Bird Guide

Blue-and-yellow Macaw vs Chestnut-fronted Macaw

Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Ara ararauna

Large1.1 kgForest

These birds can reach a length of 81–91 cm (32–36 in) and weigh 1.0–1.5 kg (2–3 lb), making them some of the larger members of their family. They are vivid in appearance with bright aqua blue feathers on the top of their body, except for the head, which is lime colored. The bottom, however, is a rich, deep yellow/light orange. Their beak is black, as well as the feathers under their chin. Its feet are of a gray color, save for black talons.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Luc Viatour · CC BY 2.0
Chestnut-fronted Macaw (Ara severus)

Chestnut-fronted Macaw

Ara severus

Large343 gForest

The chestnut-fronted or severe macaw is mostly green in colour with patches of red and blue on the wings. The head has a chestnut brown patch just above the beak. The beak is black and the patches around the eyes are white with lines of small black feathers. It is the only one of the miniature macaws that has lines of feathers in the bare patches around its eyes. In the wild their typically gregarious personality can become more aggressive at puberty, giving them the name "severe macaw". This tendency can be curbed in captivity but the species requires significant handling to make a tame pet.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Rosa Elena Albornoz · CC0
Photo: Unknown · Public domain

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Blue-and-yellow Macaw and Chestnut-fronted Macaw.