Military macaw
Species
Ara militaris
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittacidae
Endangered
Threatened (vulnerable)
Macaws are a genus of birds of the parrot family (Psittacidae), order Psittaciformes, comprising 14 species (six of which are extinct) of American origin, inhabiting from the jungles of Mexico to about northeastern Argentina. They feed on insects and berries and live in trees.
Seventeen species of macaws are recognised (23, if the extinct ones are considered), divided into 6 genera, with Ara being the most numerous genus (originally this genus contained all the other species, and in some books and sites it is still listed as a single genus).
The military macaw (Ara militaris) is a bird of the genus Ara, of the parrot family (Psittacidae) whose populations range from Mexico to northern Argentina.
Length 70 cm. Weight 0.90-1.1 kg. The plumage is mainly green with a slightly paler head. They have a patch of red feathers on the upper bill. The facial skin is white with lines of small black feathers. The primary and secondary wing feathers are blue. The tail feathers are red edged in blue. The bill is a strong dark grey. The iris is yellow.
It feeds on a wide variety of fruits, palm fruits, nuts, seeds, leaves, flowers, stems and leaf buds of some trees. Some of their food may contain toxic or caustic substances that they are able to digest. In the western Amazon region, these animals consume clay from the rivers to neutralise them almost daily. This clay also provides them with a source of sodium.
Due to the fragmented nature of these populations, their current situation is considered vulnerable.