Ocellate Topeshark vs Scarlet Macaw

Hemitriakis complicofasciata compared with Ara macao

Key Differences

• Ocellate Topeshark is Vulnerable while Scarlet Macaw is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Ocellate Topeshark	Scarlet Macaw
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Carcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks)	Psittaciformes (Parrots)
Family	Triakidae	Psittacidae (True Parrots)
Genus	Hemitriakis	Ara (Macaws)
Species	Hemitriakis complicofasciata	Ara macao

Evolutionary Relationship

Ocellate Topeshark and Scarlet Macaw share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Ocellate Topeshark

VU — Vulnerable

Scarlet Macaw

LC — Least Concern

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Ocellate Topeshark

Habitat

Typically found in marine environments from coastal waters to deep ocean.

Range

Found in Taiwan. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

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.