The most widespread and familiar of the 17 macaw species, the scarlet macaw is not only a brilliantly colored bird, but a very intelligent and social one as well, with the honor of being the national bird of Honduras.

Common Name: Scarlet Macaw, Red-and-Yellow Macaw, Red-Breasted Macaw, Red-Blue-and-Yellow Macaw

Scientific Name: Ara macao

Scientific Family: Psittacidae

Appearance:

• Bill: Large and thick, sharply hooked upper mandible, light gray or whitish on most of the upper mandible and black below

• Size: 33-36 inches long with 44-47-inch wingspan, very long tail, large head, broad wings
• Colors: Red, white, yellow, green, blue, black
• Markings: Males and females are similar though males have a slightly longer tail and slightly larger bill. The face is plain white with a mix of bare skin and very short white feathers that are not usually distinguishable from a distance. The plumage is bright red overall, with an orange wash on the auriculars. The wings have a wide yellow patch with green edges on the feathers, and the primary feathers are bright blue. The undertail coverts are a paler blue, and the rump is a brighter blue shade. The very long tail may show blue feathers on the outer edges. The legs and feet are black, and the eyes are pale yellow with a dark iris.
  
  Juveniles look similar to adults but have completely dark eyes.

Foods: Seeds, nuts, fruit, nectar, flowers, leaves, sap, bark (See: Herbivorous)

Habitat and Migration:

These macaws prefer humid, tropical forests, including both deciduous and evergreen woodlands.

Their range extends from the southeastern tip of Mexico through Central America and into the tropical interior of South America as far south as eastern Peru and northern Bolivia, but within that range their populations are fragmented based on the availability of suitable forests. Though these birds do not migrate, they can be nomadic in search of the best food sources, particularly fruit, and they often explore large territories.

Vocalizations:

These are raucous, noisy birds with a harsh screeching call and a variety of loud, croaking squawks in their repertoire. Calls may become sharper, higher pitched or more strident at the end. In captivity, scarlet macaws can learn to mimic some speech tones.

Behavior:

These birds are generally found in mated pairs or small family groups, though larger flocks of 30-50 or more birds may gather to roost or feed. They are powerful fliers and can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour in the air. They often gather at clay licks where moist clay is easily accessed, and it is believed that the birds consume quantities of clay both as a source of sodium and to help neutralize toxins ingested from different immature fruits they eat. Scarlet macaws are highly intelligent and have been seen exhibiting curiosity and play.

Reproduction:

These are monogamous birds that mate for life. Courtship often includes mutual preening that will continue as a pair strengthens their bond periodically. The eggs are plain white with a relatively round shape, and they are laid in a natural tree cavity up to 200 feet or higher in the forest canopy. There may be 1-4 eggs in each brood, and the female incubates the eggs for 24-28 days. The chicks are altricial when they hatch and stay in the nest for 85-95 days, and will remain under parental care for up to a year or more. Because of the long parental care period, scarlet macaws may only breed every other year, and juvenile birds do not reach sexual maturity for 4-5 years.

Attracting Scarlet Macaws:

Within their tropical range, these parrots can be attracted to large, mature fruit trees so long as insecticides and other chemicals are not used. These birds are also popular residents in captivity and they make popular pets, but are not suitable for novice bird owners because of their longevity. A wild scarlet macaw can live 40-50 years, and records of captive and pet birds go as high as 75-80 years.

Conservation:

Though scarlet macaws are not considered threatened or endangered on a global scale because of their wide range, they are often given stricter designations in local areas where habitat fragmentation and the loss of suitable nesting trees have drastically reduced their populations. Poaching is another grave threat to the species, and they are often illegally captured or killed for their meat and feathers or to be sold into the pet trade.

Adding nest boxes in the right habitat can encourage better breeding success, and stronger enforcement of pet trade restrictions as well as habitat preservation is necessary to help protect these birds. Many areas are also emphasizing the importance of avitourism as a key to local economies and bird preservation.

Similar Birds:

• Red-and-Green Macaw (Ara chloropterus)
• Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans)

Photo – Scarlet Macaw © Stefan Krasowski
Photo – Scarlet Macaw in Flight © Caylan Ford