Macaws, parrots and other bird species.

A photo is worth a thousand words

2011-05-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

As an extension to this blog I have created a new more current blog called Macaology. Please visit for more concepts and pictures to help better keep your birds.

Mis-aligned beaks in Macaws (scissor beak)

2010-10-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

Today I'm going to take a quick break from clicker training and write a bit about scissor beak in macaws. Hand-fed macaws should absolutely not suffer from scissor beak. Baby macaws my start to develop scissor beak (a lateral deviation of the upper beak) while being hand-fed. A trained eye can catch this malformation of the beak at a very early stage in the handfeeding process. Simple corrections can be made by triming or sanding the tomium (cutting edge of the lower beak) so that it is not wearing at an angle. If no corrections are made and the upper beak is allowed to continue to grow to the side the lower tomium will continue to angle downward towards the deviating side of the upper beak.

Simple corrections can be made while the beak is still pliable, but if the beak is allowed to harden as seen above in this ten year old macaw, more difficult alterations must be attempted to controll and correct the problem. Can the problem be corrected at this stage in the birds life? I don't have the answere to that yet but am working with pictured macaw in my own attempts to do so.

Here in this picture the tomium has been ground flat in an attempt to alleviate the constant "push" of the upper beak (maxilla) to the side.

Here is my brave macaw "Sarge" after undergoing some corrective grinding of the lower beak.

Wednesday 9/29/10 Clicker training

2010-09-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Last post I was hopping Dundee, my redfronted macaw, would step up on my hand.... one last session at the end of the day and !JACKPOT! ... he actually stepped onto my arm! Yes! To really understand the magnitude of this milestone you have to know that Dundee is a parent raised bird and came to me almost two years ago. I am so pleased with his progress... ecstatic! Here is a picture of a much younger apprentice who is now weaned and ready for training.

Monday Morning 9/27/2010 Clicker training

2010-09-27T11:28:00.000-07:00

Didn't have much time to train on saturday as the tire store was very busy. Heard an all to familiar comment from a customer though. "hey, how come your birds outside don't fly away" "Well, I said, the birds are clipped but they are content to stay in and around the tree." "Wow I have a Blue and Gold but he's in his cage most of the time"....."I'm afraid he'll fly away"..... " Im thinking great... poor macaw probably never gets out of the cage." Too many birds are purchased and forgotten, stuck to live their lives out in a damn cage.

Today I spent about fifteen minutes with Dundee.... he has the target training down and knows if he touches the tip of the target stick... bam he gets a treat. He's very content to stay right by me and play his vending machine game and that's progress but I was hopping I could get him to step onto my hand if I put my hand between him and the target. So far not even a lift of the foot but I'm going to keep at it.... more later

More Clicker Training

2010-09-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

Dundee with some pear on this hot afternoon

Came in to work early today... anxious to try some more. Ok the tire shop is open and running and finished with my paperwork. My 6 macaws are on their runnabout and eating breakfast. Dundee (my two year old red-fronted) is dodging the bigger guys grabbing at the food tray when no one else is looking.... he's gotten good at sneaking his share... I get a break and go outside with my clicker in hand along with some treats. Dundee spots me and eyes me up and down with his cocked head .... I love how birds do that, the one eyed look... this time instead of my pen I have a real stick and I'm hopping I can get him to step on it, lol right? Things are already different with him cause he's all of a sudden interested in my presence. I show him the almond pieces and get my stick and clicker ready... he comes over and nibbles the tip of the stick so I "click" and give him a piece of nut. Ok good we're back to the vending machine thing... so I'm thinking "lets try a little more" ... I put the stick at chest level to see if he'll step up... this spooks him and he runs. Ok I think I'm going to fast....also I'm not sure if I should be using the target stick to be stepped up on. Let me read some more to figure this out... ok new plan, I grabbed a larger perch that he's familiar with and went back over to try again. He sees the familiar perch and I put it between him and my hand full of almond pieces.... head cocks and he eyes the nuts in my hand... like a little machanical robot he ratchets his head upwards and eyes me. Im really having a hard time not to laugh out loud.... he's not going for it...hmmm... so i start to pull the nuts away an he puts one foot on the perch! I almost forgot to click! Yes! Meanwhile, Larger macaws get interested and start to move in.... Dundee's gone, up to a higher branch with a big piece of almond. Will try more later...

Clicker Training! my attempts at this new (to me) training method

2010-09-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

Rehome Busters

Huge way to keep your bird interested and entertained
Play "clicker" with your bird!

