Caring for macaws will be the focus of this article. This blog post will examine the diet and basic care tips for blue and gold macaws in Nigeria. Firstly, we will explore the history of the macaws from the Amazon forests to the African continent.
The Blue and Gold macaws have been successfully bred for many years in Africa, specifically in South Africa. The history of the Blue and Gold macaw in South Africa can be traced back to several generations imported from the birds’ South American homes. Even though the macaws are not indigenous to South Africa, the country has become one of the world’s leading supplier of birds. The Blue and Gold macaw, also known as the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw parrots in Nigeria, is native to South America. The scientific name is Ara Ararauna. They are found in large communities within South America, the west side of Columbia and Ecuador, Eastern Panama, and the Amazon Basin. Blue and gold macaw can be found in the forest, savannah, woodland, and the rainforest – their natural habitat. Macaws can be found in flocks of about 100 birds, all paired as mates or friends. In Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Paraguay, and Peru, macaw can be found in flocks.
The Right Diet For Caring For Macaws
The blue-and-gold macaws in their natural habitat, the forests, eat various seeds, fruits, plant material, and nuts. These foods are high in fat, ideal for flying birds, especially when it has to source their food.
As part of caring for macaws, you must ensure that your macaw, which is kept as a pet, must be fed a nutritionally balanced formulated diet, fresh fruits, flowers, seeds, berries, and nuts (a little of it). Nuts are cracked open with their beaks, and they use the same for crushing seeds. It would be best if you did not feed your blue and gold macaw with avocados, chocolates, onions, vegetable leaves, alcohol, mushrooms, dried beans and salt, as they are all poisonous to parrots. Even though the parrots can be found consuming some of these things in the wild, scientists believe that their clay consumption helps neutralise toxins.
The Blue and gold macaw shouldn’t be fed a seed-only diet because it is life-threatening, leading to serious health issues like premature organs and or failure of the liver and kidney. This is due to its high concentration of fat and carbohydrate. A diet containing a lot of proteins and beta-carotene is advised. Aside from the foods listed above, one could feed them with sweet potatoes, kale, carrots and, dark green leafy vegetables. Try as much as possible to reduce sunflower seed in your blue and gold macaw’s diet; it could lead to fatty liver disease.
Tips For Caring For Macaw Parrots in Nigeria
Caring for macaws is a big responsibility. Find tips below on how to care for your blue and gold macaws.
1. Provide adequate space for your blue and gold macaw to fly. As earlier highlighted, the blue and gold macaw requires a big space conducive to living. A cage with a minimum of 50 feet is ideal. You can get a birdcage of 4 feet deep, 2.5 feet wide, and 5 feet tall for a small bird. Ensure the cage is made of strong material to curb the impact of pecking on the cage.
2. Provide your macaw with a wooden toy to prevent it from plucking its feathers.
3. Supply the bird with a balanced diet that will keep it healthy. More protein, fruits, and vegetables are advised against high fat and carbohydrates.
4. A regular check-up with the veterinarian is essential.
5. Provide climbing ropes and perches in the cage.
Before buying a blue and gold macaw parrot in Nigeria, you should endeavour to buy responsibly. In Nigeria, you can find macaws for sale at pet stores or on classified ads. At Pet Lovers Nigeria, we can assist you with sourcing and delivering the blue and gold macaw. If you are looking to buy a macaw parrot bird as a pet, shop on our store or WhatsApp at +2348108128223 for more info. At Pet Lovers Nigeria, you are guaranteed a sound and healthy bird that has been given tender loving care. Besides, you will get a lifetime of helpful resources, useful tips and tricks to help train your pet parrot. We will also provide you with access to a healthy diet plan for your pet bird.