Hahn's or Red-shouldered (Mini) Macaws
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The Red-shouldered Macaw (a.k.a. "noble macaw", "long-wing macaw" or "Hahn's macaw") is the smallest macaw available in the pet trade. These birds range from 12 to 14 inches in length, and have excellent speech mimicry.
They are common in the commercial pet trade, but their numbers have been dropping in the wild due to habitat loss. They are not yet considered to be an endangered species, but they are listed in Appendix Two of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species. This status greatly limits the ability to capture or sell wild birds.
Description
Like all macaws, D. nobilis has a long narrow tail and a large head. It has bright green feathers on the body, with dark or slate blue feathers on the head just above the beak. The wings and tail have feathers that are bright green above and olive-green below. The leading edges of the wings, especially on the underside, are red. (These red feathers appear at puberty.) Their eyes are orange, and the skin around the eyes is white without feathers, just as in the larger macaws. This bare patch of facial skin is smaller in proportion to the head than the one seen in larger macaws. (Source: Wikipedia.org) ... Sexing: Undeterminable by appearance
As Pets
They are wonderful "mini-parrots" for the right owner who is willing to provide them with lots of space, attention, toys and appropriate care -- and someone who looks beyond their loud voices and occasional nippiness, which can get out of control unless the owner puts in thetime to train the macaw. Not a beginner's bird. They are very demanding and have a tendency to become aggressive or pluck. On the other hand, Hahn's Macaws are more easily trained than the larger macaws.
Maggie Rosenthal, owner of a Hahn's Macaw describes her pet Maxyx as follows:
"She is actually a rehomed bird who was spending 18-20 hrs a day in a covered cage because of her screaming. In the five years she lived with that family they never bonded because of the human's lack of understanding.
1) They didn't know that Hahns macaws are shoulder birds, and saw her wanting to be on their shoulders as a sign of insecurity.
2) They were disappointed in her limited speech, though they didn't talk with her very much.
3) They took her as a young chick but never taught her how to fly or encouraged her attempts - so she is still flightless.
4) They left her alone most of the day - but Hahns are social birds and need companionship. They'd come home and feed her, but since they heard her flock calls as complaining, they'd just cover her cage.
Imagine then, that she arrived to share 400 sq feet living quarters with me, two dogs and a cat; and her days with as many as 6 babies, toddlers, pre-k + kindergarten children. A badge of courage among the oldest children is to have her ride on their heads, with close supervision.
The children have learned that when Maxyx calls, it is to be reassured of where her "flock" is. They know she can never have chocolate or avocados - which I use as an example to teach them of food restrictions in their own families or cultures. They love that she has learned to whisper during quiet time; she has! And they think its hysterical to watch her in the shower, "pretending to be a bat" or airplane, depending on her pose. Within 3 days the excessive screaming stopped - I don't consider flock calls screaming - and together we embarked on a path I never expected; and I bet she didn't either ! (So what if I have been described as "prematurely" eccentric...I'm almost old enough to earn the title!)
I love her very much, worry that if I die before her she will not ever find someone who loves her as much as I do again, worry that if she dies before me my heart will break into pieces."
Beauty of Bird's Note: I appreciate Maggie's heartfelt input with regard to her pet bird and believe that it should be considered an important tool in deciding as to whether or not to add a Hahn's Macaw to your own home. The Hahn's can be a wonderful pet in the right home. For individuals who are sensitive to noise and are not willing to deal with the special needs of this particular species of parrot, should consider other species or birds or even entirely different pets, such as a cat or a dog.
There are at least two subspecies:
- Ara/Diopsittica nobilis nobils: common version with a dark gray upper beak. Native in Eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and Brazil north of the Amazon.
- Ara/Diopsittica nobilis cumanesis aka Noble Macaw: Rare, larger version, with a horn-colored upper beak. Native in Brazil south of the Amazon.
Procurement / Care:
Pricing: Between $500 - 750
If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:
- Macaw General Information
- Procuring your Parrot
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- Housing Your Bird
- Bird Nutrition
- Parrot Products
Length: 13 inches / 31 cm (A little larger than a cockatiel) 
Weight: 165 g
Genus: Scientific: Ara ... English: Macaws ... Dutch: Echte Aras ... German: Eigentliche Aras ... French: Aras Species: Scientific: Ara nobilis nobilis aka Diopsittaca nobilis nobilis / Ara hahni ... English: Red-shouldered Macaw, Hahn's Macaw ... Dutch: Roodschouderara, Nobilis Ara ... German: Hahns Zwergara, Blaustirnzwergara ... French: Ara noble
CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: Guianas, Venezuela, Brazil - North of the Amazon
Sub-Species:
Scroll up for further information ... Size: 35 cm
CITES II - Endangered Species
RelatedWebsites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
Scroll up for further information
Genus: Scientific: Ara ... English: Macaws ... Dutch: Echte Aras ... German: Eigentliche Aras ... French: Aras
CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: Brazil South of the Amazon
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
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