Clicker training! It's been around for a long time and used frequently in places like zoos or animal parks where professional training is done. I always associated this type of training with tricks and accrobatic circus stuff so I never really paid much attention to it's use with parrots. I met a nice lady from Germany on a bird forum and she got me just interested enough to give it a go. Here is a copy of an e-mail I sent her after my first attempt with the clicker thing.

My first attempt

Ok Ann,

I'm a believer! I got your E-book and started reading...... I had to try this so I went over to a petsmart grabbed a clicker and said to myself "I'm going to try this right now." I have a 2 year old red fronted that I've casually been working with over the past year. He's been coming along pretty good and hangs with the rest of the flock so no hurry right.... I take some ground nuts over to him and he eyes me.... he loves em but will very cautiously come over grab one and hurry back to his spot. I take the clicker out and just before he grabs another I click-it.... he eyes me again like "whats up?" then I reach to him with my writing pen which I have done in the past to kinda play with his beak.... he touches it with his upper beak and immediately I "click" and hand him a nut.... We did this for a couple minutes and he's not running away anymore... hmmm.... the phone rings so I go into the office. I come back out show him the pen and he runs over to touch it! "click" and he's now in control of his own little vending machine! Ha! Ha! I'm laughing now right.... hell he's gained more ground in those few min. than in a whole year and I am deffinately not a clicker trainer. Im fascinated and anxious to try more. Im looking forward to reading the rest of the book cause I have a number of birds with different problems that need some tweaking. More later.... gotta go...

Second in a series of why parrots are surrendered

2010-09-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

Why Parrots are surrendered

People with good intentions are still set-up for failure by traditional parrot keeping here in the U.S. What is most surprising is that the bird keeping public are by example maintaining these traditions. I am speaking in general of course because there are many exceptional owners, but they are not the majority. Too many people are under the assumption that you house your parrot in a cage, add a few toys, hopefully a nutritious diet and out of cage time when convenient. Sound familiar? Unfortunately this is considered above average care. I have been there with my pets in the past and I have evolved. Not enough freedom, not enough stimulation, not enough variety, too lonely, and not any fun. Bring on the screaming!, feather plucking!, biting!, chainsaw chewing of everything and eventually most people just get sick and tired of the noise, the mess, and the bandaids. Parrot For Sale- to good home only :)

Why parrots are commonly surrendered. (rehomed)

2010-09-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Pre-Wild Bird Conservation Act

Lest we forget parrots are exotic animals. Up untill the past 25 years or so, and things continue to get worse, people generally respected the word "exotic." Exotics were left to the experts or to few people who really dedicated a portion of their lives to the care and up-keep of animals normally found in zoo's. Speaking as an American, we typically consume whatever is in our path and at our disposal. Exotic birds started comming in by the thousands in the seventees and eightees fueled by American and European interest in a more colorful and gregarious bird species that could talk!, unlike the more common canaries and parakeets found in the pet trade at that time. Parrots came in a steady stream saturating our borders and filling quaranteen stations. Parrots retained their "exotic" stigma however since having come straight out of the jungles they fiercely clawed and gnashed at anyone interested. Only the most skilled animal keepers/trainers could refine these wild parrots or "broncos" into companion animals. People who obtained such a bird were generally more prepared for special accomodations that these "exotics" required.

Post-Wild Bird Conservation Act

On October 23 1992 congress passed a new law that would change bird keeping in the U.S. forever. This new law prohibited the importation of most exotic parrots into the U.S. from other countries. Many bird traders became bird breeders and began setting up pairs to hopefully produce offspring that could begin to supply a growing market for pet parrots. Gradually as breeders became successful a new type of parrot became available.... the hand-fed version of the prior claw clenching beak nashing wild caughts. These new little gems were exceptionally tame and seemed to gush a gentle loving disposition. Exageration ? yes, but compared to the wild parents even a less social, shy, hand-fed seemed amazingly tame.

The first in a series of reasons parrots become homeless

Once hand-fed babies started becoming available the exotic stigma began to wear off and more and more people wanted a "talking" parrot for a pet. The first in a series of problems to come was the sugar coated baby parrot being purchased by the untrained and unprepared public. These hand-fed babies were and many still are one generation from the wild. What happens when these babies grow-up is similar to a baby lion cub that is so sweet and lovable untill instinctual behavior kicks in. How many lions would last in our homes after about a year? Parrots are obviously more trainable but still very Exotic.

