Scarlet Macaw
Ara macao
The scarlet macaw, a popular household pet, is resident to Central
and South America. In the wild, these birds prefer to live in
undisturbed rainforests of these tropical regions.
Scientists have categorized them into two subgroups. Those found in Central America are called Ara macao cyanoptera. Those found in Brazil and other areas are called Ara macao macao. These two subspecies are quite similar, yet there are specific differences between them, such as habit and coloration.
Macaws grow to about thirty-six inches in length from beak to tail. Their eyes are a light yellow color and their beak is light on top and black on the bottom jaw. The general coloration of this bird is a bright scarlet red covering its head; red, yellow and blue wings; and a tail of deep blue with hints of red. Its feet and legs are jet black.
The scarlet macaw's diet consists of fruits, nuts, flowers and nectar. Often, it will eat unripe fruits and nuts that other animals would avoid. A peculiar habit of the macaws is that they can be seen flocking to riverbanks in order to eat the clay surrounding them. A theory about this occurrence is that the birds use clay to digest chemicals in the foods that they eat.
A pair of scarlet macaws lay between two and three white, round eggs, and together they raise the young each season in a tree cavity nest. The young often stay with their parents for up to two years. The adult parrots refuse to rear another clutch until the young leave the nest. This is one cause of their dwindling wild population.
When young macaws are kept as single household pets, they soon become very attached to their owners and quickly learn to repeat a limited number of words. Although their vocabulary is not great, their brilliant coloring and confiding manner make them a popular species. Before considering a scarlet macaw as a pet, be aware that they can live to be 75 years old, are very loud, and can do a lot of damage with their very large beak.
The scarlet macaw at EcoTarium makes its home in the tropical section of the museum next to the iguana. Visitors enjoy seeing her bob on her perch and preen her beautiful ruby feathers.
Written by Naturalist Jessica Aditays