Macaw's beak is white ?

[Boysmom]

So my son had a print ad photo shoot out of town. for fun we visited a restaurant that had several parrots on display ( all rescues ). Such fun, they really enjoyed talking to us. The red macaw was over 50 years old and became a plucker when its previous owner passed away. Her beak was solid white, is this normal for her age ? She was such a sweet girl, and she really talked to my son alot. She didnt talk to any other visitor there except him. We have visited these birds several times in the past, and I almost believe they remembered us. As we are Ekkie owners, I dont know much about macaws, and thought someone could educate me.

 

[MaraWentz]

I'm not sure ut I know that Greenwings and Scarlets can have a very light tan beak

 

[Alisana]

It's also possible due to (natural) genetic mutation (like how some people have different coloured patches in their hair) or a hybrid

 

[Molcan2]

If this 'red macaw' is a Green wing or a scarlet then its completely normal for their beaks to be white. Usually the upper is white and the lower is dark.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

My GCC had a white toe nail. May be the same type of thing. You can see it on the right toe (if you can get past the messy beak)!

 

[Alisana]

My GCC had a white toe nail. May be the same type of thing. You can see it on the right toe (if you can get past the messy beak)!

hehe - cute

And Boysmom - is the beak completely white, or just the top part?

As Molcan2 suggested, see below:

 

[MacawGuy]

that looks fine

 

[Alisana]

There are some genes in macaws that can give you odd colours

Below is the only example I can think of in a macaw that has a completely white/horn coloured beak

Lutino Blue and Gold

The original post made about it is here: http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/20105-macaw-colour-mutations-lutino.html It's from the Parrot Society magazine

 

[MacawGuy]

yea thats a lutino blue and gold macaw very very rare

 

[Boysmom]

Alisana it looked like the first photo you posted. Thanks everyone, my son was worried she was sick. She was such a sweet girl, and her plucking made my son so sad, but when she livened up and started playing with him he felt better about her health.
Thanks for the help, we just arent educated on Macaws, but knew someone her could explain.

 

[Alisana]

Alisana it looked like the first photo you posted. Thanks everyone, my son was worried she was sick. She was such a sweet girl, and her plucking made my son so sad, but when she livened up and started playing with him he felt better about her health.
Thanks for the help, we just arent educated on Macaws, but knew someone her could explain.

Ahh - the top image is a Greenwing while the second is a Scarlet.

Sometimes the feather loss can be the result of an illness (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease comes to mind) otherwise plucking (whether self plucking or flock plucking). Sadly plucking happens for a number of reasons - but a big one is stress, and the birds can become addicted to the habit, even after living in a stress-free environment.

It's nice to see that she took to your son though - macaws adore playing and can be very energetic bugs