Great Green Macaw
Ara ambiguus
The Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) is a legendary african and new world parrot found in 4 countries, weighing about 1.3 kg. The great green macaw, also known as Buffon's macaw or the great military macaw, is a critically endangered Central and South America parrot found in Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador.
About the Great Green Macaw
The great green macaw, also known as Buffon's macaw or the great military macaw, is a critically endangered Central and South America parrot found in Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador. Two allopatric subspecies are recognized; the nominate subspecies, Ara ambiguus ssp. ambiguus, occurs from Honduras to Colombia, while Ara ambiguus ssp. guayaquilensis appears to be endemic to remnants of dry forests on the southern Pacific coast of Ecuador. The nominate subspecies lives in the canopy of wet tropical forests and in Costa Rica is usually associated with the almendro tree, Dipteryx oleifera.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Great green macaws are the largest parrots in their natural range, the second heaviest macaw species (although they are relatively shorter tailed than other large macaws such as the red-and-green macaw and are thus somewhat shorter), and the third heaviest parrot species in the world. This species averages 85–90 cm (33.5–35.5 in) in length and 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) in weight. They are mainly green and have a reddish forehead and pale blue lower back, rump and upper tail feathers. The tail is brownish-red tipped with very pale blue. Voice: An extremely loud, raucous "aak, raak" that can be heard at great distances. Captive birds will emit loud squawks and growls, and also make creaking or groaning sounds. See external links for an example.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, July, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Watch the Great Green Macaw on live cams
- Macaw Recovery Network FeederCosta Rica · Streaming now
- Great Green Macaw NestSarapiquí, Costa Rica · Streaming now
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Great Green Macaw?
- Great green macaws are the largest parrots in their natural range, the second heaviest macaw species (although they are relatively shorter tailed than other large macaws such as the red-and-green macaw and are thus somewhat shorter), and the third heaviest parrot species in the world. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Great Green Macaw?
- The Great Green Macaw is a large sized bird weighing about 1.3 kg.
- Where can you see a Great Green Macaw?
- The Great Green Macaw occurs in 4 countries, including Costa Rica and Ecuador.
- What birds look similar to a Great Green Macaw?
- The Great Green Macaw is most easily confused with the Red-fronted Macaw, the Blue-throated Macaw and the Military Macaw.
- Is the Great Green Macaw endangered?
- The Great Green Macaw is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Great Green Macaw for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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