2010-07-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of a macaw bitting off a small childs arm!? I thought the broomstick handle in half myth was bad enough... now a childs arm!!!??? common people !! Don't believe any of this hogwash thats going around. The first time I heard it was on a bird forum and I had a good laugh especially since the man really believed his macaw could take off a "small childs arm." Well, I just heard it again from a potential customer of mine inquiring about a baby Blue and Gold. I asked him where he heard such a thing and he said a bird store employee told him that. Well... out with the broomstick and in with a small childs arm........ lol.

A thought about cages...

2010-06-14T10:53:00.001-07:00

People are starting to move away from traditional caging. Yes it is a slow process but more and more parrot owners are looking into caging alternatives to the traditional rectangle "box." Way back In years past parrots were kept in very small cages (unfortunately some still are) but gradually people are buying new designs with more space and adding play stands made of tree branches and ropes to give their birds more freedom. Some enthusiests are now making or buying large gazebo type enclosures to add even more room and allowing their birds access to the outdoors by way of flights and greenhouses. I have noticed that the less I cage my birds the less problems with feather picking or chewing. None of my own birds have ever plucked and some that I have gotten as pluckers, as long as it had not become extreme, have bennefited from access to the outdoors with other like birds and no cages (only at night). Of my seven macaws two pluckers at previous homes have improved except where feather follicles have been damaged. I hope some day cages will become a place used only to keep our birds at night or during short errands.... kinda like the way we treat our dogs with crates.

start of a new day in the life of a parrot

2010-06-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

Like everyday we start out with a squawk-fest, then all is quiet for breakfast except for the occasional squable over favorite food, and finally they go for the tree to chew branches, preen, flirt a bit, and feed each other followed by attempts to copulate since it's spring. The life of a parrot sounds good.

I am blogging about my own personal macaws. Actually, though, that is very similar to how a typical morning would be in their natural habitat. Mornings start as the sun piers out behind the lush flora or the dry savanna horizon depending on the species. Not unlike ourselves parrots will stretch their wings and straighten their feathers before moving about the roosting area. Subtle garble noises and soft squawks soon transform into outbursts of full raucous calling as flock members circle the roosting area in short flights as they scan the horizon for danger. Single individuals called sentinels will fly to the highest perch and call continuously using different calls to warn the others of any danger, or to communicate that all is well. Other flock members will join in calling and squawking for up to an hour or more. Large numbers of birds will then congregate in the air and fly off towards the feeding and foraging areas. Parrots fly in large flocks to protect themselves from predation, mostly areal attacks from hawks. Because of vulnerability to attacks while eating, parrots will go silent, movement is deliberate, and limited to stretching and sidestepping to obtain food items. After eating flock members will play amongst themselves and preen each other before settling in for a nap. Observing wild behaviors can give us great insight into why our parrots behave or act the way they do.

AFA Conference in Florida 2010

2010-06-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

AAV Annual Confrence/Expo

2010-06-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

31st Annual Association of Avian Veterinarians Conference & Expo with the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians
July 31-August 5, 2010San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina San Diego, CA.

Highlights for 2010:
Saturday Program includes the Avian Welfare Symposium concurrent with the Aviculture Program.
Sunday AAV Pre-Conference Program held concurrently with the AEMV Scientific Program.
AAV Labs held on Tuesday—Veterinarians registering for the full main conference will receive a $50 discount on one available lab of choice.
Master Class fees included in Full Main Conference registration – no extra fees to attend!
Free to conference registrants: AAV and AEMV Round Table Discussions on Tuesday.
Kick-Off Event at Sea World.
Win a free registration to the 2011 AAV Conference!
GREAT rates: The San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina hotel is discounted to a rate of $177 per night for a single or double room. The average rate at this beautiful hotel in August is $200-400. Bring the family!

Water Bottles

2010-05-21T16:35:00.001-07:00

I was pondering a question on a bird forum..."what kind of water bottle should I get for my bird?" Water bottles are used to help with the problem many birds have of soiling their water with, well yeah, poop... oh and food and a bath to wake-up in the morning. That's great, hmm... I guess, that our birds fully enjoy their water to the point that it looks sorta grayish brown by the end of the day. The problem with the bottles is that people see it as a , whew, lot less work to have to clean the water bowl and refill it everyday or twice a day ect... Bottles get slime build-up inside that has to be bottle brushed out, oh and don't forget the little tube, you'll need a special little brush to clean in there. Really, if your doing it right, bottles can be more work not less work. Oh yeah, and don't forget about the daily bath :)

What do you know about Macaws?

