Macaws, scientifically named Psittacidae, are some of the most colorful and charming members of the parrot family that are kept as pet birds. They are huge in size, have a vivid plumage, quite noisy, and are popular as companion parrots.
Being popular pet birds, finding the right name that will help you to easily interact with them is very important. You can name your pet macaw after its color, character, the sound it makes, or simply source name ideas from famous birds, personalities or items.
The following is a collection of the best names for both female & male macaws as well as pairs. In addition, learn more about the different species of macaws plus fun and interesting facts about these attractive flyers.
Cute Female Macaw Names
Coco-A female name of American origin that means chocolate Bean.
Flora-A female name of Latin origin that means flower.
Juno-A feminine name of Latin origin that means queen of heaven.
Love-A Unisex name of English origin that means female wolf.
Melody– The name means song… a sweet song
Mojo-The name is of African American origin that means fertility, rain, music, dance or lucky charm
Sunny – An awesome name for a female pet macaw that adds sunshine to your existence.
Calypso – This is a feminine name that bears a Greek origin and translates into “She who hides.”
Noella – This is a French name that means Christmas.
Minnie – A short form of small. Ideas for an adorable, small-sized girl macaw.
Justine – A name of Latin origin that means fair
More girl macaw names
- Ava
- Amelia
- Aubrey
- Buffy
- Beauty
- Chloe
- Cherry
- Coco
- Dusty
- Darling
- Grace
- Nina
- Minnie
- Layla
- Clovia
- Harper
- Pearl
- Tootsie
- Kelly
- Erin
- Leia
- Tara
- Sparkle
- Ivy
- Simone
- Jasmine
- Sasha
- Opal
- Lucie
- Scarlet
- Pinky
- Penny
- Dinah
- Charlotte
- Paisley
- Skyee
- Stella
- Zazza
- Zola
- Zizzy
- Zoe
Great Male Macaw Names
Archer-A male name of Latin origin that means bow, bowman.
Kiwi– It is a male name used as a symbol of pride and endearment for the people of New Zealand.
Avery– A name of French origin that means wise, or ruling with elf-wisdom.
Buddy-A male name of American origin that means friend.
Chatterbox-A Unisex name that refers to one who engages in much idle talk.
Cisco-A male name of Spanish origin that means free.
Cleo-The name is of Greek origin. It means pried, fame or glory.
Lago-A name of Spanish and Portuguese origin that means someone living by a Lake.
Jersey-A gender-neutral name of English origin that means Grassy Island.
Aero-A gender-neutral name of Greek origin that means Of the Sky.
Tyler – Pick this name for a pet macaw that seems to have a very dominating character
Hudson – Indeed a winning option for a pet with quite an adventurous demeanor.
Roy – This is a Scottish name for a masculine macaw that means king
Rocky – Macaws are tough…their beaks are strong enough to crack a coconut! They deserve names that reflect their toughness
James – Macaws are charismatic…just like James Bond
Cosmo – This is an Italian name that embodies beauty, decency, and order.
Other Boy Macaw names;
- Arthur
- Arnold
- Bruce
- Ben
- Chris
- David
- Dennis
- Toby
- Harold
- Petrie
- Steve
- Buster
- Hermes
- George
- Joey
- Oliver
- Oscar
- Nigel
- Harry
- Hugo
- Freddie
- Liam
- Max
- Pete
- Jack
- Luke
- Oscar
- Rico
- Wade
Unique Unisex Macaw Names
- Speckles
- Archimedes
- Tookie
- Bobo
- Houdini
- Konga
- Jinzo
- Gibbers
- Roo
- Couscous
- Prudence
- Elmo
- Chaz
- Ethel
- Hula
- Chantey
- Chive
- Axel
- Speedy
- Jose
- Hoppy
- Zane
- Ace
- Molkky
- Paco
- Peaches
- Pepsi
- Pilot
- Polly
- Pixel
- Piper
- Quiver
- Rasmus
- Rico
- Ringo
- Roo
- Zazu
Blue and Yellow/Gold Macaw Names
- Aqua
- Azure
- Goldie
- Jewel
- Banana
- Blondie
- Royal
- Blueberry
- Ocean
- Denim
- Sea
- Cyan
- Cobalt
- Biscuit
- Sapphire
- Giallo
- Roux
- Crystal
- Guara
- Surfer
- Zlatan
- Laguna
- Treasure
- Sparkle
- Creamer
- Zerrin
- Carmel
- Cookie
- Corky
- Ginger
- Godiva
- Gold
- Karo
- Honey
- Marzi
- Mellow
- Vanilla
- Whiskey
- Penny
- Nutmeg
- Tequila
- Toffi
- Twinkie
- Waffle
Military Macaw Names
- Ace
- Alpha
- AK
- Amour
- Armie
- Bazooka
- Bullet
- Camo
- Captain
- Hero
- Chief
- Delta
- Colonel
- Jungle
- General
- Victor
- Segre
- Remington
- Remmi
- Dagger
- Laser
- Hammer
- Colt
- Canon
- Smoky
- Gunner
- Hunter
- Major
- Havoc
- Liberty
- Navy
- Justice
- Missile
- Ranger
- Echo
- Walter
- Snipper
- Sargent
- Striker
Funny & Punny Macaw Names
- Maca-lay Culkin
- Paul Macawney
- Angry Bird
- Christopher Squawken
- David Peckham
- Feather Small
- Stephen Squawking
- Ms. Macaw
Macaw Types/Species & Scientific Names.
