5 Fun Facts About Macaws

Macaws are perhaps the most easily recognizable birds in the parrot family Psittacidae. Colorful and entertaining these birds have been kept as pets for hundreds of years. Unlike many other parrots macaws typically have signature patches of bare skin on their faces that can range in size and color.
What is a macaw bird?
Macaws are a popular type of parrot that include 17 different species native to tropical North Central and South America. Identifiable by their large curved beaks and long tail feathers macaw parrots have vibrant colors and a friendly extroverted temperament.

These birds are characters each having different personalities likes and dislikes. Due to their size macaws can be challenging to care for but for the right owners they are loyal companions who are worth the time commitment. Here are a few fun facts about these playful members of the parrot family.
Macaws Are the Largest Parrots
There are more than 400 different types of parrots in the order Psittaciformes and macaws are the largest. Macaws normally weigh between two and four pounds which is fairly hefty for a bird. The largest of the macaws the hyacinth macaw can reach lengths of nearly three and a half feet long from the beak to the tip of the tail. Also they boast an impressive wingspan of up to 60 inches.
There Are Many Macaw Varieties
While macaws are widely known as the largest parrots it is worth noting that there are many different types of macaws that come in a variety of sizes.
The smallest macaws known affectionately as mini macaws sometimes only grow to lengths of 12 inches about the size of a mediumsized conure or large parakeet. No matter how big or small they are all macaws with the exception of the hyacinth macaw share a few common attributes the most prominent being the bare

rings of skin around their eyes. For many people this is the most recognizable trait among macaws.
Macaws Can Live More Than 80 Years
When properly taken care of some macaw species such as blue and gold macaws can live for an average of 60 years and many have been recorded to live for up to 80 years or even more.
Those who are interested in adopting a macaw are strongly cautioned to make sure that they are willing to commit enough time to care for their pet. It is not at all uncommon for these birds to outlive their owners so make