GREEN-WING MACAW
Ara chloroptera

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION:
The Green-wing Macaw (also known as the Red and Green Macaw) is very different to the Scarlet Macaw. The two main differences are that the Scarlet has yellow on its wing, and the Green-wing has lines of small red feathers on its bare facial skin.

These parrots feed on a variety of seeds, nuts and fruit, and nest in holes, either in trees or cliffs. Like all large macaws, the Green-wing is at risk from illegal capture by unscrupulous poachers for the pet trade. Loss of habitat is also contributing to its decline.

These are the second largest species of macaw (the largest being the Hyacinth Macaw). They can grow up to 90cm (35 inches) in length and can have a wingspan of 115cm (45 inches).

Like many species of parrot they have a very long life span and some individuals have been recorded as living for 80 or 90 years.