Orthopsittaca manilatus
The Red-bellied Macaw (Orthopsittaca manilatus) is a striking, medium-sized parrot, often considered the smallest of the "true" macaws. Measuring approximately 46-51 cm (18-20 inches) in length and weighing 300-370 grams (10.6-13 oz), it is predominantly green with a distinctive maroon-red patch on its lower abdomen and flanks, which can sometimes appear more orange. Its most notable field marks include a bare, bright yellow facial patch that extends from the base of the bill to behind the ey...
This species primarily inhabits lowland, often seasonally flooded, tropical rainforests and savanna wetlands, with a strong association with palm groves, particularly those dominated by the Mauritia flexuosa palm. It is typically found at elevations below 500 meters.
The Red-bellied Macaw's diet is highly specialized, consisting almost exclusively of the fruits, seeds, and nuts of specific palm species, primarily the Mauritia flexuosa (Moriche or Aguaje palm). They forage by climbing and manipulating palm fruits with their feet and powerful bills.
Red-bellied Macaws are highly gregarious and diurnal birds, spending their days foraging in large flocks that can number in the hundreds, especially at prime food sources or communal roosting sites. They often gather in large groups before sunset, making a spectacular, noisy return to tall dead t...
The Red-bellied Macaw has an extensive but somewhat disjunct distribution across lowland South America, primarily within the Amazon Basin. Its breeding range encompasses eastern Colombia, southern and eastern Venezuela, the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana), and a vast portion of northern...
Least Concern
- The Red-bellied Macaw is considered the smallest species among the "true" macaws, a group typically known for their larger size. - It belongs to its own monotypic genus, Orthopsittaca, highlighting its unique evolutionary path among macaws. - This macaw has an almost obligate relationship with ...