Severe Macaws are the largest of the mini macaws. This species ranges in size from about 18" to 22" tall, of which half is tail length. The Severe is mostly bright green with red and blue patches under his wings and tail feathers. Also known as a Chestnut Fronted Macaw, this species has chestnut colored feathers found across the top of his forehead. The Severe is the only mini macaw that has feathers on his facial patch, a characteristic similar to the larger macaws.
This species is very playful and thrives off of social interaction. It's often said that the Severe Macaw has the personality and character of a larger macaw and is more easily trained. This species is very intelligent and is an excellent talker. The Severe tends to form a very strong bond with his caretaker, so it is important to expose him to many different people when he is young. Like all macaws, the Severe explores his world by chewing on it, so it's important that you teach him what are appropriate chew things when he is young as well.
The Severe Macaw's diet should consist of commercial pellets supplemented with a variety of fresh vegetables. Severe Macaws enjoy pasta, beans, seeds, fruit, and nuts as an occasional treat. Be aware of the portions you offer in order to prevent obesity, and always offer fresh water.
Interesting Facts:
Family:
Psittacidae
Genus:
Ara
Size:
18" to 22" tall
Habitat:
Open forest and surrounding woodlands and savannah. They forage for food in farmland and villages.
Behavior:
Severe Macaws are extremely social, playful, outgoing, sweet-tempered, and intelligent. They are also very good at learning tricks and how to talk/mimic speech.
Diet:
Feed a pelleted diet augmented with fresh vegetables and a little fresh fruit.
Owner Challenges:
Although they are "mini" macaws, Severe Macaws still need a very large cage that provides them with plenty of room to move around. Severe Macaws have a tendency to form a single-person bond , so it is important to socialize them as early as possible and around a variety of people, especially family members. Otherwise, they may not interact well with other people. Severe Macaws are big chewers, so it's essential to have a variety of acceptable things to chew on, such as thick, long-lasting chew toys. They can also be quite noisy.
