Caring for the Harlequin Macaw require a lot of socialization and handling, so expect 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.
These birds 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 it occupied while confined. The cage needs to be cleaned at least every two months or more often if it gets soiled quicker. Your bird will appreciate water to bathe in as well as occasional misting.
Common Health Problems
Caring for the Harlequin Macaw generally speaking, if you take good care of your macaw, it will remain healthy. However, even with the best hygiene, some diseases can still occur. There are also behavioral problems that they can develop. If your bird gets bored or feels neglected by you, it may resort to feather plucking or skin picking.
Diet and Nutrition
Caring for the Harlequin Macaw are a very high energy bird. For good health, they will need foods rich in oils and calories. In the wild, macaws eat a variety of palm nuts, seeds, and fruit.
Feed harlequin macaws a diet that includes a high-quality seed and formulated pellet mix. It’s also important to include daily servings of fresh bird-safe fruits and vegetables. Each macaw, depending on its size, will eat about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of parrot mix and about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of fruit and vegetables per day. It will also need fresh drinking water every day.
Exercise
Caring for the Harlequin Macaw Pet parrots are prone to obesity and harlequin macaws need plenty of exercise. Activities help maintain their physical health and provides much-needed mental stimulation as well. You can keep your harlequin macaw occupied by handling it daily and providing it with plenty of toys.
Prepare to set aside a minimum of 2 to 4 hours per day for the supervision of the bird while it plays outside of its cage. In addition to preventing weight gain, adequate exercise helps stave off boredom.
Harlequin Macaw Colors and Markings
Harlequin macaws have a wide variation in their colors and patterns. They are often mistaken for Catalina macaws, which are another hybrid with similar coloration.
A harlequin’s coloring depends mostly on if the blue and gold or greenwing was the male parent. Males have dominant genes. 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. 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 genetic or surgical sexing, it’s nearly impossible to know the sex of harlequins.