Scarlet Macaw vs Senegal Parrot

Ara macao compared with Poicephalus senegalus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Scarlet Macaw	Senegal Parrot
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Aves (Birds)	Aves (Birds)
Order same	Psittaciformes (Parrots)	Psittaciformes (Parrots)
Family same	Psittacidae (True Parrots)	Psittacidae (True Parrots)
Genus	Ara (Macaws)	Poicephalus
Species	Ara macao	Poicephalus senegalus

Evolutionary Relationship

Scarlet Macaw and Senegal Parrot share a common ancestor at the Family level: Psittacidae. (True Parrots)

View Family: Psittacidae

Conservation Status

Scarlet Macaw

LC — Least Concern

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Senegal Parrot

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic 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.

Senegal Parrot

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Liberia), Asia (Israel), and Europe (7 countries).

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.

Senegal Parrot

A compact, medium-sized African parrot with yellow-green and orange-brown plumage and a diagnostic black and yellow head pattern, Senegal parrots inhabit open woodland and forest edges across West Africa from Senegal to Cameroon and Chad. Highly regarded as pet birds for their playful personalities, ability to mimic sounds, and strong bond with individual owners. Resilient and adaptable, they are common in agricultural areas and are heavily trapped for the pet trade. Listed as Least Concern.