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PsittacidaePsittaciformes

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

About

The Scarlet Macaw is a breathtaking kaleidoscope of color — brilliant scarlet body, wings banded in vivid yellow and deep blue, and a long graduated tail. One of the largest parrots, it can reach 89 cm in length. These intelligent, social birds form monogamous pair bonds that may last a lifetime of 40–50 years in the wild.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan

99–110 cm

Length

81–89 cm

Weight

900–1,100 g

Ecology

Habitat

Tropical humid forests, forest edges, savannas with scattered trees

Diet

Nuts, seeds, fruits, clay (geophagy)

Distribution

Central and South America — Mexico to Amazonian Brazil and Peru