The golden-collared macaw or yellow-collared macaw is a small mostly green Central South American parrot, a member of a large group of Neotropical parrots known as macaws. It has a bright yellow patch on the back of its neck/upper shoulders that gives the species its name. In aviculture, it is one of a number of smaller macaws often called "mini-macaws".
Region
Central South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from central Brazil through eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It favors savanna woodlands, gallery forests, and palm-dotted landscapes of the Cerrado, Pantanal, and Chaco edges. Often found along forest edges, riparian corridors, and in semi-open country with scattered tall trees for roosting. It may use agricultural mosaics where fruiting trees and palms remain. Roosting and nesting typically occur in natural tree cavities.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the yellow-collared macaw, this small "mini-macaw" is highly intelligent, vocal, and social. Its namesake golden collar sits at the nape, contrasting with blue flight feathers and a mostly green body. In aviculture it can be affectionate but is a strong chewer that needs ample enrichment and space. Wild birds are adaptable and often seen in pairs or small flocks.
Two at Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo, Hawaii, USA
At Kakegawa Kacho-en, Japan
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid, direct wingbeats
Social Behavior
Commonly seen in pairs or small flocks, with larger communal roosts outside the breeding season. Pairs are monogamous and nest in tree cavities. Clutch size is typically 2–4 eggs, and both parents participate in care. They are alert, vocal, and maintain close contact calls while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, harsh screeches and metallic yaps that carry over distance. At close range they give nasal chatters and rolling chirps, softening to murmurs when perched and relaxed.
Plumage
Mostly green with a distinct narrow yellow collar on the nape; blue outer flight feathers and tail tips; some maroon on the belly/underwing coverts; whitish bare facial skin with fine dark feather lines.
Diet
Feeds on a variety of seeds, fruits, nuts, and palm fruits, as well as flowers and buds. Uses a powerful bill to crack hard seeds and husk nuts. Foraging often follows seasonal availability of fruiting trees and palms. May occasionally visit crops where natural foods are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in canopy and mid-story of forest edges, gallery forests, and savanna woodlands. Frequently uses palm groves and riparian trees and may enter agroforestry areas with scattered large trees. Often feeds while perched, moving between fruiting trees in small groups.