2010-05-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I would make a little quiz that could make us all a little wiser while having some fun. I am going to post some questions that I already know the answeres to and then I'll research a little to find some harder questions that you and I can both learn from. Ready?

How many large macaws are there that we currently know of in the wild? not extinct. Hint: We will include the red fronted as a large macaw since it has been controversial.
Which large macaw is the most prolific (breeds most easily) in captivity?
Does the Scarlet Macaw have feather tracts on its white facial skin?
What is closest to the average lifespan of a large macaw in captivity?
A. 100 years
b. 15 years
c. 50 years
Which type of eagle is a notorious macaw killer in South America?
Macaws feet have 3 toes, two in front and one in back. True or false?

Ok, ready for some harder ones?

Of the large macaws which species is both threatened by (baby/egg predation) and depends on the Toco toucan?
Which large macaw or macaws are not of the genus Ara?
Which species of macaw has the heaviest average weight?
When copulating (breeding) the male mounts the female:
A. off to the side
B. neither
C. on top
Which large macaw eats almonds in its native habitat?
Of all the large macaws which is the most endangered (lowest numbers in the wild)
Two of the large macaws are known to nest in hillsides or cliffs. Which two species are they?

Email me for the list of answeres ara.amor@verizon.net

Scientific or latin names for classification

2010-05-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Wow!, is all I can say as I began studying the significance of scientific names and the history envolved. Every bird in the world is classified by a Scientific name that is recognized internationally. Since common names can vary for the same bird it seems the only logical way to identify certain species of birds or Macaws in literature or conversation world wide.

Macaw facts-species

The family of large macaws are divided into two seperate genera. The most common macaws are listed under the genera Ara.... the Blue and Gold: Ara ararauna, the Greenwinged: Ara chloroptera, the Millitary: Ara militaris, the Scarlet: Ara macao, the Blue throated: Ara caninde (has recently been changed to Ara glaucogularis), the red fronted: Ara rubrogenys, and the Buffons: Ara ambiguus. Interestingly the Hyacinth is of another genus: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, also the Lears Macaw Anodorhynchus leari. Interesting to note, these two macaws do not have the bare facial patch with feather tracts that the Ara genus have. The bare face is a significant physical characteristic of "macaws." Just interesting I guess ... I'm not challenging their placement in the species family of macaws.

Macaw-scientific name-origin

The genus "Ara" is dirivative of the Tupi Indians language that populated "Brazil" as it is known today. Apparently the word ara is indicative of their loud call araaaa!! Tribes of these indians still exist today living in the Amazon rain forest.
The root of the genus "Anadorhynchus"at this time still evades me but the indians actually called them arara preta, which translates to black macaw. They appear black in low light which is probably how they appear under the forest canopy.

Buffons Macaws, I sure lov'em

2010-04-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

The Great Green Macaw

The Great green Macaw as they have been named in years past is one of the most beautiful large parrots I have ever seen! Yes they are predominantly green but the green is a vibrant beautiful color that "Glows" It appears to be tinted in blue. If you are a cool colored macaw person then this bird will amaze you. Their face is almost always a shade of flush red but gets deep red when excited. IMO they are nothing like a Millitary Macaw as they are so often compared with. Not that millies are bad ...just different. The Buffons is barrel chested and girthy, a heafty bird with a large jet black beak. Most weigh in at about 1400 to 1600 grams.

Buffons Macaw Personality

I don't have enough personal data to give a fair discription, but from what I have read they are not as gentle as a greenwing. My experience with my bird Sarge has been that he is more like a Scarlet in temperament. This macaw is definately an advanced to above handlers bird. Because of their size and strength a good bite can crush a finger, hand, wrist, or anywhere else you may get pinched...ouch. So here is the thing, this has been my personal experience and may not be the same with other individuals. For the most part they are content and quiet during the day which for me is purely a golden trait. I very much enjoy the greater challenge with the buffons and absolutely would place them in the top three macaws for serious owners to either breed or keep. On the other hand I would not recommend this macaw for bird owners new to the large macaws.

Buffons Macaw Diet

This macaw depends highly on almond trees! Very nice for us owners since we can easily feed one of the main components of the Buffons natural diet. The almond trees not only serve as a food source but also the trees provide nesting opportunities for these macaws. These macaws have done well in captivity using diets similar to those used for other large macaws. A diet of some vegetables, fruits, commercial pellets, seed mixes, and large nuts... especially almonds. I like to provide trace elements of extra protein, calcium, beta carotenes, and spirulina.

