🦜

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

Least Concern ↓

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

50 years

Length

85 cm

Weight

1.0 kg

Population

50.0K

Trend

↓ Decreasing

About

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.

Fun Facts

✨ Macaws can mimic human speech.
✨ They mate for life.
✨ They eat clay from riverbanks to neutralize toxins in their food.

Habitat & Distribution

Typically found in grasslands, forests, and vegetated habitats.

🌲 Forest

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

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇻🇪 Venezuela

Diet & Behavior

🌿

Herbivore

Scarlet Macaw is classified as herbivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🌿 Herbivore

Plant matter 100%

Conservation Status

LC Least Concern

Estimated Population

50.0K

Population Trend

↓ Decreasing

Full Taxonomy

Psittaciformes (Parrots)

Family

Psittacidae (True Parrots)

Genus

Ara (Macaws)

Species

Ara macao (Scarlet Macaw)

Names in Other Languages

Japanese コンゴウインコ

Chinese 緋紅麥鷍

Spanish Guacamaya roja

French Ara rouge

German Scharlachara

Portuguese araracanga

Russian Красный ара

Similar Species in Ara

🦜

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Critically Endangered

🦜

Chestnut-fronted Macaw

Critically Endangered

View all species in Ara →

Explore More

Compare Species

vs Blue-and-yellow Macaw vs Blue-throated Macaw vs Chestnut-fronted Macaw vs Cuban Macaw

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Scarlet Macaw?

The scientific name of Scarlet Macaw is Ara macao. It belongs to the genus Ara.

What is the conservation status of Scarlet Macaw?

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. The population trend is decreasing.

Where does Scarlet Macaw live?

Scarlet Macaw is found in Found across Europe (5 countries) and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela). Population trends indicate a declining trajectory in parts of its range.. Countries include Belgium, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, Venezuela.

What family does Scarlet Macaw belong to?

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) belongs to the genus Ara, which is part of the taxonomic family Psittacidae.

What does Scarlet Macaw eat?

Scarlet Macaw is herbivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does Scarlet Macaw live?

Scarlet Macaw has an average lifespan of approximately 50 years in the wild.

How many Scarlet Macaw are left in the wild?

The estimated wild population of Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is approximately 50,000 individuals.

Is Scarlet Macaw endangered?

No, Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, meaning it is not currently at significant risk of extinction.