Golden-collared Macaw (Primolius auricollis)

When people think of macaws, they usually imagine the large species. These are indeed the ones most often seen in zoos — such as the Green-winged or the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw. However, there are several smaller species that belong to the group of Mini Macaws. They are roughly half the size of their larger relatives, and for those looking for their first macaw, these birds can be an excellent choice. The Golden-collared Macaw (Primolius auricollis) is also known as the Yellow-collared or Golden-necked Macaw. Like other macaw species, it originates from South America, with its main distribution areas in northern Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Its total body length, from head to tail, is about 38 cm, and — typical for smaller macaws — its basic plumage color is green. It has a bare patch of skin around the eyes, and a distinct yellow band around its neck. The Golden-collared Macaw is listed under CITES Appendix II.

Feeding the Golden-collared Macaw

Golden-collared Macaws (Primolius auricollis) kept in captivity require a varied and well-balanced diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies and maintain good health. Their staple food should consist of a high-quality pelleted diet or seed mix, complemented with fresh vegetables (such as leafy greens, carrots, and peppers) and small portions of fruits (like apples and berries). This combination helps cover their vitamin and mineral needs, although additional vitamin supplements can also be provided if necessary.

Seeds and nuts (such as almonds and walnuts) can also be part of the Golden-collared Macaw’s diet, but they should be offered in moderation, as their high fat content can lead to obesity. However, in our climate, the amount can be slightly increased during the colder winter months to help the birds cope with lower temperatures.

Clean, fresh drinking water must always be available. For Golden-collared Macaws, maintaining a varied diet and proper nutritional balance is especially important, as they can be prone to dietary imbalances and related health issues in captivity if their diet is not sufficiently diverse and well-balanced.

Breeding the Golden-collared Macaw

Adequate space and proper nutrition are essential for successful breeding. It is recommended to pair up the macaws intended for breeding while they are still young, allowing them to bond naturally. Well-matched pairs can continue to breed successfully and remain stable over the long term.

VIDEO Male Golden-collared Macaw courting

For nesting, we use nest boxes measuring 30×30×60 cm. The female usually lays 2–4 eggs, which hatch after approximately 26 days, and the chicks fledge at around 70 days of age. At first, the birds seemed rather shy, and we were curious to see how the breeding would progress. Once they began visiting the nest box regularly and the female laid the first egg, they became much calmer. During feeding, the female never left the nest and remained calm throughout the entire period.

Overall, we can say that the breeding behavior of the Golden-collared Macaw closely resembles that of the Blue-winged (Primolius maracana) Macaw, so no significant adjustments were needed during the nesting period. For ringing the chicks, we use closed rings with an inner diameter of 9.5 mm.

My article on the breeding of the Golden-collared Macaw (Primolius auricollis) was published in the 2025/3 edition of the Siroki Zoltán Foundation journal. I highly recommend it to anyone who is seriously interested in dwarf macaw breeding and professional aviculture. The publication is available at sirokialapitvany.hu or can be viewed in PDF format by clicking on the file preview.