Common Name: Green-winged Macaw
Scientific Name: Ara chloroptera
LEAST CONCERN Green-winged Macaw Distribution: South America Habitat: Tropical Forest & Swamp Height: 90 - 95cm Weight: 1050 - 1708g Diet: Herbivorous
They are often confused with the Scarlet Macaw. The Greenwinged Macaw is mostly red, but its wings are blue and green. Its tail is blue. These macaws have a white face which is striped with small red feathers. They are one of the largest macaws. They inhabit tropical forests and swamps in Central and South America, including Columbia, Panama, Venezuela, Guyana and Trinidad. Green-winged Macaws eat a variety of plants, nuts, fruit, seeds, berries and vegetable matter. They forage in the tree tops. They can eat foods which are poisonous as they will then visit rivers and eat clay, which neutralizes the toxins. These Macaws are often seen in pairs or family groups and occasionally gather in small flocks of six to twelve birds. Large groups are found in feeding trees or on clay banks, where they may flock with other species of Macaws. They are quite shy birds and are difficult to see in the trees. Usually heard and not seen within the forest, Green-winged Macaws will fly off making loud screeches when alarmed. They breed from November to March, making their nests in holes in trees or river cliffs. They lay two or three eggs. These birds are threatened because of the illegal pet trade.