Yellow-collared 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.

• Commitment30–50 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Feather plucking · Respiratory issues · Obesity

The Yellow-collared Macaw (Primolius auricollis) is a compact mini macaw from central South America, weighing only 230 to 280 grams but living thirty to fifty years. It is one of the few macaws that can realistically live in a flat, and it has become popular for exactly that reason: a bird with full macaw intelligence and acrobatics in a body the size of a large conure. Owners describe a bird of strong opinions. Yellow-collareds are affectionate and love to hang upside down and wrestle with hands, but they are also quick to nip when overstimulated or hormonal, and they can be surprisingly loud for their size, especially in the evening. They are highly trainable and take enthusiastically to target training, recall and trick work, which is the best way to channel their energy. They cope poorly with being left alone all day, and many do better with a companion bird. Provide a tall flight cage with wide horizontal bars for climbing, several hours out daily, and a rotation of destructible toys. Feed a pellet base with vegetables, leafy greens and a very small nut allowance, since mini macaws put on weight and fatty liver disease easily. Watch for feather plucking, which in this species is nearly always a symptom of boredom, loneliness or a poor diet rather than a disease, and see an avian vet promptly if it starts, because early intervention works and late intervention often does not.

• How much activity does a Yellow-collared Macaw need?

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

• How much feather care does a Yellow-collared Macaw need?

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

• What cage does a Yellow-collared Macaw need?

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

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

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Yellow-collared Macaw live?

  30–50 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Yellow-collared 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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