Scarlet macaw belongs to the group of Neotropical parrots. It is one of the most beautiful members of the parrot family. It has white face and brightly-colored, yellow, red, green and blue body. These large parrots can reach 32 inches in length and 2.2 pounds of weight.
They prefer life in the rainforest. Scarlet Macaws are curious, strong willed and highly trainable. It is one of the most intelligent bird species in the world and able to mimic words and sounds and learn tricks in captivity.
Quick Facts: –
- The Scarlet Macaw can out live humans as they are known to live up to 80 years in captivity and 40-50 years in the wild.
- The scientific name of this beautiful bird is Ara Macao.
- This species is native to the humid evergreen forests in Central and South America, including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Amazonian Peru.
- They have extremely powerful beaks with which they can easily crush nuts and seeds to eat. It also uses its beak as a climbing aid.
- They also have flexible feet that are used for manipulation of food, branches and other items used as tools.
- The main predators of these birds include Harpy eagles, snakes, jaguars, monkeys, toucans, and humans.
- They eat clay from riverbanks. Scientists are not sure what the reason behind this is.
- Their mating season starts in October and ends in April. They generally mate for life and nest high up in the cavities of deciduous trees.
- A female Scarlet Macaw lays 1 to 4 eggs and both male and females care for the young.
