This is Poco at the time this photo (6 months old) was taken of her, she showed no trace of a yellow collar. She is now 4 and has a full collar.This is Poco at the time this photo (6 months old) was taken of her, she showed no trace of a yellow collar. She is now 4 and has a full collar.
The Yellow- Collared Macaw (Ara auricollis) is originally from the center of South America ( SW Brazil, E Bolivia, N. Paraguay and N.Argentina ). These are highly adaptable birds as indicated by the varied eco-systems they inhabit in this home range. These include Rainforest, swamps, dry savannah and the foothills of the Andes Mountains. They have been observed to congregate in flocks of 500+ when roosting for the night outside of the breeding season*. According to Dr. Charles Munn who is currently doing resarch in the area "I have never seen more than 4-6 at a time, though I see them perhaps 5-10 times per day ".In the wild their diet is every bit as varied as is their home range. It consists of fruits, nuts, seeds, green matter, an occasional bug and what ever the local farmer has to offer.
The Yellow- Collared, which is also known as the Yellow-Naped, Gold-Naped or Cassins Macaw can be as large as 17 inches from head to tail. This bird is typical of the group called "Mini Macaws" the primary body color being a bright green with blue flights and red and blue feathers mixed in the tail. What sets the Yellow-Collar apart is the blue-black feathers of the crown the whiteish tip of its beak and of course the yellow collar. It also possesses the bare eye and cheek patch typical of all Macaws.
Up until the early '70s this Macaw was rarely seen in aviculture. In fact outside of a pair that was housed in the London Zoo in the early 1920s little was known about these guys until fairly recently. They are now well established and are the most readily available of the Mini Macaws.
TheYellow-Collared may not be as impressive as thier larger cousins being smaller and lacking the eye catching color of say a Blue and Gold or Green Wing. Don't let that stop you from considering one as a pet though these birds have all the personality of 
the big boys in a smaller package. They are very good talkers compared to other Macaws. They love to play so lots of sturdy toys are a must. This Macaw has been discribed as being inquisitive and something of a little devil. They have been known to develop the skills of an escape artist so make sure the latches on their cages are sturdy. They can also be agressive towards other birds. So if you have other birds in your home it's best to introduce your Yellow-Collar to them slowly (this is of course after you have kept it isolated for at least 30 days) and see how they react to each other.
The dietary requirements are simple. Give them a varied diet that includes vegetables, seasonal fruits, beans etc. These parrots are adventurous eaters, so let them sample things just about everything is fair game except chocolate and avacados.
Caging requirements are as follows: Wide enough to spread its wings without touching the sides and deep enough so that its tail remains well away from any bars while roosting (to prevent fraying). Good latches to keep it inside the cage until you let it out and plenty of toys.
If you are interested in bringing a Macaw into your home take a long look at the Yellow-Collar. They cost less (in the$700-$1,000 range) are not as loud, require smaller cages and less maintenance than the larger members of its family. Plus they breed quite readily if your interests take you there.
* from The World Of Macaws; by Dieter Hoppe
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