The Severe Macaw (Ara severus), also known as the Chestnut-fronted Macaw, for sale here is a bold, intelligent, and surprisingly compact companion — one of the largest of the “mini macaw” group, with all the personality of its bigger relatives. Browse our full Macaw collection, including our greener, more focused relative built for serious training and the classic blue-and-yellow companion parrot.
Appearance & Size
The Severe Macaw is easily recognized by its emerald-green body, chestnut-brown forehead patch, and bright red-and-blue accents on the wings. Adults typically reach 18–20 inches in length and weigh around 400 grams, making the Severe Macaw far more manageable in size than large macaws – a genuine macaw personality in a smaller footprint.
Natural Habitat
Severe Macaws are native to Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, and the wider Amazon basin, where they inhabit dense forests and areas prone to seasonal river flooding, often nesting high in tree cavities. Their adaptability to varied forest habitats is part of what makes them such resilient, alert birds in captivity.
Temperament & Talking Ability
Don’t let the size fool you — the Severe Macaw has a genuinely large personality. They’re intelligent, confident, and highly interactive, bonding quickly with their owners and responding well to consistent training. Severe Macaws are also excellent talkers, often developing a large vocabulary with impressively clear speech for a mid-sized parrot. They are moderately to highly vocal, so daily engagement and enrichment are essential to keep them mentally satisfied.
Care Requirements
A Severe Macaw needs a spacious cage – at minimum 4x4x8 feet – along with sturdy chewable toys and, ideally, access to an outdoor aviary for enrichment. Their diet should include high-quality pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, with nuts and seeds offered as occasional treats rather than a dietary staple. Daily social interaction is non-negotiable; without it, Severe Macaws can become one-person birds or develop boredom-driven behaviors.
Severe Macaw Price
Prices for a Severe Macaw typically range from $900 to $3,500, depending on age, DNA sexing, and socialization level. As with any macaw, be cautious of prices well below market average, which can signal missing health documentation or poor early socialization.
Lifespan
With proper care, a Severe Macaw can live 30 to 40 years, a shorter commitment than the largest macaw species but still a serious, multi-decade responsibility for prospective owners.
Severe Macaw vs. Other Macaw Species
Severe Macaw vs. the pint-sized macaw often mistaken for it: The two are commonly confused, but this smaller relative is roughly a third to half the size of a Severe Macaw, with less white facial skin and a more compact build overall.
Severe Macaw vs. the large, bold-personality macaw favored by experienced trainers: This larger relative is considerably bigger and louder, while the Severe Macaw offers a similarly bold, trainable personality in a size better suited to smaller homes.
Severe Macaw vs. one of the biggest macaw species by size: That giant cousin is among the largest macaw species, while the Severe Macaw delivers comparable intelligence and vocal ability at a fraction of the size and space requirement.
