Scarlet macaw

Ara macao · The scarlet macaw is a large, colorful parrot that lives in the humid evergreen forests of Central and South America.

Also called Red-and-blue macaw, Red-and-yellow macaw, Red-breasted macaw.

Scarlet macaw
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Scarlet macaw
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Scarlet macaw
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPsittaciformes
FamilyPsittacidae
GenusAra
SpeciesAra macao

Where it lives

Humid forests from southern Mexico to the Amazon basin.

Fun facts

  • More than half of a scarlet macaw's roughly 84 cm length is its long, pointed tail.
  • Scarlet macaws can live up to 75 or even 90 years in captivity, though 40 to 50 years is more typical.
  • Scarlet macaws mate for life, staying with one partner throughout their lives.
  • Their screams are made to carry many kilometers so they can call to their groups.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).