Hybrid Macaws (34 Types of Hybrid Macaws)

Last Updated on March 4, 2023 by Ali Shahid

Hybrid macaws are the result of breeding two different parent macaw species together. The hybrid macaw is bred for its astonishing colors. They can be of the F1, F2, or F3 generation.

There is no scientific name for hybrid macaws, and they are often referred to by the names of the two species of macaw they come from. Since a hybrid macaw consists of more than one type of bird, its temperament and behavior will be varied.

There will be some overlap between the traits of the parents of a hybrid, but often one parent will exhibit more traits than the other.

Knowing the characteristics of both parents will allow you to determine the types of behaviors and temperaments your macaw may exhibit.

For you to be competent and comfortable handling the offspring, you should be familiar with both types of parent Macaws.

Significant controversy surrounds the hybridization of macaws and other parrots, with both sides presenting strong arguments in support of their position.

According to some bird lovers, it is not advisable to breed hybrids because they can dilute the “pure” bloodlines. According to some, hybrids possess greater beauty, and intelligence, and are less likely to contract diseases.

Regardless of the circumstances, hybrid macaws have been embraced by bird lovers throughout the world and are here to stay.

Hybrid Macaws Types or Generation

There are around 34 hybrid macaws produced through cross-breeding. These are further divided into different types as follows:

• F1 Generation

F1 generation hybrid Macaws are produced through the cross of Parent Macaw Species. Here is an Example of First generation hybrid macaws:

• Bluffon’s Macaw: Blue and Gold Macaw x Buffon’s Macaw
• Buffwing Macaw: Green-winged Macaw x Buffon’s Macaw
• Calico Macaw: Green-winged Macaw x Military Macaw
• Caloshua Macaw: Blue and Gold Macaw x Hyacinth Macaw
• Catalina Macaw: Blue and Gold Macaw x Scarlet Macaw
• Emerald Macaw: Buffon’s Macaw x Hyacinth Macaw
• Harlequin Macaw: Blue and Gold Macaw x Green-winged Macaw
• Maui Sunset Macaw: Blue and Gold Macaw x Red-fronted Macaw
• Milicinth Macaw: Military Macaw x Hyacinth Macaw
• Miliffon’s Macaw: Military Macaw x Buffon’s Macaw
• Miligold Macaw: Blue and Gold Macaw x Military Macaw
• Ruby Macaw: Scarlet Macaw x Green-winged Macaw
• Shamrock Macaw: Scarlet Macaw x Military Macaw
• Verde Macaw: Scarlet Macaw x Buffon’s Macaw
• Not Named Yet: Hyacinth Macaw x Scarlet Macaw

• F2 Generation

It is possible to produce F2 generations by crossing a parent macaw species with a hybrid macaw of the first generation. Here are some examples of 2nd generation macaw hybrids:

• Camelot Macaw: Scarlet Macaw x Catalina Macaw
• Cameo Macaw: Green-winged Macawn x Calico Macaw
• Catablu Macaw: Blue and Gold Macaw x Catalina Macaw
• Flame Macaw: Green-winged Macaw x Catalina Macaw
• Sharlequin Macaw: Harlequin Macaw x Shamrock Macaw
• Harligold Macaw: Blue and Gold Macaw x Harlequin Macaw
• Jubilee Macaw: Green-winged Macaw x Harlequin Macaw
• Maui Sunrise Macaw: Harlequin Macaw x Catalina Macaw
• Milicat Macaw: Miligold Macaw x Catalina Macaw
• Quatro Macaw: Ruby Macaw x Harlequin Macaw
  Rubalina Macaw: Ruby Macaw x Catalina Macaw
• Not Named Yed: Scarlet Macaw x Shamrock Macaw
• Starlight Macaw: Scarlet Macaw x Miligold Macaw
• Tropicana Macaw: Scarlet Macaw x Harlequin Macaw

• F3 Generation

The third generation of hybrid macaws is produced by crossing two hybrid macaws. Here are some examples:

• Camelina Macaw: Camelot Macaw x Catalina Macaw
• Capri Macaw: Camelot Macaw x Scarlet Macaw
• Fiesta Macaw: Camelot Macaw x Harlequin Macaw
• Not Named Yet: Hyacinth Macaw x Jubilee Macaw
• Not Named Yet: Scarlet Macaw X (Catalina X Military)

Hybrid Macaws (In Natural VS In Captivity)

Hybrid macaws in nature

Natural barriers and mating behaviors reduce the chance of macaws hybridizing in the wild, although some rare cases exist.

