Copan, HondurasA partnered pair of wild scarlet macaws rub against each other in Costa Rica
Thescarlet macaw (Ara macao) also called thered-and-yellow macaw,red-and-blue macaw orred-breasted macaw, is a large yellow, red and blueNeotropicalparrot native to humid evergreen forests of theAmericas. Its range extends from southeasternMexico toPeru,Ecuador,Colombia,Bolivia,Venezuela,Honduras, andBrazil in lowlands of 500 m (1,600 ft) (at least formerly) up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft), theCaribbean island ofTrinidad, as well as thePacific island ofCoiba.[1] Formerly, the northern extent of its range included southernTamaulipas. In some areas, it has sufferedlocal extinction because ofhabitat destruction, or capture for theparrot trade, but in other areas, it remains fairly common. It is thenational bird ofHonduras. Like its relative theblue-and-yellow macaw, the scarlet macaw is a popular bird inaviculture as a result of its striking plumage. It is the third most common macaw species in captivity after the blue-and-yellow andred-and-green macaw respectively. In recent years it has become much rarer in captivity and much more expensive due to stricter laws, its price being higher than even red-and-green macaws.
The twosubspecies can be recognized by size and color detail in the feathers on the wings:[4]
Ara macao macao (Linnaeus, 1758): South American scarlet macaw, thenominate subspecies. In the wings the medium and secondary coverts have green tips.
A. m. cyanopterus Wiedenfeld, 1995: North Central American scarlet macaw. The Central American scarlet macaw is larger and has blue on its wings instead of green.
In May 2013, it was announced that a team of scientists, led by Dr. Christopher M. Seabury and Dr. Ian Tizard ofTexas A&M University hadsequenced the completegenome of the scarlet macaw.[5][6] Based on this genome, species-specificmicrosatellite genetic markers were developed to aid genetic studies throughout the range of the species.[7] These genetic markers were later validated[8] on the trace amount of DNA acquired from feathers, and applied to studyred-and-green macaws in a tropical landscape where DNA can degrade very quickly.[9] These markers were proven to be useful to study theirpopulation genetics[8] and identification of individuals in the landscape of the Peruvian Amazon.[10]
It is about 84 centimeters (33 in) long, of which more than half is the pointed, graduated tail typical of allmacaws, though the scarlet macaw has a larger percentage of tail than the other large macaws. The average weight is about 1 kilogram (2 lb 3 oz). Theplumage is mostlyscarlet, but the rump and tail-covertfeathers are light blue, the greater upper wingcoverts are yellow, the upper sides of the flight feathers of the wings are dark blue as are the ends of the tail feathers, and the undersides of the wing and tailflight feathers are dark red with metallic gold iridescence. Some individuals may have green in the wings. The Central American subspecies is larger and averages 89 cm or (35 in) in length.[citation needed]
There is bare white skin around the eye and from there to thebill. Tiny white feathers are contained on the face patch. The upper mandible is mostly pale horn in color and the lower is black. Juveniles have dark eyes; adults have light yellow eyes.
It is frequently confused with the slightly largergreen-winged macaw, which has more distinct red lines in the face and no yellow in the wing.
Scarlet macaws make very loud, high and sometimes low-pitched, throaty squawks, squeaks and screams designed to carry many kilometers to call for their groups.
The scarlet macaw can live up to 75[11] or even 90[12] years in captivity, although a more typical lifespan is 40 to 50 years.[12][11]
Pair of scarlet macaws
A. m. macao (all three images) Saladero de Añangu, Ecuador
A typical sighting is of a single bird or a pair flying above the forest canopy, though in some areas flocks can be seen. Field observations in Costa Rica found that scarlet macaws spend nearly all their time high in the forest canopy, usually more than 10 m above the ground, and are rarely seen near or on the ground, likely to reduce predation risk and because most of their food sources occur in the canopy.[13] They often gather atclay licks.[14][15] Scarlet macaws communicate primarily through raucous honks; however, vocal communication is highly variable, and captive macaws are known to be adept mimics of human speech.
Wild scarlet macaws feed on fruits, nuts, seeds, flowers and nectar.[16]
As with smaller parrot species, there are reports of their consumption of insects, larvae, and snails; however, this seems to be rare for macaws and is not a major component of their diet.[17][18] Seeds ofCnidoscolus andSchizolobium are thought to be the main sources of protein for nestling scarlet macaws.[17]
In Costa Rica's Central Pacific they have learned to feed on introduced Teak trees (Tectona grandis) andAlmond Beach Trees. Local non-profit organizations have planted hundreds of those trees along the coastline from theTárcoles River basin to Esterillos Beach which had helped increase the population drastically. The combined efforts and the correct ecotourism also have an important role in the conservation of such majestic birds. Tour companies along the Tarcoles River and its mangroves have bet on the importance of birdwatching as an asset for the growth on its population.
While comparatively docile at most times of the year, scarlet macaws may be formidably aggressive during periods of breeding. Scarlet macaws are monogamous birds, with individuals remaining with one partner throughout their lives. The hen lays two or three whiteeggs in a large tree cavity.[19] The femaleincubates the eggs for about five weeks, and the chicksfledge from thenest about 90 days after hatching[20] and leave their parents about a year later. Juveniles reach sexual maturity at five years of age.
