| Green-winged Macaw | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Genus: | Ara |
| Species: | Ara chloroptera |
The Green-winged Macaw, or Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloroptera) is a large species of South American parrot.
Description[]
Slightly bigger than the similar Scarlet Macaw, the Green-winged Macaw is the second largest macaw after the Hyacinth Macaw. This bird has a red body plumage and lesser, middle and greater wing coverts, green primary and middle primary coverts and blue remiges. The rump is light blue. The tail is long and red with blue central feathers. The feet are dark gray. The macaw a patch of white, bare skin with tiny red feathers on the face. The bill is very heavy and big, and black and white in colour.
Behavior[]
This bird is usually seen in pairs or in small flocks, though it sometimes joins large flocks with other species of parrots, especially macaws, with which it licks clay from clay banks found in forests. Thanks to its heavy and strong bill, the green-winged macaw can break heavy seeds, which are a very common food source. Fruit are also eaten. This makes its nest in tree holes. Green-winged macaws are very smart and can live up to seventy or eighty years in captivity, though they usually live forty-fifty years.
Captivity[]
Due to its sharp intelligence and playful behaviour, the green-winged macaw is often kept as pets. However, illegal bird capturing can damage this species badly, along with loss of habitat.
Gallery[]
