Scarlet Macaw of South America

The South America Scarlet Macaw is a beautiful bird. The name hints at a bird that is red from head to tail, but the South America Scarlet Macaw boasts a myriad of colors.

Description

The best way to describe the Scarlet Macaw is to show someone a series of photos, both of a Scarlet Macaw sitting, and of a Scarlet Macaw in flight. In words, they might be described this way.

* Coloring: The South America Scarlet Macaw is predominantly bright red. However, its rump and tail top feathers are light blue. The ends of the tail, as well as the part of the flight feathers nearest the breast, are dark blue. The upper parts of the wings toward the back are yellow, with flashes of green where yellow and gold meet. The wings are dark red on the undersides, as are the tail flight feathers. Metallic gold iridescence is seen on both. Bare white skin around the eyes extends to the beak. The upper part of the beak is mostly horn color, while the lower portion is black.

* Size: A South America Scarlet Macaw is a large bird. Normal adult length is between 32 and 36 inches. Nearly one half of that length is the beautiful tail. A Scarlet Macaw in flight looks much like a beautiful kite with a long tail trailing behind it. The Scarlet Macaw weighs between 2 and 2.5 pounds at adulthood.

* Voice: Scarlet Macaws are loud parrots. Their squawks and screams are low-pitched, throaty, and noisy.

Habitat and Lifestyle

The Scarlet Macaw can be found from the Amazon River areas of Brazil and Peru to the most eastern part of Mexico. It is native to the humid evergreen forests of those American tropics. It prefers lowlands, seldom living more than 1500 - 2000 feet above sea level.

In the wild, Scarlet Macaws feed mostly on fruits and seeds. They can break open very large, hard seeds with their powerful beaks. They also gather at clay licks for the minerals missing from their fruit-and-seed diet.

Scarlet Macaws make their nests in large holes near the tops of tall trees. A male that is courting a female will offer her a piece of fruit. If she accepts, she begins to build a nest, and they mate for life. The female will lay 2 to 4 white eggs at a time. Young Scarlet Macaws hatch within 24 to 25 days. They fly from the nest 100-105 days later, but do not leave their parents until as much as a year later.

South America Scarlet Macaws in Captivity

As pets, Scarlet Macaws are very demanding. Sociable and affectionate, they think everyone should love them and shower them with attention. In return, they will adore you, learn to say a few words, and do tricks.

Scarlet Macaws are popular parrots, but new owners must be ready to pay a high price for both the bird and a very large cage. They must be ready, too, for loud screams, especially at sunrise and sunset.