Ara auster parrot | Facts & Information

Origin

They have a wide range of distribution from Panama down the Pacific coast of the Andes to Ecuador.

Their range also extends in the eastern Andes on the mountainous coasts of the Amazon Basin to Bolivia and in the Northeast to Suriname.

They can be found in the media and literature under the names: Ara austeri, Severe macaw, the Chestnut-fronted Macaw, etc.

It is not currently extinct and the species is not in danger.

Feeding Parrot Ara Auster

All Ara parrots need a lot of energy. Much of their natural diet, especially palm nuts, is high in oils and calories.

Ara parrots should be fed a specially designed diet (granulated or extruded) supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables to add variety and stimulate their psyche. From these types of diets, Ara austere parrots should receive about a third of a cup, supplemented by another third of a cup of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed before Administration to remove dirt and pesticides. Provide them with a wide variety of fresh foods such as green and yellow vegetables, fruits, melons and nuts (1-2 almonds, as delicacies).

Among their favorites are broccoli (no more than 2 times a week), carrots, lettuce leaves, green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, oranges (fruits rich in acid – citric acid – should be given in limited quantities), apples, strawberries, bananas, grapes, melons, kiwi, mango, papaya and pears.

Nuts can be represented by Nuts of the black walnut, pecan, macadamia, almonds and hazelnuts. Peanuts are often contaminated with moulds and will need to be opened initially to be checked.

Small amounts of seeds may as well be offered as "attentions," especially as rewards for good behavior. Although they are highly appreciated by Ara parrots, they are not the most nutritious food. There are special seed mixtures for Ara, which usually contain sunflower seeds, a mix of other seeds, nuts and even some dried fruits.

Many of these mixtures specifically designed for Ara parrots are labeled as vitaminized, but generally the vitamins are applied to the seed shells, so they are lost when the bird peels off the seed to consume it.

Vitamin supplements are not necessary for birds that are fed such a complete diet specifically designed for Ara parrots. Ara parrots that are fed only with seeds should receive a daily vitamin-mineral supplement.

In pet-shops you can find them in the form of solutions that are easily administered in drinking water. However, this form of administration is not the most indicated. Many vitamins break down quickly in water.

B complex vitamins do not have a pleasant (bitter) taste, so most manufacturers add sugar to soften their taste. The combination of sugar and vitamins in water and the bird's habit of putting food and excrement in it lead to a very inappropriate mixture and is a favorable environment for the development of bacteria.

The ideal is for vitamins to be introduced into soft foods. For example, a good choice are sweet potatoes, yogurt (in small quantities) and oatmeal porridge, but just as well, they can be sprinkled on juicy, soft vegetables and fruits.

Never offer parrots coffee, chocolate, foods with excessive sugar content, alcoholic beverages or avocados. Parrots also do not need grits.

Fresh water must be provided at all times. Parrots like to soak their food in water, so it will have to be changed more often than with other species of cage birds. Dishes should be kept clean to prevent the growth of bacteria, and should be washed daily.

Features Parrot Ara Auster

Austere Ara parrots are small, green Ara parrots. They are similar in appearance to military Ara parrots, but have chestnut-colored foreheads. The bare facial skin is extended and white and has strings of black feathers that form lines, and a red-orange spot is present on the shoulders.

Their tail is long and conical and shows a brownish and blue coloration. Distinctive markings: they are predominantly green Ara parrots with the edges and internal face of the wings red, the forehead, the edges of the cheeks and the chin dark chestnut-colored, the upper part of the tail reddish brown to green towards the middle and with the tip blue, while the lower part of the tail is dark red.

The periocular rings are white, the beak is black, and the legs are light gray. The ARA auster parrot can reach a body weight around 200-1700 g and a body length of 75-85 cm.

The young Ara parrots raised by humans are very adaptable and generally very easy to caress by many people. Ara parrots can be Extraordinary Companion birds, although some of them tend to become distant and cold.

Austere Ara parrots are not as loud as large Ara parrots. These Ara parrots can speak, but have a limited ability to imitate.

They are playful and like to peck. You must always provide them with toys, pieces of wood that they can peck and branches of nontoxic trees.

To protect them from danger and accidents, pet parrots should not be allowed to stay free and unattended in the home, as they can often find toxic or dangerous items.

Be socialized with as many people as possible and exposed to a variety of situations such as new cages, toys, visits to the veterinarian, befriending close family, shortening wings and angles, etc.to avoid the development of fear of the unknown.

Ara parrots are very active and you should provide them with the largest cage that space and budget allow. The cage must be spacious enough to allow the bird to open its wings without touching its edges and to move easily between two perches, otherwise muscle atrophy may set in, leading to the bird's inability to fly.

An example of a suitable size for a suspended cage for austere Ara parrots is 0.9 x 0.9 x 1.8 m or 2 x 2 x 2.4 m, although the larger the cage the better. The cages will have to be suspended about 1m from the ground.

Cages for austere Ara parrots must be constructed of hard wire, even if they are not as big destroyers as large Ara parrots. Many of them learn to open their cage locks, so you're likely to have to use locks or latches to make sure your parrot can't escape.

Ideally, pet parrots should also be provided with a large cage placed outside for bathing and exercise.

Frequent bathing or showering is vital for maintaining good skin and plumage. Cutting your claws regularly will also help you improve your relationship with your companion.

The use of concrete perches or an abrasive material will help them to remove the sharp tips, but will not reduce the length of the guerutele. For this reason, periodically, the guardrails will have to be shortened or filed. This workmanship is good to initiate since the bird is young so that it can get used to it.

Breeding Parrot Ara Auster

Austere Ara parrots mate quite well in captivity. Mating season is usually spring and early summer, but some pairs can mate almost all year round.

The female usually lays 2-4 eggs and only in certain situations more. The incubation period lasts about 23-26 days.

During the mating season, in order to stimulate reproduction, in the diet of austere Ara parrots will have to add supplements of seeds with a high fat content, such as sunflower. Owners who do not have experience in hand-feeding will need to allow their parents to feed their offspring for the first few weeks.

Austere Ara parrots like vertical wooden nesting boxes (30 x 30 x 60 cm) more than horizontal ones. Also, Ara parrots should be provided with sufficient pecking material. Pine thalassum is an excellent bedding for nesting boxes.

When Ara parrots mate, noise and distance from neighbors must be taken into account.

Aggression between partners is unusual in Ara parrots. The bonds that are created between partners are strong, but do not necessarily Last their entire lives.

Ara auster parrots are relatively hardy and healthy birds. However, the following diseases and conditions were reported with an increased frequency: plucking feathers, parrot fever, bacterial infections, kidney disease, allergies, poisoning, etc.

Some occur due to incorrect care and improper nutrition.

The life expectancy of the ARA auster parrot is about 30-45 years.