Hybrid macaws are the product of cross breeding of more than one species ofmacaw, resulting in ahybrid. They are often characterized and bred for their unique and distinct coloring, and for this reason, are highly sought after and valued in the exotic pet trade. Macaws are native to tropicalNorth and South America.^[1] Hybridization of macaws occurs both in nature and captivity, being one of the few species that can produce viable, fertile offspring unlike many other hybrids produced from crossing different species resulting in sterile hybrids with factors that limit their success of survival^[2] (e.g. theliger andmule). Hybrid macaws do not hold any scientific names, and are often labeled by the two macaw species they are produced from (e.g. scarlet macaw × green winged macaw)

Hybrid macaw
Hybrid macaw (left) with blue-and-gold macaw
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Family:	Psittacidae
Subfamily:	Arinae
Tribe:	Arini
Genera
Ara Anodorhynchus Cyanopsitta Primolius Orthopsittaca Diopsittaca

There are 19 species of macaw, many of which can produce up to three generations (potentially more) of hybrids. Generation F1, being the most common, has the widest variety of hybrids and are the most popular and well known. Hybrid macaws are also often viable in generation F2 which means they are able to reproduce, unlike generation F3 and later due to a rising rate of sterility. The most popular hybrids include crossing with theblue and gold macaw,military macaw orscarlet macaw. Despite belonging to a different genus, hybrids between thehyacinth macaw andAra species have also been produced.^[3][4]

Because macaw species are able to hybridize and produce viable offspring, scientists study and breed them in captivity to better understand hybridization, and understand their importance in preserving endangered macaw species. A study performed of the hybridization between the last wildSpix's macaw and anIlliger's macaw, provides evidence and important information that could potentially help establish endangered wild populations of the Spix's macaw, demonstrating how vital hybrid macaws are.^[5]

The hybridization of macaws in the wild is less common than in captivity due to natural barriers and mating behaviors, although a few rare cases have been recorded. One example was the natural hybridization of aSpix's andIlliger's macaw recorded inConservation Genetics (2001), which demonstrated two species of macaws producing offspring. This discovery created a major breakthrough in the preservation of this species and macaws as a whole as it is understood that the Spix's macaw may now be fully extinct in the wild.

The hybridization of macaws is usually due to the placement of multiple macaw species in the same enclosure. Breeders may choose to pair different species to intentionally produce hybrid offspring, or the parrots themselves may select such a partner due to a lack of a suitable conspecific of the opposite sex. Due to the rising interest in hybrid macaws in the exotic-pet trade, production has increased. Their distinct coloring makes them highly sought after by competitive and exotic-bird breeders and traders.^[6] They are also bred for their "pet quality" and personality traits which results from the mixing of two species of birds. One example is the hybridization of theCatalina macaw, which is bred for its intelligence and ability to respond to training, and the harlequin macaw, bred for its relaxed and calm personality. Although, behavior, temperament and coloring can vary from each hybrid.

Recently there has been an over abundance of femaleblue-and-yellow macaws in captivity, and they have been highly hybridized.

Some bird breeders consider intentionally breeding hybrid macaws, particularly endangered species, to be unethical - as to do so is to dilute bloodlines and potentially produce hybrids that appear to be identical to a parent species, yet contain genes from a supposedly separate species. This may prove to be detrimental to conservation efforts if the day ever comes when (as occurred with theSpix's macaw) captive macaws are required to maintain the existence of a pure species.^[7][8]

Hybrid macaws bred in captivity, despite having little conservation value in themselves, have successfully been used in zoological settings as surrogate parents for the eggs and chicks of endangered macaw species, successfully rearing the offspring without human intervention.^[9] In addition, a 2021 study exploring the use of free flight techniques developed by aviculturists and adapting these with the potential goal of returning captive-bred parrots to the wild featured several hybrid macaws as experimental participants.^[10]

First-generation hybrid macaws are the most popular and abundant macaw hybrids.^[11]Examples:

Other Examples

• Maui sunset =red-fronted macaw ×blue-and-gold macaw
• Corrientes macaw =military macaw ×blue-throated macaw^[12]

Examples:^[13][14][15]

• Aqua blush macaw =blue-and-gold macaw x verde macaw
• Miliquin macaw =military macaw × harlequin macaw
• Starlight macaw =scarlet macaw × miligold macaw
• Sunburst macaw =scarlet macaw x verde macaw

Examples:

There is also another F3 Macaw Bred in Australia in 2024 by Peter Barnes.It is called a Flamingold andit's created by breeding an F2 flame macaw with a blue and gold macaw