Scarlet Macaw Care Guide: Diet, Lifespan, Housing & Health
A vet-informed care guide for the Scarlet Macaw — a advanced-level companion bird that can live 40-50 years. Housing, diet (and toxic foods to avoid), temperament, health and enrichment.
The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is a advanced-level companion bird that can live around 40-50 years — a long commitment. Here is how to care for one properly: housing, diet, health, temperament and enrichment, based on avian-veterinary guidance.
Quick facts
| Care level | Advanced |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 40-50 (up to ~75-90 reported) years |
| Adult size | 81-99 |
| Noise level | Very loud |
| Talking ability | Some |
| Best for | Experienced keepers with aviary-scale space and high noise tolerance; not for apartments, families with young children, or first-time owners. |
Housing a Scarlet Macaw
Minimum recommended cage: Minimum ~91 x 122 x 152 (36 x 48 x 60 in); aviary/flight strongly preferred. Bar spacing ~25-38 mm (1-1.5 in); perch diameter up to ~5 cm.. Bigger is always better — birds fly horizontally, so width matters more than height. Provide varied natural-wood perches of different diameters, and place the cage in a social, draught-free part of the home away from the kitchen (cooking fumes, especially from non-stick cookware, are deadly to birds).
What to feed a Scarlet Macaw
Staple: High-quality formulated pellets as the staple (~75-80% of the diet); a limited portion of tree nuts/seeds for a large macaw's higher fat needs.
Fresh foods: Fresh vegetables and leafy greens (peppers, carrots, greens) with fruit in limited amounts (apple, mango, berries).
Foods that are toxic to your Scarlet Macaw — never feed these
Avocado (persin), chocolate (theobromine), caffeine, alcohol, onion and garlic (Allium), xylitol, salty/sugary processed foods.
Temperament & social needs
Bold, active and intelligent, often described as more nippy/temperamental than blue-and-golds; prone to self-mutilation if confined or bored.
Very social; needs several hours of daily out-of-cage time and interaction; known to self-mutilate and scream when under-stimulated or inadequately housed.
Enrichment
Needs abundant chew/foraging toys, wood, and large climbing space; highly active and requires vigorous out-of-cage exercise.
Common health problems in Scarlet Macaw
Feather-destructive behavior/self-mutilation, obesity and fatty liver, vitamin-A deficiency, psittacosis (chlamydiosis), aspergillosis, proventricular dilatation disease (PDD; historically 'macaw wasting disease'), atherosclerosis with age.
Birds hide illness until they are seriously unwell — a bird that looks "off" is an emergency. Establish care with an avian vet before you need one, and schedule an annual well-bird check.
Setup essentials
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In the wild
The Scarlet Macaw is also a wild bird — see the Scarlet Macaw species profile for its natural range, behaviour and conservation status.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Scarlet Macaw live?
With good care a Scarlet Macaw typically lives 40-50 years — a long-term commitment.
Is a Scarlet Macaw a good pet for beginners?
It is rated Advanced-level. Scarlet Macaws suit experienced keepers with aviary-scale space and high noise tolerance; not for apartments, families with young children, or first-time owners.
What can Scarlet Macaw not eat?
Never feed a Scarlet Macaw: Avocado (persin), chocolate (theobromine), caffeine, alcohol, onion and garlic (Allium), xylitol, salty/sugary processed foods.. These are toxic to birds.
Sources & further reading
- LafeberVet — Basic Information Sheet: Macaw (opens in a new tab)
- Lafeber Pet Birds — Scarlet Macaw species profile (opens in a new tab)
- Lafeber Pet Birds — Foods Toxic to Pet Birds (opens in a new tab)
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Macaws: Feeding (opens in a new tab)
- Merck/MSD Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Disorders & Viral Diseases of Pet Birds
