Blue throats ONLY have the colors yellow and blue, nothing else. Please refer to image to the right - where a Blue-throated Macaw is featured at the bottom, and the Blue and Gold is above. They can learn a vocabulary of around 20 words and phrases. Blue and gold macaws are active birds. They are indeed one of the more recognizable birds in the world and a popular pet for people who can handle a large parrot that demands attention. In the wild, blue and gold macaws enjoy a wide range from Panama in Central America, extending into almost every country of northern South America. The above picture is of two blue throated macaws; Bonnie and Jinx. BirdTricks is a husband-wife team; Dave and Jamieleigh Womach specialize in parrot training and companionship. The bird should also get a high-quality pelleted diet with some healthy seeds, such as flax, hemp, and chia. Given the clarity of their voice, many people consider them one of the best talking parrots. White patches of skin adorned with rings of tiny black feathers surround their eyes and cover much of the face. The differences in the face in particular are quite evident. Blue throated macaw This is Jinx again (blue throat) and you can see that he has no other colors in his plumage but simply yellow and blue. The Blue-throated Macaw resembles the Blue-and-yellow Macaw. This bird is prone to developing nutritional disorders like obesity, fatty liver disease, and fatty tumors. These birds cost about $1,000 to $2,000. Breeders are readily available, and their prevalence makes them one of the more affordable large parrots. Adult Blue-throated macaws have yellow irises and the juveniles have brown irises. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. This bird is a monomorphic species, meaning males and females are barely distinguishable from each other. Macaws may be long-lived birds, but, like all parrots, they are prone to a viral infection called macaw wasting syndrome and overgrown beaks. Avoid many nut treats; these are high in fat. Owners should provide a minimum of 2 to 3 hours of playtime outside of the cage each day so that the bird can stretch and exercise its muscles. Their heads, backs, and outsides of wings and tails are the same blue color, while the sides of their faces and chests are a bright yellow-gold. Learn all about blue-throated macaws and see them for yourself in the La Selva section of the Zoo. Like most macaws, the blue and gold thrives on attention from its owner and will form a strong bond with its family members. They're a popular headliner at bird shows, and many owners may even take them out around town with the help of bird leashes and car seats. Their sociability and even, sweet disposition makes blue and gold macaws a great pet. Never feed avocado, chocolate, or rhubarb; these foods are toxic to birds. Healthy vegetables include carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and leafy greens. A bird gets satisfaction upon breaking things open or pulling them apart. The Blue-throated can be identified by its blue throat patch, reddish facial skin and entirely blue wings. These birds have powerful jaw muscles. The blue-throated macaw, also known as the Caninde macaw or Wagler’s macaw, is a macaw endemic to a small area of north-central Bolivia, known as Los Llanos de Moxos. They love to climb, swing, bounce, and chew. Wild blue and golds are an endangered species. Their intelligence, willingness to learn, and talking ability are a plus. On the face of the Blue-throated macaw there is a sparsely feathered patch of skin near the base of the bill that has 5-6 horizontal stripes of blue feathers; these are unique for every Blue-throated macaw and can be used to individually identify adults. Blue-throated macaws get their name from the vivid blue coloration covering their throat and are often called barba azul in Spanish, meaning “blue beard.”. They are not the best choice for those who live in apartments and condominiums or if you have small children who are startled by noise. These are the Bolivian blue and gold macaw, a larger bird with more of an actual blue coloring than the typical turquoise, and the blue-throated macaw, which has a teal blue throat instead of a black throat. In this picture you can see the distinguishing marks I’m talking about on the blue and gold. Purchase a blue and gold macaw from a reputable breeder or adoption agency. Some online sources where you can find blue and gold macaws include: Make sure that the bird you want to take home is alert, active, and exhibits all the signs of a healthy bird, such as bright eyes, clean feathers, and full crops. Another consideration before you commit to getting this bird is the cost of ownership. So I decided I’d write this on their differences! Alyson is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience working professionally with birds, and over 3 years as a veterinary technician. They have also been introduced in Puerto Rico. Blue and golds typically live in the forests near rivers and swamps, though they can be found in a grassy savannah if it has tall trees. They typically have a green forehead, fading into a teal blue that covers the nape, back, tail, and wings. Blue-throated macaws are often mistaken for the Blue and Gold macaw. Although these birds look a lot like blue-and-gold macaws, they have a higher-pitched voice and, of course, a blue throat! info@birdtricks.com, contacts us | info@birdtricks.com | (833) 727-7686. You can feed it once in the morning upon waking and at dusk before it goes to sleep. Photo by Dave Location: Waynesboro, VA Macaws: Camelot macaws "Comet" & "Tusa", blue throated macaw "Jinx" Recently I was asked what kind of personality differences I’ve noticed in the macaws I’ve worked with, and I thought it would make an interesting blog … Many believed that the male has a flatter head, and the female has a narrower beak; the only way to prove the sex of this macaw is through surgical or genetic sexing. In the wild, most macaws, including blue-and-gold macaws, eat a variety of seeds, plant material, fruits, and nuts. Since 1935, the blue and golds have been bred successfully in the U.S. Much of their population decline in the wild has been due to habitat destruction, hunting, and trapping. As an occasional training treat, offer nuts like macadamias, walnuts, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts. The main distinguishing marks are plumage differences as well as size differences.