Bird Guide

Blue-and-yellow Macaw vs Scarlet 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
Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

Large1.0 kgForest

It is about 84 centimeters (33 in) long, of which more than half is the pointed, graduated tail typical of all macaws, though the scarlet macaw has a larger percentage of tail than the other large macaws. The average weight is about 1 kilogram (2 lb 3 oz). The plumage is mostly scarlet, but the rump and tail-covert feathers are light blue, the greater upper wing coverts are yellow, the upper sides of the flight feathers of the wings are dark blue as are the ends of the tail feathers, and the undersides of the wing and tail flight feathers are dark red with metallic gold iridescence.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Scarlet Macaw
Recorded by Richard Borrmann · Alarm call · San Buenaventura (near Tumupasa), Iturralde, Departamento de La Paz, Bolivia · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Letartean · CC BY 4.0

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 Scarlet Macaw.