Conservation Genetics (2001) documented the natural hybridization of Spix’s and Illiger’s macaws, which showed two macaw species can produce offspring.

Considering that Spix’s macaw may now be fully extinct in the wild, this discovery created a major breakthrough in the preservation of this species and macaws generally.

Hybrid macaws in captivity

Multiple macaw species are usually housed in the same enclosure, resulting in the hybridization of macaws. Breeders may intentionally produce hybrid offspring by pairing different species.

However, it is possible for parrots to select such a partner on their own if they do not have an acceptable conspecific of their opposite gender. In recent years, hybrid macaw production has increased due to the growing popularity of exotic pets.

Breeders and traders of exotic and competitive birds are very interested in their distinctive coloring.

Additionally, they have been bred for their “pet qualities” and personality traits that can be attributed to the careful mixing of two different species of birds.

For example, Catalina macaws are bred for their intelligence and ability to respond to training, and Harlequin macaws are bred for their calm and relaxed personality. Nevertheless, hybrids may differ in temperament, behavior, and color.

Lately, too many blue-and-yellow macaw females are in captivity, and they’re highly hybridized.

It’s unethical for bird breeders to breed hybrid macaws, especially endangered ones. This is because it dilutes bloodlines and can produce hybrids that look identical to one species while containing genes from another. This could hurt conservation efforts When captive macaws are needed to keep pure species alive (as with the Spix’s macaw).

Typical Characteristics of Hybrid Macaws

The specific features of hybrid macaws that differentiate them from natural or parent macaws include:

• Hybrids Colors

Hybrid macaws have traditionally been bred for their color. The dominant gene is inherited from the father, so the appearance of the offspring will generally be determined by that gene.

It has been suggested, however, that the sex of the offspring might also influence the color of the offspring. Females tend to inherit the father’s color traits, while males inherit the mother’s.

• Size

A hybrid macaw may be larger or smaller in size than its parent species, depending on the degree of crossbreeding. Harlequin macaws, for example, are hybrids of the green-winged macaw and blue and gold macaw, and they tend to be smaller than both parent species.

• Feather patterns

Hybrid macaws can have distinct feather patterns that differ from their parent species. For instance, the Jubilee macaw is a cross between the harlequin and green-winged macaw and has a unique feather pattern with red, blue, and green colors.

• Hybrid Personalities

Cross-breeding hybrids have presented the challenge of muddy coloring. Some third-generation crosses and deeper crosses have been found to exhibit this defect, as well as some second-generation crosses.

There’s no information on their temperament or behavior. A hybrid seems to inherit traits from both parents, though usually, one parent’s traits are stronger than the other’s.

Hybrid Macaw Names

For hybrid Macaws, there are no scientific names, unlike species in nature. The most common way people recognize them is as hybrids. Nonetheless, common names have the same history as scientific names.

Common names can also be derived from a place or a physical description, such as color or pattern. This is also true of some scientifically described species with common names.

Often, one person uses a name, then others use it and it becomes accepted. These hybrid macaws have beautiful and descriptive names, such as ‘Capri’, ’emerald’, ‘rainbow’, ‘ruby’, and ‘shamrock’.

Vocalizations

Hybrid macaws can have different vocalizations than their parent species, as they may inherit vocalizations from both parents.

The Camelot macaw is a cross between the scarlet and Catalina macaw and has a distinctive vocalization that combines both species’ sounds.

Health issues

Hybrid macaws can be more susceptible to health issues than their parent species, as they may inherit genetic health problems from both parents. For example, the harlequin macaw can have a higher risk of feather plucking and vitamin deficiencies.

Conclusion

Hybrid varieties can be introduced in virtually endless combinations, and more varieties are emerging every day. Despite the fact that hybrid parrots are beautiful pets, there is still debate over whether they should be bred.