Blue-and-yellow Macaw as a pet
Ara ararauna
In short
This species may suit you if you can live with noise level ‘very loud’, have room for an enclosure in class ‘large’ and can care for the bird for even longer than 40 years [S7, S19, S21]. Biggest trade-off: according to the sources, not a species for beginners [S7]. The perfect parrot doesn’t exist: a species profile is no guarantee about your bird.
This information was compiled with AI from public sources and may contain errors. Always check legal rules with the competent authority. Not buying, veterinary or legal advice.
Talking
Both mimics and non-mimics in an owner survey. [S12]
Noise
Can scream very loudly; Flanders advises against a poorly soundproofed home [S7]; ‘amongst the most raucous’ (commercial) [S19].
Lifespan
Macaws can live up to 80 years (group). [S7]
Space
Flanders: small macaw species at least 300 × 200 × 150 cm per pair, large macaws 400 × 300 × 200 cm, with a heated indoor shelter [S7]; Swiss law (for comparison; does not apply in Belgium) 10 m² / 30 m³ per pair [S21].
Suitable for beginners?
Flanders: only for experienced keepers; lots of fine dust [S7].
Costs
From €300 per year per bird. Vlaanderen — Huisdierwijzer Ara's: €25–50 per month × 12 [S7]. Price level unknown; not a full budget or quote.
Paperwork and rules in Belgium
EU Annex B (CITES II). Ask the seller for proof of legal origin (invoice, transfer declaration; EU model recommended) and keep it [S40]. According to the FPS, anyone who buys, sells or breeds these birds keeps a register of arrivals and departures and keeps it for at least 5 years [S39]. Status as of 24 September 2026; check the current rules for your bird with the Belgian FPS Public Health [S39].
Adoption and availability
Blue-and-yellow macaw at Nally's [S70].
What you have to accept
- According to the sources, not a species for beginners [S7].
- Noise class ‘very loud’: only choose this species if your home situation can handle it [S7, S19].
- Lifespan: according to the sources this species can live longer than 40 years; plan who will care for it if your life changes [S7].
- Space class ‘large’: the guideline sizes call for a spacious aviary [S7, S21].
Compare with
Orange-winged Amazon: quieter according to the sources (‘loud’ versus ‘very loud’) [S6, S7, S19].
Orange-winged Amazon · Compare with Orange-winged AmazonSulphur-crested Cockatoo: a similar profile on the known criteria.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo · Compare with Sulphur-crested CockatooGrey Parrot: quieter according to the sources (‘loud’ versus ‘very loud’); but more paperwork (EU Annex A) [S5, S7, S19, S39, S40].
Grey Parrot · Compare with Grey Parrot
Source basis
Species level for speech; macaw group for care
Guideline sizes, costs and adoption listings come from Flemish sources; different rules may apply in Brussels and Wallonia. Foreign housing rules are not Belgian rules.
Sources
- S5 · LICG — Grijze roodstaartpapegaai · read 2026-09-06
- S6 · LICG — Amazonepapegaai · read 2026-09-06
- S7 · Vlaanderen — Huisdierwijzer Ara's · read 2026-09-06; opnieuw 2026-09-19 (CITES, kosten, maten)
- S12 · Benedict e.a. (2022) — vocal mimicry survey · read 2026-09-06
- S19 · Parrot Essentials — Blue and Gold Macaw care guide · read 2026-09-07
- S21 · BLV — Papageien im Tierschutzrecht · read 2026-09-11
- S39 · FOD Volksgezondheid — CITES-regels: Papegaaien · read 2026-09-24
- S40 · FOD Volksgezondheid — Beschermde soorten bezitten · read 2026-09-19
- S70 · adopteereendier.be (Vlaamse overheid) — asielpagina Nally's Papegaaien Opvang · read 2026-09-19
Sources checked as of: