Red-and-green Macaw
Ara chloropterus
Enormous parrot with a long pointed tail, a red head and body with mostly blue wings and green wing coverts. It has a white face with distinct red stripes. Only possible confusion species is Scarlet Macaw, which has yellow (not green) wing coverts and lacks red stripes on the face. Found in lowland rainforests from eastern Panama to Paraguay. Usually found in pairs, flying over the forest and perching in the canopy. Can gather in small groups, especially at fruiting trees or clay licks. Nests in cavities. Listen for raucous calls, typical of large macaws.
Identification
The green-winged macaw can be readily distinguished from the scarlet macaw. While the breast of both birds are bright red, the upper-wing covert feathers of the green-winged macaw is mostly green (as opposed to mostly yellow, or a strong mix of yellow and green in the scarlet macaw). In addition, the green-winged macaw has characteristic red lines around the eyes formed by rows of tiny feathers on the otherwise bare white skin patch; this is one of the biggest differences from a scarlet macaw to the casual viewer. Iridescent teal feathers are surrounded by red on the tail. If seen together, the green-winged macaw is clearly larger than the scarlet macaw as well.<p>In terms of length, this species is second only in size to the hyacinth macaw, the largest of the macaws. The red-and-green macaw attains a total body length of 90 to 95 cm (35 to 37 in) in adults. Twelve adults were found to average 1,214 g (2.676 lb). A weight range of between 1,050 and 1,708 g (2.315 and 3.765 lb) has been reported. While its weight range is broadly similar to that of the hyacinth, the average weight of the red-and-green macaw is slightly surpassed by both the hyacinth and great green macaws, and amongst all living parrots additionally by the kākāpō.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ara chloropterus
- Authority
- Gray, GR, 1859
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Ara
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The green-winged macaw generally mates for life. The female typically lays two or three eggs in a nest made in a hole in a tree. The female incubates the eggs for about 28 days, and the chicks fledge from the nest about 90 days after hatching.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ornate Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus ornatus
Uncommon, spectacular, crested eagle of tropical forest in the lowlands and foothills. Most frequently seen soaring in mid-late morning, but when hunting perches at all levels in the forest interior. Gives far-carrying, hiccupping whistles while flying, indicating its presence. Adult has orangish plumage on the side of its head and boldly barred underparts. The immature, although rarely seen, has a white head and white underparts with barring on the belly. The long and spiky crest is held flat in flight, but can be raised vertically on perched birds.
Javan Kingfisher
Halcyon cyanoventris
Large kingfisher with a massive lipstick-red bill. Note dark head, dark chestnut throat and chest, purplish body, electric blue wings, and large black shoulder patch. Bright white wing patches revealed in flight. Uses a variety of both wet and dry lowland and foothill habitats, including ponds, mangroves, agricultural fields, open forest, and scrub. Can be close to human habitation. Gives high piping screams, often in series.
Chaco Earthcreeper
Tarphonomus certhioides
Small earthcreeper with long tail and curved bill. Inhabits the ground and low vegetation in dense Chaco spiny woodlands and shrubby slopes, where it generally forages alone. Both sexes have uniform orangish-brown plumage. Note the white throat and the dark supercilium. Feeds on small insects and caterpillars gleaned out of the ground. Voice is a series of 5–10 loud notes increasing in volume.
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