Back and wings turquoise. Sides of neck, breast and belly golden. Forehead

and crown greenish-blue. Throat black, cheeks white bordered in black

stripes. Bluish-yellow undertail coverts. Eyes yellow, beak and legs black.

Female is smaller, immatures have dark eyes.

Panama southwards into Central America to northern Paraguay.

Blue and Gold Macaw lives close to water in forests, savannahs, open country

and swamps in regions up to 1,500 feet (500m), in pairs or flocks up to

100. Nests in holes of dead palm trees.

seeds, fruits, nuts, parrot food, mealworms, cheese, greenstuff.

Their strong beaks can find weakness in the design and construction of

their housing.

Blue and Gold Macaw are affectionate, loyal, gentle, intelligent. Can

learn tricks and to imitate and talk. Can live 100 years or more. May

become aggressive towards keepers during breeding season. Roomy cages

of mesh with climbing branches, heated covered areas and - as playthings

- fresh branches, pinecones and stones. Nest box, year round for roosting,

20 X 20 X 31'/2 inches (50 X 50 X 80cm), entrance 5V2 inches (14cm). Lays

2 to 5 white eggs, incubation 25 to 28 days, fledging after 3 months.