What You Need to Know About Hybrid Macaws there is something that is just absolutely captivating and universally enamoring about macaws. Their size and long tails, personalities, and vibrant coloring are all aspects of this group of New World birds that have led them to be one of the most adored in the world.
What You Need to Know About Hybrid Macaws
Hybrid macaws are ones that are bred in captivity and are, you guessed it, the product of parents from two different species. For example, a Scarlet and a Blue and Gold macaw produce what is called a Catalina macaw.
Hybrids are usually very large birds, reaching lengths from 35 to 40 inches, and they can live for up to 60+ years. They average around 2 1/2 to 3 pounds.
A hybrid macaw lover will likely tell you that they bought a hybrid for two main reasons: color and temperament. And crossing two beautiful birds will create an even more beautiful bird! The colors on a hybrid are quite a sight to look at—just look at any of the photos in this article!
Although the temperament of any hybrid cannot be an exact science, a prediction with fair accuracy is usually the best one can do. Crossing a Blue and Gold and a Greenwing (Harlequin), both of which are friendly birds, will likely create a super-friendly bird.
Here are four popular types of hybrids and some information about each.
Shamrock Macaw
The Shamrock macaw is a cross between a Scarlet and a Military macaw. Since both are naturally bred and non-hybrid, the Shamrock is considered a first-generation breed. It is also probably the most common hybrid.
Shamrock macaws tend to bond closely to one person but, like all of these birds, can be socialized at a young age and become one that enjoys the whole family.
Shamrocks can be very noisy, a trait inherited from their parents. They grow up to two pounds and reach sizes from 33 to 37 inches, from their head to the tip of their tail.
As with all macaws, they come in a range of prices. It is difficult to put a general price tag on a hybrid, but I will say you could find them from between $1,200 to $1,600 as a rough ‘guestimate.’
Catalina Macaw
The Catalina macaw is a cross between the Blue and Gold and Scarlet, two very common kinds. This is another example of a first-generation hybrid macaw. They is name after the Southern California island where they were first bred.
Catalinas are said to be popular because the two personalities of their parents mixe well. The feisty to an extent, of course Scarlet, the comical Blue and Gold, and the energy of both create a perfect balance.
One downside to the Catalina macaws is the amount of constant attention need. Scarlets and Blue and Golds both need plenty of interaction, which means that the Catalina needs even more! Failure to do so will result in a nasty, screaming, biting macaw.
Catalinas generally max out at 36 inches and weigh about 2 1/2 pounds. They can live between 50 and 60 years.
Again, prices greatly vary, but I will say $1,300 to $1,700.
Harlequin Macaw
The Harlequin macaw is a cross between a Blue and Gold and a Greenwing. This is another first-generation hybrid. Because the Greenwing and the Scarlet look very much alike, and the other mate is the Blue and Gold, the Catalina and Harlequin are extremely alike in looks. Size, personality, and intelligence are what can tell the two apart!
Because the Blue and Gold and the Greenwing are consider to be two of the smartest large macaws (the Greenwing is usually consider to be the smartest overall), the Harlequin is highly intelligent. On top of learning tricks and words easily, they love to interact and need socialization with multiple people on a daily basis to remain healthy.
The Harlequin is one of the largest macaws. It ranges from 36 to 40 inches and lives for over 50 years.
My price range (as in what I am aware of) is $1,700 to $2,200.
Camelot Macaw
The Camelot macaw, pronounced cam-a-lot, is an example of a second-generation macaw. It is a cross between a Catalina (which is a cross between a Scarlet and Blue and Gold) and a Scarlet macaw. As you may have figured out, the Camelot is 75% Scarlet and 25% Blue and Gold, roughly speaking. Therefore, the Camelot is strikingly similar to the Scarlet.
Second-generation macaws are extremely difficult to predict color-wise. Most have a red-orange dominance with streaks of yellow and blue. Others have a yellow dominance with streaks of red-orange.