Ara macao
The Scarlet Macaw (*Ara macao*) is arguably one of the most stunning and recognizable parrots in the world, famed for its vibrant plumage and impressive size. Adult birds typically measure 80-90 cm (31.5-35.5 inches) from head to tail and boast a wingspan of up to 104 cm (41 inches), weighing between 900-1500 grams (2-3.3 lbs). Their body is predominantly brilliant scarlet red, with a band of bright yellow on the mid-wing, followed by electric blue on the flight feathers and rump, creating a ...
Scarlet Macaws primarily inhabit humid, lowland tropical rainforests and deciduous forests, typically found at elevations from sea level up to 1,000 meters.
Scarlet Macaws are primarily frugivores and granivores, consuming a wide variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, flowers, and nectar; they also ingest clay from riverbanks to aid digestion.
Scarlet Macaws are highly diurnal and gregarious, often congregating in large, noisy flocks of up to several dozen individuals, especially when flying to and from communal roosting sites in tall trees at dawn and dusk. Their foraging strategy involves agile climbing and dexterous use of their pow...
The Scarlet Macaw boasts a wide, yet increasingly fragmented, distribution across the Neotropics, extending from southeastern Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas) south through Central America and into northern South America. Its breeding range covers countries such as Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, ...
Least Concern
- A Scarlet Macaw's powerful beak can exert over 500 pounds per square inch of pressure, strong enough to crack the hardest nuts and even break through thick wire. - They can live for 50-60 years in the wild and even up to 75-80 years in captivity, making them one of the longest-lived bird specie...