Macaw Species and Hybrids

To my knowledge, there does not currently (June 17, 2019) exist a singular model in which the most common (existing) species of macaw and their hybrid lines are depicted. Plenty of websites list lineage with pictures/description (i.e., Calico = military x greenwing), but none use charts nor diagrams. My figures are the first of their kind to combine visual, descriptive, linkage, and relative body size across the species and hybrids. The first figure is especially fascinating in that it demonstrates how dependent hobbyists are on some of the more prominent species. The Blue & Gold is still claimed to be the most frequently used "base" in hybridization because of its commonality, but looking at this figure, the scarlet now tops the chart with 9 unique hybrid contributions.

Of course, I had to include the mighty Mini macaws and even the Spix's, since it's technically still around, albeit at the verge of extinction. I'm also surprised to see Buffon's and Hyacinths crossed as often as they are considering their rarity. In the future I would like to elaborate upon this diagram to include phenotypical differences based on parentage. For example, Harlequins can be more orange-colored when fathers are GW and mothers are B&G. 

More aesthetically appealing and intuitive is the F1 Hybrid Chart. I'm not a fan of the goofy names people have given some of the hybrids ("Buffwing" is probably my least favorite), and honestly I'm not a fan of hybridizing in general if it's not for preservation purposes. But, the outcomes are interesting to me, especially when it comes to the behavioral traits the progeny supposedly "inherit." 

At the moment, the Hyacinth x Greenwing cross does not have an official name, and I could only find evidence of one in existence (poor Hector). The single video I could find features him in a small, toy-less cage in a pet shop somewhere. I hope someone has given him a better life since that video's posting. 

​Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Please note that I do NOT take credit for any of the photos used in these figures. These images were gleaned from Google, Facebook, and other websites.