Macaw scientific name is Psittacidae, which generally translates to “true parrot family”. Further, they are part of the Arinae, or the neotropical parrots or New World parrots subfamily and the Arini tribe that also includes parakeets.
There are six subfamilies of Macaws which comprise over 15 types of macaws, including extinct and critically endangered species.
Anodorhynchus
- Glaucous macaw, Anodorhynchus glaucus (critically endangered or extinct)
- Hyacinth macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
- Indigo macaw or Lear’s macaw, Anodorhynchus leari
Ara
- Blue-and-yellow macaw or blue-and-gold macaw, Ara ararauna
- Blue-throated macaw, Ara glaucogularis
- Military macaw, Ara militaris
- Great green macaw or Buffon’s macaw, Ara ambiguus
- Scarlet macaw or Aracanga, Ara macao
- Red-and-green macaw or green-winged macaw, Ara chloropterus
- Red-fronted macaw, Ara rubrogenys
- Chestnut-fronted macaw or severe macaw, Ara severa
Primolius
- Blue-headed macaw, Primolius couloni
- Blue-winged macaw or Illiger’s macaw, Primolius maracana
- Golden-collared macaw, Primolius auricollis
Orthopsittaca
Red-bellied macaw, Orthopsittaca manilata
Diopsittaca
Red-shouldered macaw or Hahn’s macaw, Diopsittaca nobilis
Cyanopsitta
Little blue macaw or Spix’s macaw, Cyanopsitta spixii
Hybrid Macaws
The popularity of pet macaws has been steadily growing in the recent past due to their charming nature, intelligence and sparkling colors. This popularity has resulted to crossbreeding, a practice that has led an existence of hybrid species of macaws
For instance, the Harlequin is a new macaw breed that is a cross between the blue and gold and the green wing species.
From the many macaw species listed above, the most common, popular as well as rare ones include the following.
Hyacinth Macaw (Largest)
In terms of length, it is not only the largest macaw but also the largest flying parrot. The hyacinth/hyacinthine macaw measures 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long from the tip of its tail to the top of its head.
Scientifically named Anodorhynchus hyacinthinusis, Hyacinth macaws are characterized by their strikingly beautiful cobalt-blue plumage and large bodies. They are native to central and eastern South America.
Hahn’s Macaw Smallest
Also known as the red-shouldered macaw, it is the smallest mini-macaw. It grows to only 14 inches (1.17 ft). The Hahn’s macaw is one of two varieties of red-shouldered macaws. The noble macaw (Ara nobilis cumanensis) is the other, and both are native to northern South America
Blue-and- Yellow Macaw
Also known as the blue-and-gold macaw, it is one of the most beautiful, intelligent, and majestic large macaws.
It gets its nickname from its beautiful bright yellow and blue feathers. Its wings and tail are blue, while the underparts are yellow or golden or light orange. It also has a green forehead, a white face, and a black
Spix’s Macaw-Rarest Parrot
It is also known as the little blue macaw. It is considered the world’s rarest species of parrot
Scarlet Macaw-Colorful
The Scarlet Macaw is a large, gorgeously red, yellow, and blue parrot with a prominent color of red throughout its body. It is native to Central and South America.
