Military macaws are the smallest of the large macaws, acquiring a total length of about 29 inches. Their wing span is 39 to 43 inches. They inhabit an area from Mexico southward, especially Colombia, northwestern Venezuela, northern Peru, and eastern Ecuador. They can live in pairs, in families, or in flocks as large as forty. They prefer to roost in the highest outer branches of trees, and are easily identified even out of sight by their loud screeching and croaking. Military Macaws do not have to hunt for their food, they eat fruit and nuts that are available in the area. The name "military" may have been given to the birds when they were first imported into Europe by military personnel.  The unfeathered facial skin blushes when the macaw is excited. This is no shy, sedentary macaw. Swinging audaciously from one toenail is a favorite pastime of these birds. It is said that...the Military Macaws are an extremely loud group of birds, and their noise gives them away long before you see them. We certainly find this to be true of Sarge!

Even though Sarge is just learning English, he has amassed a pretty large vocabulary already! If he hears ANYONE coming through the door or down the stairs, he will shout to you a hearty "hello", "hi", or "what's up", at the top of his lungs, you know, just in case you are hard of hearing. If the other birds are talking, according to Sarge other birds should be seen and not heard, so he will tell them to "shut up"! If he disagrees with you he may shout to you a playful "your momma", or "commie". (You have to remember, he is a military bird, after all!) Something else that he has gotten really good at saying is my name. If he wants something or hears my voice, he will yell my name at the top of his lungs. Well, he knows Mommy is the food lady after all! Of course he is a very pretty bird, and not conceited at all, that's why he will tell you that he is a pretty bird, pretty often!

Weddo, Sarge's older and hairier brother (who you can find in the "gone" section of this site), has discovered that Sarge doesn't share very well. Weddo believes his food and water belong to him, where Sarge doesn't agree. If he is out of his cage, hanging out at Weddo's dishes having a late night snack, is where you will find Sarge. Hey, he figures if it's available, then it's perfect macaw food!