Ara Macaw – Guacamayo Escarlata
- 29 May, 2018
- Baawaja Expeditions
- guacamayo
General characteristics
- Genre: Ara
- Species: Macao
- Alternative Names: Due to its wide geographical distribution, it has many names: Macaw Macao, Colorado, Flag, Red, Flag, Royal and Pink, Red Parrot, Flag, Red, Pink, Red, Red Yellow Wing, Tricolor and Seven Colors, Red or Red Lapa, Plow and Flag.
- Subspecies of the Scarlet Macaw: Ara Macao Cyanoptera
- Average length: 85 cm cm
- Adult weight: 1060 – 1123 g
- Food: Fruits, seeds, nuts, plants, nectar and clay
- Longevity in freedom: 30 – 50 years
- Number of offspring: 2 to 4 holes
- Natural habitat: Variety of habitats but mainly in humid tropical forests, often near water. Generally, up to 500 m and in specific areas, 1,000 m.
- Geographic distribution: From central Nicaragua to the Peruvian Amazon and Brazil (subspecies also in northern Central America).
Curiosities of the Scarlet Macaw
- In the Amazon jungle, they congregate on the banks of the river, in the clay licks to eat.
- In the Tambopata National Reserve in southeastern Peru there are several colpas including the largest known in the world.
- The macaws are the largest parrots on the planet.
- Scarlet Macaws can fly up to 56 km / hour.
- They can live up to 50 years in freedom.
- Their calls (“rrraaah”) can sometimes be heard in kilometers.
- It is the national bird of Honduras.
- Like many parrots, the dark gray color of their eyes turns yellow when they are young adults and are usually left-handed.
IUCN conservation assessment
- Estimated world population: Less than 50,000
- Conservation status: Minor concern
- Population trend: In decline
Sources
- World Parrot Trust
- Iñigo-Elias, Eduardo E. 2010. Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; en Neotropical Birds Online
- BirdLife International 2012. Ara macao. En: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Versión 2012.2. Descargado el 22 Abril2013.
- The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators