blue-Winged Macaw is native to Brazil and can mainly be found within the evergreen forests, living for an average of 50 to 60 years.
The Blue-Winged Macaw is a smaller variation of the Macaw as they tend to measure between 14 and 17 inches in length and weigh around 9 ounces while boasting a friendly and playful nature that makes them great companions for those with smaller homes who want to adopt a parrot.
Blue and Yellow Macaw
The Blue and Yellow Macaw is one of the more traditional-looking Macaws when it comes to thinking about what a parrot, specifically a Macaw, looks like.
Their body is blue and yellow as stated in their name, and they measure between 2.5 and 3 feet in length, weighing between 2 and 2.5 pounds making them one of the larger variations of the Macaw.
Due to their larger size, it is important that you make sure that you have an adequate amount of space to house the Macaw before adopting it, so it can have the best quality of life.
They are also one of the most high-maintenance types of Macaw due to their size.
The Blue and Yellow Macaw is native to both Central and South America and have an average lifespan of 30 to 35 years, while also boasting a sweet and social personality making them a great option to adopt.
Chestnut-Fronted Macaw
The Chestnut-Fronted Macaw is a unique-looking Macaw as it has a green body like a lot of other Macaws, but its chest is a chestnut and red color which is rare among the Macaw species.
They are native to Northern South America and can be found in a number of different areas within this location, boasting a lifespan between 30 and 80 years which is dependent on their environment and health concerns.
They are a smaller species of Macaw as they only measure around 18 inches in length while weighing approximately 12 ounces.
The Chestnut-Fronted Macaw has a friendly personality which makes them a great option for families looking to adopt a Macaw as they love to socialize. They bond quickly with humans who take care of them.
Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw is another unique Macaw that is defined by its grayish-blue appearance and large bark which has made them a popular choice among those looking to adopt a parrot.
They are native to Paraguay and tend to be found in the subtropical gallery forests. They are a larger species of Macaw, measuring around 3 feet in length and weighing between 2.5 to 4 pounds, meaning that you need to make sure that you have plenty of space in your home to accommodate the Macaw.
You’ll also need to ensure that you have all the cleaning supplies and food needed to maintain and take care of your Macaw.
The Glaucous Macaw’s personality is loving and gentle, even though its appearance may initially seem dominating or frightening at first. This means that they are a great option for adoption as they make great companions.
Golden-Collared Macaw
The Golden-Collared Macaw has a beautiful green body that is decorated with a golden colored collar that makes them look majestic and gorgeous.
They are native to Central America and are another example of a small Macaw species as they are 15 inches in length and tend to weigh between 8 and 10 ounces, making them a great choice for those with a smaller space without compromising their quality of life.
They also have an average lifespan of around 50 years, making them a great long-term companion.
The Golden-Collared Macaw has an affectionate nature and a mischievous personality which makes them a highly observant species of Macaw and a great choice for those who want a pet with a great personality.
Great Green Macaw
The Great Green Macaw is defined by its vibrant green body which is speckled with shades of blue and red, making them wonderfully colorful and popular among those looking to adopt a parrot.
They are native to a variety of locations within South America including Colombia, Costa, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Rica. They have an average lifespan of 50 years, but this can be increased to 70 years depending on their environment and quality of life.
They are an exceptionally large species of Macaw as they measure around 3 feet and weigh approximately 3 pounds making them one of the heaviest Macaws.
The Great Green Macaw is a highly social Macaw that tends to travel in small groups meaning that it is ideal that you adopt them in at least pairs if you can.
Hyacinth Macaw
The Hyacinth Macaw is defined by its all-blue body which makes it a captivating choice and a popular species of Macaw. The blue shade is vibrant and deep which is complemented by a yellow outline that surrounds the mouth and eyes.
They are a large Macaw as they tend to measure between 3 and 3.5 feet in length and a heavier type of Macaw as they weigh between 2.5 and 4 pounds which means that you definitely need to ensure that you have the space and capability to take care of them as they are extremely high maintenance.
They live for an average of 50 years, meaning that they are an exceptional companion and are native to various locations within South America.
The Hyacinth Macaw may be a large species of Macaw, but they are known for their gentle nature and are extremely calm and loving in their nature. This makes them ideal for those who are wanting to adopt a parrot that is more chilled, making them suitable for families.
Lear’s Macaw
The Lear’s Macaw is one of the most attractive Macaws and is known for its dark blue coloring which has made it extremely popular.
They are native to Brazil and tend to live in shrublands among large groups as they are extremely social creatures. They have an average lifespan of 50 years which makes them a suitable long-term companion.
The Lear’s Macaw measures between 2.5 to 3 feet in length and weighs around 2 to 2.5 pounds, while boasting a confident personality that means that they can be quite noisy. Make sure that you have plenty of space to accommodate them as they are a larger variety of Macaw.
Military Macaw
The Military Macaw is filled with beautiful colors and can be found in many locations throughout Central and South America.
They can be found in a variety of different environments such as canyons, lowland forests, and wooded foothills. They have an average lifespan of around 60 years and are one of the largest species of Macaws as they measure between 3 and 3.5 feet in length and weigh between 2 and 2.5 pounds.
Therefore, they are only suitable for adoption for those with larger spaces in order to ensure that they are comfortable.
Despite their aggressive-sounding name, Military Macaws have good and tame natures. They do need to be exposed to a lot of room and space due to their larger size, but if you are able to accommodate them comfortably, you’ll find that they make great companions.
Red-Bellied Macaw
The Red-Bellied Macaw is identified by its blue and green coloring while the belly is red meaning that they are highly vibrant and colorful. They are native to various locations in South America, especially in the tropical Amazonian locations throughout the continent.
The Red-Bellied Macaw is a similar Macaw to the Golden-Collared Macaw in terms of its size and weight as it tends to measure around 18 inches in length while weighing an average of 11 ounces.
They are one of the rarest types of Macaw as their number is greatly decreasing in the wild, meaning that they are hard to source but not completely impossible to find.
The Red-Bellied Macaw’s personality is that they are known for being extremely loving and active, especially when they are taken care of by their humans. It’s important that you engage with your parrot on a daily basis in order to improve their quality of life and ensure their happiness.
Red-Fronted Macaw
The Red-Fronted Macaw has a green body that is broken up thanks to the red coloring on the front. They are native to Bolivia and other mountainous areas within the South-Central parts of the country.
They are on the larger size as they are 2 feet in length and weigh approximately a pound meaning that you need to make sure that you have plenty of room and space to accommodate the parrot.
The Red-Fronted Macaw are known for their mischievous nature and is known for being extremely animated, making them highly curious and observant.
This means that they are the perfect choice for those looking for a highly personable and social pet that is guaranteed to show you plenty of affection.
Red-Shouldered Macaw
The Red-Shouldered Macaw is one of the most attractive species of Macaw which has made it one of the most popular types of parrot that people wish to adopt.
They have a green body like most Macaws, but are identified by their shoulders which are a vibrant red color.
The Red-Shouldered Macaw is native to Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela and can be found among the Savannahs, swamps, and tropical lowlands.
They measure around 12 inches in length and weigh between 5 and 6 ounces meaning that they are a smaller variety of Macaw. Their average lifespan tends to be between 40 and 50 years.
The Red-Shouldered Macaw are known for their charm and intelligent natures that make them a great choice for adoption and are certainly worth checking out. Bear in mind that they are highly in demand, so they can be difficult to find.
Red and Green Macaw
The Red and Green Macaw is a Macaw that is easily identifiable thanks to the color scheme mentioned in its name.
They are native to Central America and can be found in plenty of woodlands and forests, making them an extremely common species of Macaw.
They are a larger species of Macaw as they measure around 3 feet in length and weigh between 2.5 and 3 pounds so make sure that you have plenty of space to provide it with the best quality of life.
The Red and Green Macaw are known for their long lifespan and can live to an average of 70 years making them an ideal choice for those looking for a parrot that will live for a long period of time.
Their personality is extremely affectionate and tame meaning that they are easy to take care of and ensure that they are a suitable and friendly option for families.
Scarlet Macaw
The Scarlet Macaw boasts an array of different colors including blue, red, and yellow, but red in particular is present throughout the body, hence the name. The vibrant appearance of the Scarlet Macaw is what has made it a popular and widely sought-after species of Macaw.
One of the larger Macaw species, the Scarlet Macaw measure around 3 feet in length and weighs between 2 and 3 pounds, meaning that you need to ensure that you have plenty of space.
The Scarlet Macaw is native to South America and has a lifespan average of 50 years making them great companions.
The Scarlet Macaw’s personality is energetic and lively, and they are known as rebellious, especially when they don’t get what they want. Despite this, their energetic personality means that they make great pets and a wonderful companion.
Spix’s Macaw
The last Macaw option that you have is the Spix’s Macaw which is similar to the Scarlet Macaw in terms of their size and is identifiable by its vibrant blue coloring and 2-foot length.
They tend to weigh around one pound and are known as the “Little Blue Macaw”, even though they are not actually that small.
They are slightly smaller than the Scarlet Macaw, but still, require plenty of space to thrive and have the best quality of life.
The Spix’s Macaw is native to Brazil and has an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years, making them a great companion. In terms of personality, they are among the more noisy and energetic parrots that love being social and receiving attention.
This means that they are great for those who want a lively pet, but they are not suitable for those in quieter communities.
Cuban Macaw
Rounding off this list, we’ll also be discussing the species of Macaw that are sadly extinct. As previously mentioned there are two extinct species of Macaw and the first of these is the Cuban Macaw.
As the name suggests, they were native to Cuba, but they have been extinct since the 19th century. They were defined by their distinctive colors boasting a flurry of blue, red, and yellow, making it one of the unique types of Macaw.
Unfortunately, a slew of capturing, hunting, and deforestation led to their eventual extinction they could not recover.
However, there is plenty of recorded information so have been able to learn a lot about them even though they have been extinct for hundreds of years.
The Cuban Macaw was estimated to be between 18 and 20 inches in length, weighed up to 12 ounces, and was thought to be extremely intelligent and social as they tended to travel in groups.
Martinique Macaw
The last Macaw on our list is the second extinct species which is the Martinique Macaw which originated from the Lesser Antillean island of Martinique and was known to have an orange belly, making it easily identifiable.
The specific time when they became extinct is not known exactly, but it is thought that they became extinct around the 17th century meaning that they have been gone for a long time.
There have been some descriptions of the Martinique Macaw recorded such as Jacques Bolton’s description from the 1630s which has allowed a theory that they weighed up to 12 ounces and measured between 15 and 20 inches in length.
The Martinique Macaw’s personality is hard to determine because they have been extinct for hundreds of years, but it’s safe to assume that they would have been lively and outgoing creatures as parrots usually are especially Macaws.
Conclusion
So there you have it! No matter what type of Macaw you adopt, you’re guaranteed to be thrilled with your decision thanks to the beauty and intelligence that these birds have.
Not only do they have a variety of great qualities, but they also make wonderful pets, so you can’t go wrong with your choice.
Harlan Derricks, nice to meet you. I created this online resource in the hopes of educating more people about the wonders of parrots, including their species, sizes, and more.
But I don’t just want to stop with parrots. I want to give every bird an opportunity to be marveled at and rescued by my education. If just one of my readers learned something valuable about budgies, cockatiels, or parakeets, then I’d be happy with my success.
