Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

A magnificent red parrot with striking blue-and-yellow wings that flies through the rainforest canopy like a rainbow, this bold character can often be heard long before it's seen.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Scarlet Macaw is a striking large parrot with vibrant plumage. Its body is primarily bright red, with yellow and blue wing feathers. The upper wings display a band of yellow, followed by blue flight feathers. The tail feathers are blue, and the upper tail coverts are light blue.

Both males and females share the same colouration. Juveniles have similar plumage to adults but with a shorter tail and darker iris. The bird's large, hooked beak is light on top and dark on the bottom.

Size

Length

81cm to 96cm

Wingspan

100cm to 120cm

Weight

900g to 1.5kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Red Yellow Blue

Secondary Colour

Green

Beak Colour

White Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Scarlet Macaw can be found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Scarlet Macaw is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Scarlet Macaws inhabit tropical rainforests in Central and South America. They range from southern Mexico through Panama and into the Amazon Basin, including parts of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. These birds prefer lowland forests but can also be found in humid evergreen forests.

They are non-migratory, maintaining year-round territories in their tropical habitats. Scarlet Macaws can be seen in zoos and aviaries worldwide.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Scarlet Macaw. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons