Quick Facts
Diet & Nutrition: Parrot food
Age: 1 Years
Price: $8,000 ( Negotiable )
Color: blue, yellow
Size: large
Lifespan: 50 + years
Sounds: Vocal communicator
Interaction: Highly social
Availability: 2
Origin: Harlequin-Macaw are only produced in captivity, by crossing a Blue and Gold Macaw with a Greenwing Macaw. Therefore, they originate in the homes of bird breeders around the world.
Harlequin Macaw are hybrids, so they don't have a true scientific name.
Physical Description: Harlequin Macaws can have a wide variation in their colors and patterns. Some breeders say that a Harlequin Macaw's coloring depends largely on whether a Blue and Gold or a Greenwing Macaw was the male parent, but that is debatable. Most Harlequins are primarily deep orange on their chests and bellies, with striking tones of green and blue on their backs. Many of them have gold feathers on the underside of their tail feathers. Being that hybrids are bred primarily for color traits, a large range of colors and combinations are available. These birds combine the playful personality of a Blue and Gold Macaw with the gentle-giant nature of the greenwing, resulting in a larger, more colorful, and sweeter Macaw.
If you’re looking for a companion parrot that has been nurtured, hand-fed, socialized with personal care and love..then you’ve come to the right place. At StarPetHomes we give our companion parrots daily attention to prepare them for their new home. We offer the best Blue-and-Gold Macaw parrots. Blue-and-Gold Macaw parrots make wonderful pets, they're intelligent, beautiful birds with great “attitudes” which is why they make such brilliant companions to share a home with. However, be prepared for the long haul because when these birds are well cared for, they can live for a very long time.
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The harlequin macaw's is a beautiful hybrid parrot that makes an excellent pet for the right person. This full-sized macaw tends to do well with families because the birds thrive on socialization. They are also very good talkers, friendly, and have rather amusing personalities.
Common Name
Harlequin-Macaw
Scientific Name
Ara chloropterus x Ara ararauna
Origin and History
The word harlequin has two meanings that are very appropriate for this bird.
In one sense, it refers to a joker or clown and the bird's do have a comical personality. In the other sense, it means variations of color and pattern, a perfect fit for this beautiful, rainbow-colored bird.
Harlequin macaws are only produced in captivity. This bird is known as a first-generation hybrid because it is bred from two "true" species of macaw, the blue and gold macaw and the greenwing macaw. The result is a bird with the coloring and characteristics of both parent birds.
The harlequin is also crossed with other true and hybrid macaws to produce second-generation hybrids. Among the most common that have the harlequin's genes are:
Fiesta Macaw: Bred with Camelot macaw
Harligold Macaw: Bred with blue and gold macaw
Harlequin x Shamrock Macaw: Bred with the shamrock macaw (hybrid)
Jubilee Macaw: Bred with greenwing macaw
Maui Sunrise Macaw: Bred with Catalina macaw (hybrid)
Quatro Macaw: Bred with ruby macaw (hybrid)
Tropicana Macaw: Bred with scarlet macaw
Size
Harlequin macaws are large birds that typically reach lengths between 35 and 40 inches from the beak to the tip of the tail feathers. A healthy weight is between 2 and 3 1/2 pounds.
Average Lifespan
Barring any serious health problems, these are exceptionally long-lived parrots with an average lifespan of more than 50 years.
Some have been reported to live up to 80 years old.
Temperament
People who own hybrid birds like the harlequin macaw claim to have the "best of both worlds." That's because the parents of the harlequin are known for having laid-back and affectionate personalities with good speech abilities and high intelligence.
While each bird will have its own individual personality, they're generally described as fun, friendly, and rather comical. If they get a lot of socialization with people as a young bird, these macaws will enjoy the company of many different people throughout its life. Without that, they can become one-person birds or develop a preference for either men or women, whichever they're around most often.
A harlequin macaw will have moments of frustration and become cranky, just like any other parrot. Yet, it is a good choice for those who would like a large bird that normally has an even temper and calm demeanor. This is not a bird for everyone because it does pose some unique challenges for an owner.
All parrots have a tendency to be loud, but macaws are the poster-birds for ear-shattering vocalizations. Simply put, if you don't want your parrot to awaken you early every morning by screaming at the top of its lungs, you should consider something other than a macaw as a pet.
On the upside, you'll never miss an early morning flight if you have one of these birds as an alarm clock.
Harlequin Macaws Colors and Markings
Harlequin macaws can have a wide variation in their colors and patterns. They are often mistaken for Catalina macaws, another hybrid.
Breeders say that a harlequin's coloring depends largely on whether a blue and gold or a greenwing was the male parent because males have the dominant gene. This difference is most prevalent in the color of a harlequin's breast and belly. With a blue and gold father, the breast will be red-orange in color. If the father is a greenwing, the breast feathers will be a lighter orange.
Most harlequins have striking tones of green and blue on their backs. They also tend to have gold feathers on the underside of their tail feathers.
Males and females look the same and without DNA sexing, it's difficult to know the sex of harlequins.
Caring for a Harlequin Macaw
The requirements for providing a good home for a harlequin macaw are the same as other large macaws. They require a lot of socialization and handling, so owners need to be prepared to spend time with the bird daily. A macaw that becomes bored or feels neglected can act out by biting, destroying things around the house, or resort to self-mutilation and feather plucking.
Birds of this size need a large cage that is at least 5-foot square and 8-foot high placed in a draft-free location. It should include a perch and plenty of stimulating toys to keep him occupied while confined. The cage needs to be cleaned at least every two months or more often if needed. Water and food should be provided daily and your bird will be much happier with water to bathe in as well as a mister.
Before rushing out to buy a harlequin macaw, think seriously about the commitment involved in keeping such a bird. Not only can these birds live for five decades or more, but the costs of veterinary bills, high-quality feed, toys, and cages add up quickly. If you feel that you wouldn't be able to provide a bird with the best of everything, consider holding off on adopting one until you can.
Feeding a Harlequin Macaw
Like any large parrot, a harlequin macaw should be fed a diet that includes a high-quality seed and pellet mix. It's also important to include daily servings of fresh bird-safe fruits and vegetables.
Exercise
Pet parrots are prone to obesity, so harlequin macaws need plenty of exercise. This will not only help maintain their physical health but provides much-needed mental stimulation as well. Prepare to set aside a minimum of two to four hours per day for the bird to play outside of its cage. In addition to preventing weight gain, adequate exercise helps stave off boredom.
With a bird this large, you don't want it to get restless and resort to chewing on furniture or other destructive behaviors.
Keep your harlequin macaw occupied by handling it daily and providing it with plenty of toys to play with. They can be taught tricks and many individual birds will develop a vocabulary of 15 or so words with training.
Outside of the cage, a sturdy play stand can become your bird's favorite place to hang out. It may take a few times of reminding him that this is where he needs to be, but they're smart and pick up on it quickly. He'll enjoy the view and be able to feel part of the family.
Harlequin macaws need plenty of human interaction and mental stimulation to remain healthy, happy and well-adjusted pets. They thrive on being part of a flock, so even though it might take some getting used to, it's a good idea to try to include your bird in as many family activities as possible.