Bird. One of 17 species of macaws, the scarlet macaw is one of the most beautiful members of the parrot family and one of the largest Neotropical parrots. Scarlet macaws prefer life in the rainforest. With wide strong wings and hollow bones that aid flight, they can reach speeds of 56 kilometers (35 miles) per hour. The scarlet macaw has a strong, curved beak to crack hard nuts and seeds, and a tongue that can hold onto the kernel to pull it from the shell. They eat clay from riverbanks, though no one is sure why. Males and females both look the same. While some learn to speak, most macaws have limited ability to mimic.
Scientific Name Ara macao
Lifespan 50 years
Omnivore. Fruits, seeds, and nuts; insects and larvae during the breeding season. They also eat clay.
Predators and Threats
Harpy eagles, snakes, jaguars, monkeys, toucans, and humans.
The canopy of humid, lowland rainforests near rivers; southern Mexico, through Central America to southern Brazil.