Yellow Collared Macaw

BrokenWing Chronicles
Yellow Collared Macaw
(Propyrrhura auricollis)

The Yellow- Collared Macaw (Ara auricollis) is originally from the center of South America ( SW Brazil, E Bolivia, N. Paraguay and N.Argentina ). These are highly adaptable birds as indicated by the varied eco-systems they inhabit in this home range. These include Rainforest, swamps, dry savannah and the foothills of the Andes Mountains. They have been observed to congregate in flocks of 500+ when roosting for the night outside of the breeding season*. According to Dr. Charles Munn who is currently doing resarch in the area "I have never seen more than 4-6 at a time, though I see them perhaps 5-10 times per day ".In the wild their diet is every bit as varied as is their home range. It consists of fruits, nuts, seeds, green matter, an occasional bug and what ever the local farmer has to offer.

The Yellow- Collared, which is also known as the Yellow-Naped, Gold-Naped or Cassins Macaw can be as large as 17 inches from head to tail. This bird is typical of the group called "Mini Macaws" the primary body color being a bright green with blue flights and red and blue feathers mixed in the tail. What sets the Yellow-Collar apart is the blue-black feathers of the crown the whiteish tip of its beak and of course the yellow collar. It also possesses the bare eye and cheek patch typical of all Macaws.

Up until the early '70s this Macaw was rarely seen in aviculture. In fact outside of a pair that was housed in the London Zoo in the early 1920s little was known about these guys until fairly recently. They are now well established and are the most readily available of the Mini Macaws.

TheYellow-Collared may not be as impressive as thier larger cousins being smaller and lacking the eye catching color of say a Blue and Gold or Green Wing. Don't let that stop you from considering one as a pet though these birds have all the personality of the big boys in a smaller package. They are very good talkers compared to other Macaws. They love to play so lots of sturdy toys are a must. This Macaw has been discribed as being inquisitive and something of a little devil. They have been known to develop the skills of an escape artist so make sure the latches on their cages are sturdy. They can also be agressive towards other birds. So if you have other birds in your home it's best to introduce your Yellow-Collar to them slowly (this is of course after you have kept it isolated for at least 30 days) and see how they react to each other.

The dietary requirements are simple. Give them a varied diet that includes vegetables, seasonal fruits, beans etc. These parrots are adventurous eaters, so let them sample things just about everything is fair game except chocolate and avacados.

Caging requirements are as follows: Wide enough to spread its wings without touching the sides and deep enough so that its tail remains well away from any bars while roosting (to prevent fraying). Good latches to keep it inside the cage until you let it out and plenty of toys.

Yellow Collared Macaw Description

Physical Description

The yellow collar is the second largest mini macaws. It has a yellow ring around its neck and a dark head. The yellow collar increases in brightness and width with age. Mature birds have bright wide bands. They have feather tracks on the bare facial skin below their eyes, as the large macaws do. Each bird's facial feather tracks are just as unique as are people's fingerprints. The birds body is green and the flights are blue. The upper portion of the tail feathers are blue and the bottom half are wine colored. They weigh about 250-280 grams.

Length
17 inches
Ave. Lifespan, can live upwards of 50 years.
Sexing
Undeterminable by appearance
Origin:
The are native to the northern part of South America, with their heaviest concentrations in Bolivia.
Trainability
The yellow collar is an extremely intelligent and trainable pet. They are playful and self entertain. They tend to like a variety of people if well socialized when young and don't tend to be screamers. They, like the other macaws have limited talking ability, but will various words and phrases and will learn to use them appropriately. They love toys and especially love to play in the water.

Temperament:
Affectionate, but somewhat mischievous, the Yellow Collared Macaw has a reputation for being an intelligent and resourceful little parrot. They thrive on attention from their owners, and like other Macaws, will seek that attention by any means necessary. Many Yellow Collared Macaws are little escape artists, so steps should be taken to provide a cage that is safe and secure. Although some are one-person birds, most Yellow Collared Macaws make extraordinary family pets.

Feeding:
Although the range of wild Yellow Collared Macaws is relatively small, it includes several different countries, and provides the birds with a great variety of local fruits, nuts, and vegetation. A pet Yellow Collared Macaw should be fed a diet that is just as varied. Offer these birds a high quality extruded pellet, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Supplement with seeds and nuts to keep the bird healthy and happy.

Exercise:
Yellow Collared Macaws live to play, and must be allowed adequate time out of their cages each day to maintain their physical and mental health. Make sure that a Yellow Collared Macaw gets a minimum of 1 - 2 hours of playtime outside of the cage each day to allow the bird to stretch and exercise its legs, beak, and wings. A sturdy playstand with a place for treats and toys is essential for these playful little acrobats.

Yellow Collared Macaws as Pets:
Charming, crafty, and comical, these little Macaws offer all the personality of a large macaw in a smaller, more affordable, and easier to care for package. They are extremely intelligent, and being easily trained, make a good pet for those interested in owning a Macaw.

Yellow Collared Macaws, like many of the other Mini Macaw species, have a reputation for becoming one person birds if not well socialized when they are young. These birds form strong emotional bonds with their owners, and crave attention and interaction. They are not a good choice for those who do not have several hours a day to devote to some form of socialization.

While it's been noted that Yellow Collared Macaws are generally not as noisy as larger Macaw species, the birds are more than capable of being quite loud when the mood strikes. Because of this, they may not make the best pet for someone who lives in an apartment or condominium. Many Yellow Collared Macaws are gifted talkers, and are capable of saying several words and phrases. Some owners have noted that the Yellow Collared Macaw is able to speak with more clarity than other, larger macaw species. Even so, no parrot is ever guaranteed to talk, and a bird should not be purchased for its talking ability alone.

All in all, the Yellow Collared Macaw is a lively, engaging bird that can make an extraordinary companion for the right owner. Given the right amount of training, discipline, and love, these birds can make loyal and affectionate pets that form deep and long-lasting bonds with their owners. If you are experienced in keeping birds, but would like to try a Macaw, don't overlook this species in favor of a larger or more colorful bird -- interact with a Yellow Collared Macaw, and you will soon see that these little beauties can be larger than life!

BrokenWing