Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana) — care & breeding

This breeder’s report was published in the periodic journal of the Siroki Zoltán Foundation.

The first species from the Primolius genus that I was able to acquire was the Primolius maracana (Blue-winged Macaw / Illiger’s Macaw). With the help of a friend, we obtained the first individuals from Slovakia. Both birds were parent-raised, which is especially important for ensuring reliable breeding success in this species. During the first weeks, the pair behaved somewhat shy and cautious, which is perfectly natural in a new environment. This initial timidity quickly disappeared, and the birds soon adapted to the daily routine and to the presence of other parrots. As my aviary is home exclusively to macaw species, they were surrounded by birds with similar behavior and social needs. Keeping them in such a species-appropriate social environment encourages natural social behavior and harmonious cohabitation, which are essential for their long-term well-being and successful breeding.

In the indoor section of the aviary, I designed the row of breeding enclosures in a way that ensures the birds are kept in fully separated visual spaces. This setup prevents them from seeing one another, which is especially important during the breeding season to reduce stress that could arise from visual contact between neighboring pairs. By eliminating these potential stress factors, the birds remain more relaxed and focused on nesting, resulting in a calmer environment and better breeding success.

To make feeding easier and safer, I use swing-out feeding trays, which are both practical and secure for the birds. The nest boxes are installed inside the breeding enclosures and can be inspected through a small access door from the service corridor. This allows the breeding process to be monitored with minimal disturbance to the pair. From autumn to spring, the lighting system is fully automated. The lights turn on at sunrise and remain on for two additional hours after sunset before switching to low-level night lighting, ensuring a natural yet supportive photoperiod for breeding macaws.

During the winter months, I use high-lumen lighting to ensure adequate brightness inside the aviary. This is especially important when cold weather conditions require the macaws to stay indoors for one to two weeks at a time, providing them with optimal light levels that support their overall health and natural activity.

The heating system activates only when the temperature drops below 5°C (41°F). This approach is both energy-efficient and supports the birds’ natural cold adaptation, while still maintaining safe conditions for their health. Whenever daytime temperatures reach 5°C or above, and the weather is sunny, the macaws are allowed to go outside for fresh air and natural sunlight, even during the winter period.

During the construction of the outdoor aviary, the separation of the macaws was also a key priority. At the exits, a one-meter solid barrier prevents the birds from seeing each other, while double wire mesh between the aviaries ensures that even direct physical contact is impossible. This design not only provides calm and stress-free conditions, but also increases safety, preventing accidental injuries or conflicts between breeding pairs. The carefully planned layout greatly contributes to the macaws’ comfort and wellbeing, while also simplifying daily husbandry and monitoring tasks for the keeper.

I divide macaw feeding into two main seasons: the breeding season and the winter resting period. To ensure the most suitable diet, I tested several commercial seed mixes from different manufacturers until I found the one that best meets their nutritional needs. During winter, the diet is enriched with sunflower seeds, walnuts and safflower seeds, providing more caloric and fatty nutrients that support the birds in colder temperatures. In the breeding season, which begins around April–May, I offer a 50–50% ratio of seed mix and soft food daily, supplying the extra protein and vitamins required for egg production and chick rearing.

In addition, during the breeding season the birds receive sprouted seeds daily, which play an important role in stimulating reproduction and maintaining excellent condition. We also supplement their soft food with dedicated vitamin and calcium products on a regular basis. While raising chicks, the parents are provided with soft food twice a day — first in the morning, and again in the afternoon. After the chicks become independent, the amount of soft food is gradually reduced, and once fully weaned, their diet consists mainly of fresh vegetables and fruits, ensuring a balanced and healthy nutrition. During the winter months, both adults and young macaws receive sprouted seeds once per week to maintain condition without overstimulating breeding behavior.

I always aim to provide a varied soft food mix, using seasonal vegetables and fruits. On a daily basis, the macaws receive different types of fresh greens, such as chickweed and dandelion, which offer valuable vitamins and natural enrichment.

When feeding chicks, it is especially important to introduce a wide variety of foods at a young age. This helps prevent selective eating habits later in life. A diverse and balanced diet is essential for maintaining the birds’ long-term health and proper development.

For nesting, I provided the pair with a 30 × 30 cm base and 50 cm high nest box. Although I never observed actual mating, the female laid her first egg within a few days of installing the box. Over the following two weeks, she remained inside the nest box almost continuously, leaving only rarely. Meanwhile, the male stayed close to the nest most of the time, maintaining constant contact with his partner. On May 20, during a routine nest inspection, I found three eggs, two of which successfully hatched and produced healthy chicks.

The first chick hatched on May 27, followed by the second on May 30. Chick rearing progressed smoothly, and the female tolerated nest inspections well, although I always tried to minimize disturbance. Interestingly, in the following year the warmer spring weather resulted in the breeding season starting about a month earlier — the first chick hatched on April 28, closely reflecting the year’s natural seasonal shift.

For leg banding, I used rings with an inner diameter of 9.5 mm, and at the same time a blood sample was collected for DNA sexing to accurately determine the sex of the chicks. Once the chicks began to feather out, the parents spent less and less time inside the nest box, which allowed for stress-free inspections when necessary. What surprised me most was that the parents regularly brought in finely chewed twigs to maintain nest hygiene. Thanks to this natural behavior, the nest remained clean and dry throughout the entire breeding period, and no cleaning was required at any stage.

After fledging, both parents continued to care for their chicks, and they still slept together at night. This ongoing parental support played an important role in helping the young birds become fully independent. In Primolius maracana (Blue-winged Macaw), the expected fledging age is around 11–12 weeks, and weaning typically occurs after a similar amount of time. When the chicks remain with their parents, they may continue to beg for food for a long time, even after they are fully capable of feeding themselves.

Szőke Attila
www.happybirds.hu

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