The scarlet macaw inhabits primarily humid, lowlandsubtropicalrain forests, openwoodlands, river edges, andsavannas. In some regions, they are known to periodically visit naturalmineral deposits (or 'licks'), typically in areas rich inclay andsediment, which the macaws will eat for digestive purposes and to glean vital nutrients, includingsodium andcalcium.[21] The species' South Americanrange is extensive, spanning much of theAmazon basin andrainforest of the northern half of the continent, extending as far south asPeru (east of theAndes) andBolivia.[1] In Bolivia, it is quite common in theAquicuana Reserve, in the northeasternBeni Department (near the city ofRiberalta, the capital of the Bolivian Amazon region).
InFlorida, United States, scarlet macaws have escaped captivity at various times throughout history, either inadvertently due tohurricanes or other inclement weather events, or being deliberately released by humans; however, there is no evidence to suggest that this population is established and breeding, and may only persist due to continuing releases or escapes. These non-native birds are likely sustained off of deliberate feeding by residents who enjoy seeing them in their yards.[22][23] The species also occurs as an introduced species in Puerto Rico.
A small introduced population exists inKirkby Stephen,Cumbria,[24] having been introduced to the area around 2010. This population, which includes a number of relatedblue-and-yellow macaws, was introduced to the village around 2010; they are trained to fly freely around the area, returning to a conservation centre for food and shelter in the evenings.[25]
Thehabitat of scarlet macaws is also considered to have the greatest latitudinal range for any bird in thegenusAra, as the estimated maximum territorial range covers 6,700,000 km2. Nevertheless, the scarlet macaw's habitat is fragmented, and the bird is mostly confined to tiny populations scattered throughout its original range in Middle America.[26] However, as they still occur in large numbers over most of their original range in South America, the species is classified by IUCN as least concern. Its wild population is currently estimated to be between 50,000 and 499,999 individuals.[1]
Commercial international trade in the species (including parts and derivatives) is prohibited by the bird's listing underCITES Appendix 1 due to poaching for the pet trade.[27]
The northern subspecies,A. m. cyanopterus, is listed asendangered by theUSFWS.[28] The USFWS estimates that only 2,000–3,000 birds of the northern subspecies remain in the wild.[29]
The scarlet macaw is an early example of a parrot breeding in captivity. Captive breeding occurred in Northern Mexico at Paquime (also calledCasas Grandes) and very likely Southwest New MexicoMimbres Valley in the 11th century. Breeding pens, perches, bones, and eggshell fragments have been uncovered. The straightforward nature of scarlet macaw breeding and the value of their plumes in trade created a market for trade wherein the animals were used in religious rites north to the Colorado Plateau region.[30]
Today the scarlet macaw is found worldwide in captivity, but is best represented in captivity in the Americas. Captive techniques developed from the pet trade have positively affected wild populations: in areas with low macaws populations, the "extra" babies that typically die in the nest may be reared by human hands and released into the wild to bolster the population, as has been done by theTambopata Macaw Project. Their captive diet, egg incubation, assisted hatching, hand rearing, co-parenting, parent-rearing, fledgling, maturation, and breeding are well understood within the avicultural community (AFA Watchbird magazine).
Young may be taken in the nest by arboreal predators such assnakes,monkeys and other small carnivores. Adults and fledglings may also be taken by large cats, such asjaguars, and byeagles andhawks.[31]
^abGill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2017)."Parrots & cockatoos".World Bird List Version 7.3. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved22 November 2017.
^abRobert Arking:Biology of Aging: Observations and Principles. Oxford University Press, 2006,ISBN9780199727629, p.129
^Lemos de Figueiredo, R., & Chappell, J. (2024). Behavioral observations of free-living scarlet macaws (Ara macao) in Costa Rica, to inform ex situ management. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, 5(4), 668–690.https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5040044
^Burger, Joanna; Gochfeld, Michael (2003). "Parrot behavior at a Rio Manu (Peru) clay lick: temporal patterns, associations, and antipredator responses".Acta Ethologica.6 (1):23–34.doi:10.1007/s10211-003-0080-y.S2CID24056335.
^Volpe, Noelia L; Thalinger, Bettina; Vilacoba, Elisabet; Braukmann, Thomas W A; Di Giacomo, Adrián S; Berkunsky, Igor; Lijtmaer, Darío A; Steinke, Dirk; Kopuchian, Cecilia (2022-01-19)."Diet composition of reintroduced Red-and-Green Macaws reflects gradual adaptation to life in the wild".Ornithological Applications.124 (1) duab059.doi:10.1093/ornithapp/duab059.ISSN0010-5422. Retrieved2025-02-12.: "Although the consumption of insects has been reported for a number of smaller parrot species (Collar 1997), their use by macaws is rare and never forms a major component of their diet (Renton 2006). We did not observe any event of direct insect consumption [by red-and-green macaws] nor did we detect insect remains in the processed fecal samples."
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