How to Find out What Kind of Macaw I Have

Assess the size of your macaw. There are 11 species of regular or "large" macaws and six that are considered dwarf or mini-macaws. While the sizes of larger macaw species vary, dwarf macaw species' total length is generally less than 20 inches. In fact, if you had a dwarf macaw you may not even recognize it as a full-grown macaw at all -- you may simply think it is a young macaw.

Gauge the brilliance of your pet's plumage. The brightest-colored macaws are primarily from the genus Ara and include: blue and gold macaws, which are a brilliant blue with a gold or bright yellow chest. Blue and gold macaws are one of the most commonly seen pet macaws because of their relatively inexpensive cost and sweet-natured personalities. They can reach 34 inches in length and are generally easy to train to talk. Green-winged macaws are a bright red with multicolored wings. Green-wings are often confused with similar scarlet macaws -- the difference is that green-wings have green feathers across their backs, while the scarlet varieties have a band of yellow feathers on their backs. Often called the gentle giant, green-wings are sweet-tempered and affectionate and can reach up to 35.5 inches in length. Scarlet macaws are bright red with multicolored plumage and a band of yellow feathers across their wings and backs.

Determine if the color of the macaw's feathers are more subdued. The military macaw has a green body, multicolored (usually blue) wings, and a red cap on its head. Buffon's macaws are similar in color to the military macaw, but their green feathers are usually a bit lighter and brighter. Buffon's macaws are actually highly endangered in the wild and are quite rare as pets. Friendly even when kept in pairs, Buffon's macaws are also known as great green macaws".

Observe the colors to determine whether your macaw may be from a species that is very rare. Red-fronted macaws have green bodies with red on their foreheads and cheeks. They are the smallest of the large macaws, often reaching only 24 inches in length. Blue-throated macaws are similar in color to blue and gold Macaws, but have greenish-aqua bodies and a blue band across their throats. Hyacinth macaws are the largest of the macaws and can reach a whopping 37 inches when mature. They have a brilliant blue color all over with bright yellow rings around their eyes and a bright yellow patch next to their beaks.Lear's macaws (sometimes called blue or indigo macaws) are very similar in coloration to the hyacinth macaw but are a bit more muted in hue. Critically endangered in the wild, Lear's macaws cannot be legally kept as pets. Glaucous and Spix's macaws are both very rare both in the wild and as pets. They are mostly seen only in conservation programs or private collections.

Deduce that your macaw may be a hybrid macaw if it does not seem to fit any of the other criteria. Hybrid macaws are quite controversial, with some people claiming that they muddy the pure bloodlines of typical macaw species, while others consider them healthier, friendlier and more beautiful than typical macaws. There are a wide variety of macaw hybrids, with different color variations and personalities. Hybrid macaws do not exist in the wild.