Buffons Distribution

The Buffons Macaw is found in Costa Rica as well as Nicaragua, Panama, Western Colombia, Ecuador and Easternmost Honduras. In 2008 Costa Rica passed a law to protect both the Buffons Macaw, and the yellow almond tree.

Blue Throated Macaws

2010-04-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

Blue throated macaws are in fact a very new species in American aviculture. The very good news is that they are proving to be very productive for breeders here in the U.S. and as a result are finding there way into the pet market. This species is quite rare in it's natural habitat and apparently is critically endangered. It has been estimated that only 300 to 350 individuals are left in the wild. They are a protected within their range of distribution which is very small in comparison to other macaw species. They are thought to be endemic (only found) to a flatland area in Bolivia called the Beni savannah.

Major Problems

There are three major problems facing the Blue Throated Macaw that I can see based on their current situation. First problem is that they are an endemic species, meaning that they are only found up until now in a very small area. This is similar to an island species that is only found on a small island. The second problem is that they are not a forest dwelling parrot where their habitat and nesting areas would be protected by huge ravines or hillsides that are unusable to farmers or land developers. Because they are found in the flatlands, and nest in palm tree clusters, they are very susceptible to farming and land development that would threaten their food source and their nesting areas. The third problem is that they are competing with the larger more abundant Blue and Gold Macaw for valuable nest sites.

What is being done

From what I have found there are a few aviculturist working with the species to help generate more birds here in captivity. This is a noble task and should be commended, nonetheless, it will do nothing for the birds in their natural habitat in Bolivia. What it will do is help keep the species alive and available in american aviculture. True conservation of the species within Bolivia needs to be done in Bolivia. The latest information is that Armonia/ loro parque fundacion is spearheading the pure and true conservation of the species in Bolivia. These conservation efforts are being led by Mauricio Herrera. Notably, an organisation in Texas called Bird Endowment is breeding Blue Throated Macaws in a conservation effort, but more importantly is providing a way to help increase nest box availability in Bolivia by allowing people like me and you to become "beni factors." This means that for every 250.00 dollars donated an artificial nest will be constructed and placed in the range of the Blue Throats. Interestingly they are marking the nest box with the dona tor's initials and keeping track of what happens within each nest box each year. Sounds fun! but conservation is not without its challenges. Of the 40 some nest boxes that have been placed over the past two years only 4 or 5 have been used by the Blue Throats. Ironically the Blue and Gold Macaw has been detrimental to the success of the program by using 24 of the boxes provided. Unfortunately the more common Blue and Gold is in competition with the endangered Blue Throats for nesting sites. A perfect example of two like species occupying the same niche. If left unchecked the natural consequence of such a situation is that one species is either forced to extinction or adapts by finding a new niche that does not entirely overlap with the dominant species. Such an adaptation historically is rare. A huge abundance of nest boxes could help the situation but ultimately an alternative nesting arrangement needs to be found. This could be as simple as height at which the nest is placed by doing a study to find if there are differences in acceptable nesting heights by Blue and Golds and Blue throats, or it could prove to require more thought and research.

In closing

The Blue Throated Macaw is a fabulous species, definitely, worth the efforts being made to save it both in american aviculture as well as in its' native habitat. People are getting involved and things are being done which is very encouraging. A huge amount of time and resources will be needed in Bolivia for the Loro park foundation to be successful. If you want to help check it out

http://birdendowment.org/inbolivia/nidoadoptivo.shtml

Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica

2010-04-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

Zooave, a quiant little zoo in San Jose Costa Rica is having a huge impact on the Scarlet Macaw population that was in danger not too many years ago. As of 2008 captive raised scarlets started producing babies in the wild. This is a huge success story as many conservation efforts with wild parrots are barely sustaining critical numbers of endangered parrots. Apparently the transition from captivity to the wild even for completely parent raised birds is very difficult. I personally visited the zoo when I was in Costa Rica recently and I have to say it is the most beautiful zoo I have ever been to. Every enclosure was built around the natural tropical jungle. Enclosures were very large and spacious. Beautiful Motmots flew around loose as well as other softbills like the simple sparrows I'm accustomed to here in Californian zoos. Artistic cement paths meandered through the tropical lush. Traditional steel pet cages lay crushed and stacked at the exit leaving a deep impression on ones soul and driving home the point being made by Zooave founders that birds weren't made to be caged. I certainly left feeling a stronger desire to limit the amount of time my birds have to be caged. If you ever are in Costa Rica it's worth checking out. http://www.northerncostarica.com/zoo-ave.html

