The ara militaris parrot | Facts & Information

Origin

Military Ara parrots have their range in a few restricted and isolated areas of South and Central America.

In Mexico, they can be found on hills at the base of mountainous terrain, in arid pine and oak forests, as well as in savannas. In South America, they can be found in tropical hill forests, mainly in Venezuela, Bolivia and Colombia.

Feeding Parrot Ara militaris

They feed on locally available fruits and especially coconuts, other nuts and buds.

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, military Ara parrots should receive about a quarter cup, supplemented with another quarter 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 (2-3 nuts, 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 with 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 militaris

Ara military parrots are almost entirely green, except for a bright red frontal spot. Although they are very similar to Ara Buffon parrots, Ara military parrots are a smaller species and show a darker green coloration. The bare facial skin, which turns red when the bird gets excited, is white with lines of black feathers.

The tail is long and tapered. The internal front of the wings is golden, while the upper side of the feathers involved in flight is blue. Their beaks are large and powerful, being adapted for opening large nuts. Ara militarosi parrots are small parrots with a body length of about 20-27 cm and a body weight around 250-400 g.

Captive-bred parrots are highly adaptable and are especially easy for most individuals to raise. They will have to 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 angles, etc.to avoid developing fear of the unknown.

They are excellent pet birds, especially hyacinth and military birds, although some of them may become distant and picky. They can be very loud and destructive. Although some talk, most Ara parrots have a limited ability to imitate.

Ara parrots are playful and like to peck. For this reason, you must provide them with "toys" and especially pieces of wood and branches from non-toxic trees.

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 hanging cage for large Ara parrots is 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.

Sociable and very talkative, these parrots are a pleasant company and have a balanced personality, if you take care of them and feed them from the palm of your hand when they are small. Otherwise, they have a curious nature, they like to play and interact with people. If you want such a parrot, you have to spend a lot of time with him.

The ARA militaris parrot resembles the great Ara green parrot (great green macaw). Although many people say they're the same, they're not. Many do not know the two species and therefore confuse them.

The two species differ in size, obviously the great parrot is larger or color, if we look at their colors well, or put two species next to each other we can see that the Great Green Parrot has lighter feathers.

They are not only light green, but also have a yellowish-green color. These are the two major differences between the two species.

Ara militaris militaris

Ara militaris mexicana

Ara militaris boliviana

The differences between the three subspecies are quite small, they vary in size and color. Ara militaris militaris is the smallest subspecies while Ara militaris mexicana is the largest.

Breeding Parrot Ara militaris

Military Ara parrots frequently mate in captivity. Mating season is generally spring and early summer, but some pairs may mate throughout the year.

The female lays about 2-4 eggs and rarely more. Incubation lasts around 23-27 days. during the mating season, in order to stimulate reproduction, in the diet of military 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.

Wooden nesting boxes, horizontal, large (about 60 x 60 x 90 cm or 60 x 60 x 120 cm) are well accepted by large Ara parrots, while others will accommodate much better in vertical wooden nesting boxes (about 40 x 40 x 90 cm). 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 they don't last their entire lives.

Military Ara parrots are relatively hardy and healthy birds.

Ara Militaris parrots can live 40-50 years or more, depending on living conditions and freedom of movement.