Types of Mini Macaws

With flamboyant coloring and a high level of intelligence, the macaw family contains many familiar pet birds. A mini macaw has a body length of less than 20 inches, but still has the playfulness, curiosity and body shape of a full-size macaw. Of the 17 species of macaw, six are mini-macaws. All but one belong to the Ara genus.

  1. Red-Bellied Macaw (Orthopsittaca manilata)

    • Although now placed as the only member of the Orthopsittaca genus, the red-bellied macaw was once in the Ara genus and some ornithologists still use this classification. The red-bellied macaw lives in South America in holes within palm trees. The bird has a yellow face, green body, blue wing tips and a red patch on its abdomen. It is not classified as endangered.

    Blue-Headed Macaw (Ara couloni)

    • The blue-headed macaw lives near Peru and Bolivia. This highly endangered bird is not normally kept as a pet. It has a green body with a blue head and blue feathers on the tail and wings.

    Red-Shouldered Macaw (Ara nobilis)

    • The red-shouldered macaw has a brilliant green body and blue-tinged head with a white patch extending from beak and around its eye. This species of macaw has three subspecies: Hahn's macaw, noble macaw and long-winged macaw. This native to the northern part of the Amazon is an easily tamed, social and friendly bird to keep as a pet.

    Illiger's Macaw (Ara maracana)

    • Illiger's macaw, also known as the blue-shouldered macaw, is an intelligent bird that loves to stay active. The green bird with a yellow face patch, blue head and red tail feathers is native to Brazil, Paraguay and parts of Argentina. The bird is highly endangered in the wild due to habitat loss.

    Severe Macaw (Ara severa)

    • Raised properly, a severe macaw makes an affectionate and playful pet. Also known as the chestnut-fronted macaw, this green bird has red and blue wing feathers and its chest feathers are tinged with brown. Native to southern Central America and northern parts of South America, the severe macaw is not endangered but could become so due to habitat loss.

    Yellow-Collared Macaw (Ara auricollis)

    • This little green bird has a distinctive yellow patch at the nape of its neck, blue wing tips and red feathers along the tail. As pets, they are tame and playful with their owners. In the wild, they live in central South America and are often seen around human habitation.