02/08/2026
Meet Jacko, our blue and gold macaw here at Chew Valley Animal Park!
Jacko is 27 years old and one of the largest macaw species out there. Here's a few facts about him and his species:
🦜 The blue in his feathers is not pigment, it is a refraction of light
🦜 He has a bite force of around 600 psi, this is comparable to a small lion or large dog
🦜 He can produce sounds of up to 100db, this is as loud as a power drill
🦜 He's not great at mimicking speech, but will occasionally say "hello" when excited
🦜 He possesses a bone in his tongue, this gives him extra manoeuvrability when eating nuts
🦜 He uses his long tail feathers for flight, but also for clinging onto cliff faces
🦜 In the wild, macaws eat clay from cliff faces, this gives them a source of salt and minerals
🦜 Macaws are one of the closest bird relatives to falcons
🦜 They have the intelligence of around a five year old, this means they can solve puzzles and use tools
🦜 They have a wild lifespan of around 35 years, but can live to 80 with excellent care
🦜 They are heavily impacted by the pet trade and habitat loss from the destruction of tree hollows
Here at Chew Valley, Jacko is trained to voluntarily stand on scales for a weight check, and we are now working towards voluntary nail trims too, all part of positive, cooperative care🥰
Come and meet Jacko for yourself and plan your visit through the link in our bio🦜
