Blue winged macaw (Primolius maracana)

The Blue-winged Macaw, also known as the Maracana Macaw (scientific name Primolius maracana, and sometimes called Illiger’s Macaw in English), is a South American species. Its main distribution ranges across northern Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. From head to tail, its length is about 43 cm, and like other smaller macaw species, its base plumage color is green. A patch of bare skin around the eyes is also characteristic of this species. Due to deforestation and agricultural expansion, their natural habitats are steadily decreasing, which has a significant impact on wild populations. Human activities near their remaining habitats, such as urbanization, further threaten the survival of the species. Due to its continuously declining wild population, the Blue-winged Macaw is listed under CITES Appendix I.

In their diet, they receive a seed mix formulated specifically for macaws. Since they live in a spacious aviary with a connected shelter, there’s no risk of them becoming overweight. Their diet includes a generous amount of oily seeds, such as hazelnuts and crushed walnuts. They are also fed the same soft food as our other large parrots — sprouted seeds, vegetables, and fruits depending on the season. Parrots require specific nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats to support growth, feather health, and overall vitality. A well-balanced diet promotes their well-being, reduces stress and behavioral issues (including adult aggression), and helps prevent various diseases such as liver problems or bone disorders caused by vitamin deficiencies.

I was able to acquire a pair raised by young parents. During the first few weeks, they were quite shy (which is almost always the case with larger parrots), but over time, as they became familiar with the feeding routine and the sounds of the other birds, they quickly grew more confident. They are naturally curious and have an intense need to chew. When they run out of fresh branches to gnaw on, they even go down to the ground to pull up blades of grass, then fly back to the perch to continue shredding them. These are very active birds, so it’s important to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. They never leave each other’s side and do almost everything together — even during their “siesta” time, they preen each other’s feathers.

Breeding the Blue-winged Macaw

My article on the breeding of the Blue-winged Macaw was published in the 2025/1 issue of the Siroki Zoltán Foundation’s journal. I recommend it to everyone who is seriously interested in the breeding of Mini Macaws. The publication is available at www.sirokialapitvany.hu or can be viewed in PDF format by clicking on the file image.

Hand-Reared Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana)

During our years of breeding experience, supported by a background in biology, there have been occasions when a Primolius maracana chick required hand-rearing — for instance, when the clutch was too large, or the parents failed to care properly for the young. In such cases, our goal is not only to ensure the chicks’ survival but also to promote proper socialization with other birds, which greatly influences their future behavior. It is important to understand that the social development of hand-reared birds differs from those raised naturally by their parents. Therefore, we place great emphasis on allowing the chicks to rejoin their own kind as soon as they are fully independent. This way, our hand-reared parrots grow up not only healthy but also well-socialized. Our aim is always to stay as close as possible to natural development patterns, ensuring that even with human involvement, the birds become happy, balanced companions for many years.