Step into the world of our scarlet macaws and unlock the wonders of these extraordinary creatures
Macaws are the largest parrots in the world. The average weight is about 1kg. Scarlet macaws pair for life. Both sexes are reproductively mature at 3 - 4 years. The typical lifespan in the wild is 40 - 50 years, but they can live for up to 75 years in captivity!
The powerful beaks of scarlet macaws, and parrots in general, enable them to break open the toughest nuts and tear into the skin and pulp of unripe fruits. This ability increases the variety of food sources available to them. They can eat fruits toxic enough to kill other animals. This could be because they also eat large amounts of clay, which is thought to neutralise plant poisons.
In Central America, the scarlet macaw appears to be widely distributed, but habitats are fragmented, and only small, scattered populations occur. The scarlet macaw is the national bird of Honduras.
Quick facts
Distribution:
Central and South America
Habitat:
Tropical rainforest canopy
Conservation Status:
Least Concern