Description

The Red-bellied macaw is generally green and the lower abdomen a maroon colour. The flight feathers and outer wing-coverts are blue edged with green. They have a black beak and bare cheek patches of a pale dull yellow colour. The iris is dark brown and the feet are grey. They grow to a length of 48 cm.

 

Range & Habitat

Red-bellieds can be found in Venezuela, western Colombia, eastern Peru and northern Bolivia , and Brazil. They prefer to live near watercourses or swampy areas. They are common to numerous in their habitat and are usually seen in small groups or flocks of up to several hundred birds outside breeding season.

Housing in Aviculture

They can be housed in suspended aviaries, but it must be large enough for them to fly, as they tend to become overweight easily. We supply a nestbox with outside access as these birds spook easily, especially newly imported ones.

 

 

 

Breeding in Aviculture

They are not as easy to breed as some of the other small macaws, but this is on the increase as new diets and understanding of this species comes about. My pairs prefer a dark aviary with a secluded area to hide behind, I supply a L-shaped nestbox, 60 cm deep x 30 cm wide x 45 cm long. They lay clutches of 3 to 5 eggs and incubation lasts 25 days. The fledging period is 11 weeks.

Mutations

I know of no mutations. If you are in possesion of any mutation macaws please contact me at info@thomasriver.co.za.