Military macaw - Ara militaris

The Military Macaw is characterized by its color of a rather dark green, its forehead is red and the area of the face is white with black lines. Depending on its mood it can become pinkish. The flight feathers are blue on top and olive yellow underneath, the lower back is blue, the tail is blue and red and its beak is entirely black. The partners are monogamous and stay together for life.

Nests and large common resting are located on cliffs or in large trees. It usually flies in pairs, sometimes in groups. Its flight is fast and direct, it can also glide. They perform aerial acrobatics during mating displays.

Its beak is well adapted to the bird's mode of movement: it serves as its third foot when climbing.

CLASS : Birds
ORDER : Psittaciformes
FAMILY : Psittacidae
WINGSPAN : 70 cm
WEIGHT : about 900g
CLUTCH SIZE : 2-3 eggs
INCUBATION :
LIFE EXPECTANCY : about 13 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity
DIET : seeds, fruits, nuts, buds
NATURAL HABITAT : tropical forests, wooded foothills, canyons
RANGE : fragmented area from Mexico to Argentina

Conservation status info

VU : vulnerable
This species is threatened mainly due to the loss of its habitat and catches for illegal trade. Its population is declining, the decline is rapid and continuous.