Animal-World > Pet Birds > Macaw Types > Ruby Macaw

Ruby Macaw

Family: Psittacidae

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Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Deborah Pearson

   The beautiful Ruby Macaw quickly reminds us of a Green-winged Macaw, but is distinguished by the addition of bright yellow and orange feathers scattered across the center of its back and wings!

   The Ruby Macaw is a hybrid cross between a Scarlet Macaw and a Green-winged Macaw and is quite attractive. Hybrids are usually bred for color rather than personality, so their characteristics can be uncertain.

   The personality of a Scarlet is such that it requires good socialization and a firm consistent hand in training, especially as it matures. The Green-wing is a very gentle, affectionate and sensitive macaw. The Ruby can have the characteristics of the Scarlet, but it can also incorporate the gentle nature of the Green-winged. Ruby Macaws can be a very affectionate and playful, good talkers, and fun pets that are very beautiful.

   Hybrid breeding combinations are given on the Hybrid Macaws page.

For information about the care of Macaws see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Macaw

Description:
   Ruby Macaws are exceedingly striking and rank right up there among the most colorful of the Macaws. They are a full size Macaw and can learn to talk with a general vocabulary of about 15 or more words or expressions. A Ruby Macaw needs good socialization and a firm consistent hand in training, especially it matures.
   In the mating pair, the male has the dominate gene. Often times the overall coloration of the Ruby Macaw can be very similar to the Green-winged Macaw and they are often mistakenly thought to be a Green-winged Macaw. Coloration varies however, even in babies from the same clutch.
  If the male parent is a Green-winged Macaw, the offspring will generally have the same size body and head as the father. What distinguises the Ruby from the Green-winged father is the center band of feathers. These feathers can be a mixture of varying amounts of yellows and oranges, and they can be edged with different shades of yellows and oranges. If the male parent is a Scarlet Macaw, the offspring will generally have the head and body size of a Scarlet. The amount and coloration of the facial feathers will also generally be more similar to those of the respective father. There is very little facial feathering on the offspring of a Scarlet father.

Care and feeding:
   A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch.
   In the wild their parent species eat a variety of palm nuts, fruits, seeds, and possibly vegetable matter from the treetops. Provide them with a good parrot mix that includes formulated foods, seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. They will also enjoy fruits and vegetables.

   See About Macaws: Housing and About Macaws: Care and Feeding for more information.

Distribution:
   This is a hybrid not found in the wilds.

Size - Weight:
   The Ruby Macaw is a full sized macaw, very close to the same size as its parentage. They will reach over 2 pounds. The length of the Scarlet Macaw is up to 85 cm (33.5 inches) and the Green-winged Macaw is up to 90 cm (35.5 inches). A Ruby Macaw will reach a size somewhere in the middle and possibly closer to that of the father.

Social Behaviors:
   They are a typical macaw. Can be cranky at times and may even be a one person bird or only like men or women unless well socialized with lots or folks.

   See About Macaws: Social Behaviors for information on developing a well rounded friendly macaw. (Also information on handling and activities)

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Because it is a hybrid it is generally not bred.

Sexual differences: No visible differences.

Potential Problems: Can be noisy (as can all macaws).

   See About Macaws: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability: This bird is somewhat hard to find and fairly expensive. There are more and more breeders however and they are becoming more common.

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Latest Comments
I have a wonderful Second generation Ruby named Valen, She is the light of my life. And I enjoy her so much, she is nothing like first Generations, she is not high strung like the first generations can be, she loves to play and she is learning everyday. She will be 1 years old in Feb. of this year. What a joy she is... thanks, donna donna 2009-01-02
My ruby macaw named Rico entered my life about 6 years ago. I got her from a breeder when she was able to eat on her own. She was hand raised and very tame from day 1. She is a lovely and absolute pretty macaw. The feathers have this ruby glow and in size she is as big as a greenwing. The young lady developed into a good talker and performs little tricks and acrobatics - especially when she seems to get too little attention! Her appetite is enormous as well as the volume of her voice. But never the less - I would not give her away for anything in the world. Barbara from Northern Germany 2008-07-05
I have been owned by a Ruby for over a year, and find the combo of a greenwing dad and a scarlet mom the most wonderful I have encountered. If you want a beautiful loving bird that can have a mean streak (playful and sarcastic) this is the right bird. They are expensive to buy and to keep, but all macaws are. Mine is the most social macaw I have ever encountered and tends to be a "velro bird", so be prepared to spend LOADS of time with this gentle giant. James 2007-12-15
I purchased Samson 6 months ago, life will never be the same. He has a mind of his own! Sam has become a full fledged member of this chaotic family that also consists of five kids, an african grey, Umbrella Cockatoo, two cats, & 2 dogs <airedale and shihtzu>. He has a massive cage on the deck and really enjoys talking to the neighbors or screaming for help in a high pitched voice when he feels no one is watching his show! When the girls are playing and screaming he has to join in whether they all are outside or inside. My two warnings to anyone thinking of buying one is that they are extremely messy and loud. The purchase price is just the beginning. They are like a high maintenance spouse. Always costing you for something. Samson eats at the table with us out of his own plate and glass. He is 37.5 inches long and around 4lbs. leslie jo 2007-09-23
i have two of these beautiful birds. mine are very smart and loveable. they are great eaters and very active with the family and the rest of the birds i have. we do not breed our birds, they are part off our family and they are all so spoiled. sometimes it is very loud but we seemed to ajust, for they have a right to express their opinions as we do. some people cannot believe i handle 6 macaws, 2 cockatoos, and many more. the ruby macaw is very comical and fun to be with. they have the best diet and many snacks to watch tv with, they even know how to push the buttons on the remote control. so they run the house, we just pay for it... heather stent 2007-06-04
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this website rocks! vic 2006-06-23

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Author: Clarice Brough, CAS