Blue and Gold Macaw

Lifespan

A multi-decade commitment

Size

Very large parrot

Noise Level

High; powerful calls should be expected

Experience Level

Best for owners prepared for a very large parrot

About the Blue & Gold Macaw

Blue & Gold Macaws are active, expressive, and often highly social. They can be affectionate and playful, but their size and beak strength require confident, respectful handling and careful household planning.

A young macaw benefits from positive-reinforcement training that encourages step-up behavior, stationing, independent play, calm handling, and appropriate interaction with multiple people.

Their calls can be extremely loud. Noise should be evaluated honestly before bringing one into apartments, shared housing, or noise-sensitive neighborhoods.

Diet & Nutrition

  • Use a balanced formulated diet suitable for large parrots as the core of the feeding plan.
  • Provide vegetables, leafy greens, and limited fruit.
  • Use nuts and seeds thoughtfully as measured enrichment or training rewards.
  • Encourage natural foraging by dividing food among safe puzzle feeders and multiple locations.
  • Monitor weight and body condition with an avian veterinarian.

Housing & Safety

  • Provide a very large, durable cage with enough height and depth to protect the long tail and permit natural movement.
  • Use strong hardware, safe bar spacing, multiple heavy-duty perches, and a substantial play stand.
  • Plan for supervised daily out-of-cage exercise in a bird-safe room.
  • Protect wiring, furniture, doors, trim, and household items from the destructive force of a macaw’s beak.
  • Use a secure carrier for travel and veterinary visits.

Enrichment, Exercise & Training

  • Provide large destructible toys, untreated wood, foraging tasks, climbing opportunities, and regular training.
  • Rotate toys before boredom develops while retaining some familiar items for security.
  • Teach cooperative handling without encouraging rough play that could become unsafe.
  • Provide daily social contact while also teaching healthy independent play.
  • Use calm routines, predictable sleep, and consistent boundaries.

Is a Blue & Gold Macaw Right for You?

A Blue & Gold Macaw is best for a household with substantial space, high noise tolerance, a realistic budget, strong training commitment, and the ability to plan for decades of care.

It may not be a good fit for homes with limited space, noise restrictions, fragile furnishings, or insufficient time for daily interaction and supervision.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Blue & Gold Macaws loud?

Yes. They can produce extremely powerful calls, particularly at certain times of day or when excited.

Can Blue & Gold Macaws talk?

Some learn words and phrases, but speech varies by individual and should never be guaranteed.

How much space do they need?

They require a very large, durable cage, a substantial play stand, and regular supervised exercise in a bird-safe area.

Are they good family birds?

They can be affectionate and social companions in prepared households, but their size, voice, strength, and long lifespan require careful planning.

What should a Blue & Gold Macaw eat?

A balanced formulated large-parrot diet is generally used as the foundation, with bird-safe vegetables, smaller portions of fruit, and measured nuts or seeds.

Interested in a Blue & Gold Macaw?

Contact Parrots & Company for current availability, individual bird information, and help preparing the right home.

View Available Birds
Call 203-348-1422

This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individualized advice from an avian veterinarian. Species tendencies do not predict every individual bird.

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