Milatary Macaw
Scientifically known as Ara Militaris, the military macaw is a large parrot and a medium-sized macaw that gets its name from its predominantly green plumage resembling a military parade uniform. It is native to the forests of Mexico and South America
Red-and-green Macaw
Also known as the green-winged macaw, is the second-largest (after the hyacinth). It is widespread in the forests and woodlands of northern and central South America.
Great Green Macaw
The great green macaw, also known as Buffon’s macaw, is a Central and South American parrot found in Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador
Lear’s macaw
Also known as the indigo macaw, it is a large parrot native to Brazil. It is metallic blue with a faint, often barely visible, tinge of green, and a yellow patch of skin at the base of the heavy, black bill.
The indigo macaw’s appearance is quite similar to that of the bigger hyacinth macaw and the slightly smaller glaucous macaw.
The hyacinth macaw can be distinguished by its darker plumage, lack of greenish tinge, and a differently shaped patch of yellow skin adjacent to the base of the bill. The glaucous macaw is paler and has a more greyish head
Blue-throated Macaw
Also known as the Caninide macaw or Wagler’s macaw. An endemic to a small area of north-central Bolivia known as Los Llanos de Moxos.
Chestnut-fronted Macaw
This is one of the largest of the mini-macaws. It reaches a size around 45cm of which around half is its tail’s length.
Fun and Interesting Facts about Macaw Parrots
The colorful plumage, large size, and ability to copy human speech, along with other noises in their environment are the attributes that macaws are famous for. These are the same features that made them “show birds” and “attention getters” all around the world.
A macaw’s facial feather pattern is highly distinctive and thought to be as unique as a fingerprint.
The Spix’s macaw is one of the rarest birds in the world: it is estimated that there are only 177 captive individuals in the world. The species was declared extinct in the wild in 2000
The military macaw is named for the green uniforms that many soldiers use in South America.
Macaws have a brilliant plumage and a coloring that not only makes them some of the most beautiful flying creatures but also allows them to thrive in the rainforest’s bright fruits, flowers and vivid green canopies.
Macaws can perform tricks and mimic human speech. This is due to the fact they are highly intelligent and social birds and are thought to have a particularly well-developed vocal learning center in their brain In captivity, they can be trained to perform wonderful tricks as imitate and practice specific words until they perfect exact sounds and even accents.
Macaws are the largest of all species of parrot throughout the world
Like other parrots, macaws have long toes with sharp claws, have two toes facing forward and two facing backward (the zygodactyl or yoke-toed foot). They are designed to have the perfect grip to latch on to the fruits they eat and hang on to the branches.
Owing to how their toes are created, their walks look pretty goofy on a flat surface.
Some macaw species have a large and extremely powerful beak which they use crack into seeds and hard nuts including coconuts. The beaks can also cause harm to strangers. They’ve also been observed using their powerful beak as a third leg.
Once they reach breeding age at around 3 to 4 years old, macaws will pick a partner and stay and mate with them for life
They are quite noisy-Their loud calls, squawks and other distinctive vocalizations can be heard from a distance. Apart from excitement, the noise is used as a way to mark territory, communicate with the flock and identify partners.
Macaws are naturally social. These birds are gregarious creatures that congregate in flocks of anywhere between 30 and 100 individuals.
Macaws are long-lived birds-some species can actually outlive their owners. Most macaws have an average lifespan of 60 years in the wild but when properly taken care of, some species, such as blue and gold macaws, can live for up to 80 years or even more.
Macaws have black or grey eyes when they are young and later change to brownish and then yellow when they get old.
The scarlet macaw is the national bird of Honduras
A red-fronted macaw can fly at the speed of about 40 miles per hour.
Even though they are hunted and entrapped but macaws are also respected and appear on one of the Brazilian banknotes.
They are omnivorous and their diet is fruits, nuts, seeds, small mammals, reptiles, eggs, and some vegetation that are considered poisonous.
They love to chew and can chew up a lot of stuff in your house.
Their tongues are scaly and dry which have a bone within to tap fruits
The macaws of the Amazon region have been observed eating clay from river beds. It is believed that the dump soil is a valuable source of minerals, particularly sodium which is hard for animals to obtain in the rainforest. Some also believe that clay neutralizes the toxins in foods they eat or aids digestion
While macaws are immune to the poisons found in many of their foods of choice, they are surprisingly thought to find cherries, avocados and chocolate poisonous
Their colorful feathers are used in Amazonian tribal headdresses for many reasons. Though they add a touch of beauty and decoration to the wearers, they also identify the wearer with nature. Some cultures link some specific plumages to some mythical powers
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