Coconut Milkcap vs Scarlet Macaw

Lactarius glyciosmus compared with Ara macao

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Coconut Milkcap	Scarlet Macaw
Kingdom	Fungi (Fungi)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Russulales (Russulales)	Psittaciformes (Parrots)
Family	Russulaceae	Psittacidae (True Parrots)
Genus	Lactarius	Ara (Macaws)
Species	Lactarius glyciosmus	Ara macao

Conservation Status

Coconut Milkcap

LC — Least Concern

Scarlet Macaw

LC — Least Concern

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Coconut Milkcap	Scarlet Macaw
Diet	—	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	—	50 years
Average Length	—	85 cm
Average Weight	—	1.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Coconut Milkcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

Scarlet Macaw

Habitat

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela). Population trends indicate a declining trajectory in parts of its range.

Coconut Milkcap

The Coconut Milkcap (Lactarius glyciosmus) is a small to medium-sized ectomycorrhizal fungus in the family Russulaceae, recognizable by its pale pinkish-buff or grayish cap and the sweet coconut-like fragrance that gives the species its common name. The cap typically measures 2–6 centimetres across, convex when young and flattening with age, often developing a central depression. Like all milkcaps, it exudes a mild, watery-white latex when the flesh is broken. This fungus forms obligate mycorrhizal associations primarily with birch trees (Betula spp.), making it a characteristic species of northern and montane birch woodlands, heathlands, and mixed deciduous forests. It fruiting bodies emerge from late summer through autumn, pushing up through leaf litter and mossy substrates. Distribution spans cool-temperate regions of Europe, including Scandinavia, the British Isles, and central Europe, extending eastward across Russia and into parts of North America. The species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, reflecting its broad range and stable populations in suitable birch habitats. Ecologically, Lactarius glyciosmus plays a crucial role in forest nutrient cycling, facilitating phosphorus and water uptake for its host trees. The coconut scent, caused by volatile aromatic compounds in the flesh, distinguishes it from similar milkcap relatives such as Lactarius mammosus. It is generally considered inedible due to its mild bitterness, though not toxic.

Scarlet Macaw

One of the most brilliantly colored birds in the Americas, scarlet macaws display vivid red, yellow, and blue plumage with wingspans reaching 1 meter. Found in humid lowland forests from Mexico to Bolivia, they are highly intelligent, long-lived — up to 75 years — and form lifelong pair bonds. They travel long distances to clay licks where they consume mineral-rich soil to detoxify seeds. Listed as Least Concern but locally threatened by habitat loss and the pet trade.