Severe Macaw

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment30–40 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Feather plucking · Respiratory issues · Obesity

The Severe Macaw (Ara severus), also called the Chestnut-fronted Macaw, is the largest of the mini macaws, spread across Panama and northern South America. At 320 to 440 grams it fits a normal home in a way the big macaws never will, while keeping the macaw temperament intact: clownish, inventive, bold and endlessly busy. Its unfortunate English name comes from an old translation, not from its character. This is a high-mischief bird. Severes learn to open latches, undo screws and dismantle anything left in reach, so cage locks and a bird-proofed room are practical necessities rather than precautions. They form intense bonds and can become nippy and one-person during adolescence and in hormonal season, which consistent handling by several household members and clear routines will blunt. Noise is real but manageable: far louder than a green-cheeked conure, far quieter than a Blue-and-Gold. House them in the largest flight cage you can fit, with daily out-of-cage climbing time, and give a constant supply of destructible wood, cardboard and foraging puzzles. The diet is a pellet base with fresh vegetables, greens, limited fruit and a small daily portion of nuts. Mini macaws are prone to obesity and fatty liver disease on seed-heavy diets, and to feather plucking when bored, so measured food and genuine enrichment cover most of the health risk. Add an annual avian vet check and expect thirty to forty years of company.

• How much activity does a Severe Macaw need?

  High. Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• How much feather care does a Severe Macaw need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Severe Macaw need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Severe Macaw a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Severe Macaw live?

  30–40 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Severe Macaw?

  Keep an eye out for Feather plucking, Respiratory issues, Obesity. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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