Red-fronted Macaw

Ara rubrogenys

A large and sometimes conspicuous macaw of Bolivia’s interandean dry valleys. This species is critically endangered, but can sometimes be locally common, especially near tall cliffs cut in hillsides by rivers. Often forages in and around agriculture. The only large, green macaw in its range. Fairly similar to Military Macaw, but shows orange fold to leading edge of wing, no bare facial skin, and a dark gray bill. Often noticed by loud, raucous voice.

Identification

The red-fronted macaw is 55–60 cm (21.5–23.5 in) long. It is mostly green, and has a red forehead, a red patch over the ears and bright red to orange edged under wing coverts. It has an area of pinkish skin around the eyes extending to the beak. It has red at the bend of wings and blue primary wing feathers.

Taxonomy

Genus: Ara; Family: Psittacidae; Order: Psittaciformes.

Scientific name
Ara rubrogenys
Authority
Lafresnaye, 1847
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittacidae
Genus
Ara

Range and habitat

The red-fronted macaw is native to a small mountainous area of south-central Bolivia situated about 200 km west of Santa Cruz, in the department of the same name, where the climate is medium altitude semi-desert. The natural vegetation consists mostly of cactus (large and small) and thorny trees and scrub. The climate is semi arid with cold nights and hot days. Rain comes in infrequent heavy storms. It is unusual in that it is the only macaw to inhabit such a climatic zone. Most macaws nest in holes in large trees, however here there are no very large trees in its range so it nests in vertical fissures in cliff faces. The bird has been captured for the pet trade in the past and killed by local farmers because it raids their crops.

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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Oriental Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus orientalis

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Mosque Swallow

Mosque Swallow

Cecropis senegalensis

This large swallow has rusty-red underparts, a pale buff throat, and a white leading edge to the underwing that is obvious only in flight. It is mostly resident, although it is also a wet season migrant to the north of its range. Pairs prefer wooded savanna, nesting in banks, termite mounds, and often holes in trees, particularly baobabs. The Mosque Swallow may be confused with the juvenile Rufous-chested Swallow, but it lacks the latter species’ dark “ear-flaps” and buffy forward part of the underwing.

Serra Antwren

Serra Antwren

Formicivora serrana

Small, strikingly-plumaged antbird with a long tail and a very restricted range. Inhabits the understory of low stature or regenerating forests, forest edges, scrub, and abandoned plantations where it is very active and occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Much plumage variation, with coastal males near Rio de Janeiro (formerly split as Restinga Antwren) being almost uniformly sooty-black with only slightly grayer back and spotted white wingbars. Two more northerly subspecies vary between rufous-brown and dark gray above, but both are black below with a bold white eyebrow and white wing spots. In all subspecies, females are pale whitish below and brown above with a bold white eyebrow. Male song is a monotonous series of harsh chip notes; female gives nasal squeaks.

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