Scarlet macaws have long been prized for their beauty and personality. Lively and intelligent, they are easy to train - a favorite choice for people who would like a bird that will readily pick up on playful games and interactive tricks.
However, like most great performers, they can be a little overbearing: Boisterous to a fault, they can be extremely loud. They can also be destructive and when provoked can occasionally be nippy. While some do learn to speak, and can be excellenet talkers, most macaws have limited ability to mimic like an African Grey or Amazon would be able to do.
Scarlet Macaws are playful and love to chew, therefore they need toys and lots of them - especially wooden blocks and branches from non-toxic trees. Our All Macaws line of toys is perfect for your Scarlet Macaw.
Life expectancy in the Macaws is anywhere from 40-80 years. Scarlets average life expectancy is approximately 50 years, making this particular bird a long term friend and member of your family.

Also known as Red and Yellow Macaws or Ara macao, the birds have an extensive range throughout most of the Amazon basin of tropical South America. South American scarlets have green tips on yellow wing coverts. The largest and most striking scarlets are found in Nicaragua - a population which was recently described as a subspecies - and have little or no green on the wing. The All Macaws breeding stock are of the Nicaraguan subspecies, making our Scarlet Macaws some of the most beautiful specimens on the market today.
In the wild, Scarlets inhabit lowland tropical forest and woodlands, feeding on fruits - especially palm nut fruits, nuts and buds. They nest in cavities, especially in large soft wood trees. Usually, they fly in pairs or small family groups but sometimes in flocks of up to 25.

Appearance
Scarlets are among the largest parrots (32-38 inches), with tails that are often as long as their bodies and large, strong beaks. Scarlets are a brilliant red with yellow coverts on the wings and dark blue flight feathers. They are distinguished from the similar green-winged macaw by size (greenwings are bigger), by the color of the wing coverts (small feathers that cover a particular area of the bird), and by the lack of facial feathers. The naked facial skin is white with no feather lines. The tail is long and tapered. The under tail coverts and rump patch are blue. Immature birds have dark eyes that change over time from black to gray to white to yellow, which is one of the ways you can estimate the bird’s age.

Feeding
All macaws need plenty of energy for good health. Many of their natural foods - especially palm nuts - are rich in oils and high in calories. Scarlets should be fed a well balanced diet, including a top quality seed and nut mix, which should be supplemented daily with fresh fruits and vegetables. Your bid will be consuming as much as his/her body weight daily, and should always be offered fresh, cool water several times a day (don't forget to wash the bowl! I'd hate drinking out of a dirty glass.. wouldn't you?)

Grooming
Routine bathing or showering is vital to maintaining good plumage and skin condition. Birds can be misted and allowed to dry in a warm room or in the sun, or dried with a blow drier with a diffuser attachment on LOW heat (being very careful and staying far away from the birds body). An ideal way to bathe macaws is to put them in a cage outside, sprinkle them with the hose, and allow them to dry in the sun. Since macaws are strong fliers, most primary flight feathers (10 feathers closest to the tip of the wing) should be clipped to prevent flight. Clip only enough so the bird will glide to the floor.

Housing
Scarlet Macaws, just like all large macaws, need a large cage that provides for vigorous wing flapping and plenty of tail space to be comfortable and healthy. Toy space is necessary as well, so be sure to include the large toy selection they will need when considering your cage choice. We recommend the Kings #406 cage as a minimum for your macaw, however as with all birds, we recommend providing the largest cage you have space for and would highly encourage you to consider the Kings #506 cage sizing for your macaw.