Blue and Gold Macaw

Most Blue and Gold Macaws listed on BirdBreeders.com in the last twelve months were priced between $5,500 and $6,800, with a midpoint around $6,500. That is drawn from 136 real listings by breeders on this site over that period, not an estimate. Price varies with age, hand-feeding, DNA sexing and the breeder's location.

Blue and Gold Macaws typically live 50-60 years in good conditions. That is a long commitment for any household, and worth planning for before buying rather than after.

Very loud. Noise is the most common reason parrots are rehomed, so it is worth being honest with yourself about your home, your neighbours and the hours you keep before choosing a species.

Good talker. No individual bird can be promised to speak, whatever the species is known for, so buy for the company rather than the conversation.

An adult is roughly 30.0-34.0 in from head to tail, weighing around 900-1300 g.

A minimum of 48in x 36in x 60in, and wider matters more than taller - birds fly across rather than up. Bar spacing should be 1 - 1.5 in. Treat any minimum as a floor rather than a target.

A pelleted base with vegetables and a measured amount of nuts. Serious chewing material is not optional for a beak this size.

Specialist species. Ask any breeder directly what they think of the match - a breeder who talks you out of a species is worth more than one who does not.

Moderate. It matters more than most people expect for anyone with asthma, and it is worth raising with a doctor before buying rather than afterwards.

Northern and central South America. Birds offered here are captive bred.