Hybrid Macaws & Mutations

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The Practice of Hybridization

Cross-breeding a bird with a different species of birds produces hybrids. Many aviculturists frown upon this practice as they feel that it is detrimental to the purity of bloodlines.

Hybrids are typical macaws, with the only difference from true species being their genetics and their colors. They tend to have intermediate characteristics between the parents', though the appearance seems to be influenced more by the father's genes.

Common hybrids include:

• Harlequins (Ara ararauna x chloroptera) and
• Catalinas (known as Rainbows in Australia, A. ararauna x macao).

Mutations

Color Mutations are still considered "pure" birds. They occur in nature, although rarely and if they do, they often don't survive long, if the "new color" is too vibrant and they are easily visible by predators.

Color mutations in captivity are perpetuated by breeding like colored birds to like colored birds (of two birds that carry the color gene). The resultant offspring will often be the color that is desired.

• Blue and Gold Mutation Photos

Hybrid Macaw Types

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Macaw ownership generally presents multiple challenges, such as excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior beforean undesirable behavior has been established. Undisciplined macaws will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires.

They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable. Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation. Not everybody can tolerate the natural loud call of a macaw and even though it can't (or should not) be entirely eliminated, there are ways to discourage screaming / screeching in your pet macaw.

Overall, it is important to guide parrot behavior, but even more so if your feathered family member is a magnificent and powerful macaw.

• AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.


• If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
  
  • the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
    • Stop Biting
    • Perform Tricks &
    • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
  • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets,please visit the following websites for information:

• Macaw General Information


• Procuring your Parrot


• The 3 Key Elements to Keep Your Pet Bird Happy & Healthy


• Housing Your Bird


• Bird Nutrition

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