Free flight Macaws

2010-04-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

Wings at Liberty! I found a new website that gives step by step info. on how to train your birds to fly. "Wow, I thought birds already knew how to fly." Yes, but in order to get them back once they fly off is something they need to learn.... it's called recall. How amazing would it be to take you bird out for a fly, kinda like taking the dog out for a walk, how many behavior problems could be eliminated if we could get our birds to do some real exercise. Hell, if I was pent-up in a cage or the house all day I'd scream and pull my feathers out too!!! Personally I thrive on excercise, and if that was taken from me well I'd be toast. Feather plucking is the most discouraging problem out there to date and I believe excercise is at the root of the problem. Even if we only flew our birds inside from perch to arm and back again for ten min. a day I believe we would notice a big difference in unlocked, unsolved, behavior problems. Check out Wings at Liberty ... http://wingsatliberty.com/

Reintroduce Red Fronted Macaws

2010-04-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

A new website is being launched to promote tourism in south american countries. The dollars spent on these exciting tropical adventures are also going towards efforts to conserve the treasures of interest "wild parrots."Among the species of focus is the Santa Marta conure, and of great interest here, the Red Fronted Macaw. The Santa Marta conure is found in Columbia and occupies a range of about 19,000 acres of which 1,600 is protected forest. The Red fronted Macaw is protected within its range, a small mountainous area in west and south central Bolivia. Apparently some conservation efforts are being organized and launched from the Center for Biodiversity at the university of Cochabamba in Bolivia. The Red Fronted Macaw has been estimated in numbers as low as 150 left in the wild! Every effort needs to be made to breed this macaw in captivity as well as help support conservation efforts on its behalf. This new website is found here http://www.conservationbirding.org/

Clean Water Source for Birds

2010-04-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

Our birds water is the number one source by which harmful bacteria is introduced into our birds systems. The new flush and fill water system is an excellent way to provide our birds with clean water all the time. No more "poop soup" and no more water bottles. If this is news to you check it out.

Macaws as pets

2010-03-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Macaws make wonderful pets. Many of the macaw species are available for sale and they vary in price. Yes they make really good talkers if you take the time to work with them. Macaws are very active and need a good nutritious diet. They like to be scratched and cuddled. They can learn to accept multiple members of a family with a little work. Hand-fed Baby macaws are very sweet and do make fun pets for people willing to properly care for them. The large macaw species that are most commonly found for sale are: Blue and Gold Macaws, Greenwing Macaws, Scarlet Macaws, Military Macaws, Red Fronted Macaws, Blue Throated Macaws, and the Hyacinth Macaws. The different species vary in price depending on availability and rarity. I must say, though, that all macaws are great parrots. Babies and adults of all species are fun to have.
Large macaws do talk quite well if you put the time into teaching them. Unlike some smaller parrots their voice is quite loud so when they speak it’s not difficult to know what they’re saying. Be careful what you teach them, though, because it's not as easy to eliminate colorful words from their vocabulary, if you you know what I mean.
A macaws’ diet is made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts, a good seed mix, and mineral/vitamin supplements. Pellets can be added to the diet to eliminate the need for vitamin supplements. Pellets should not replace any other part of the diet. Peanuts and other non-salted nuts should be given as macaws need more fat than other parrots. Foods that should not be fed are: anything with caffeine, anything with lots of salt, no chocolate, and avocado can be problematic. Handling and cuddling are a very important part of the whole macaw experience. They love it! There’s nothing like a good scratch or gentle hug. Everyone in the family should take part in this experience so that the macaw doesn’t form a strong bond with any one person. Behavior is a huge issue when keeping pet birds. In fact the number one reason people get rid of their bird is because they can no longer deal with a behavior problem. Most if not all problems can be avoided or corrected if you learn to understand bird behavior. I would recommend learning as much as you possibly can. Most pet stores do not have good books. In fact the books on birds in the "super pet stores" I've seen are pure crap. Look for authors who have actually studied field guides and wild bird behavior.
Remember a nutritious diet, daily handling, short training sessions for desired behavior (like talking), and a good bird behaivior book will get you rolling into the world of the majestic macaws.