{"id":6547,"date":"2024-04-22T11:50:10","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T17:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pasopacifico.org\/?p=6547"},"modified":"2024-09-24T15:53:01","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T21:53:01","slug":"fascinating-facts-about-the-scarlet-macaw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pasopacifico.org\/fascinating-facts-about-the-scarlet-macaw\/","title":{"rendered":"Fascinating Facts About the Scarlet Macaw"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you think about parrots, you\u2019re probably picturing the scarlet macaw with its brilliant red plumage, bright blue and yellow feathers, and creamy white face. Intelligent, sociable, and stunningly beautiful, it is the world\u2019s most famous parrot species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from being frequently featured in TV shows and films, the scarlet macaw plays an important role in our ecosystem. For one, this neotropical parrot distributes seeds throughout its vast Central and South American range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join Paso Pacifico<\/a> as we explore more fascinating facts about this extraordinary bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 Quick Facts About the Scarlet Macaw<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Get to know this gorgeous bird with these 9 quick facts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Scarlet Macaws Are the Largest Parrots <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These birds are the largest parrots in the world! Its subspecies, the cyanoptera macaw, can be as long as 36 inches from beak to tail.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.  They\u2019re  Visually Impressive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scarlet macaws are fondly known as the rainbows of the rainforest. They have a striking plumage, which is predominantly red, with yellow and light blue feathers on the rump and tail. Around the eyes is a large patch of creamy white skin, which is mostly featherless. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its subspecies, the cyanoptera macaw<\/a>, is distinguished by its median and secondary wing coverts, which are tipped in blue. Additionally, it lacks the green band that separates the brilliant yellow from the blue hue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. They Have a Diverse Diet <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These South American birds are omnivores that enjoy plants and meat, feasting heavily on bugs, snails, nectar, leaves, seeds, insects, nuts, and flowers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, they can digest toxic fruits that are lethal to other animals. This immunity is attributed to their habit of eating clay by the riverbanks, which neutralizes chemicals<\/a> like tannins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Ara Macaws Have a Powerful Curved Beaks <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scarlet macaws\u2019 powerful curved beaks are used to crack open the husks of fruits and crush hard nuts and seeds for easy digestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But did you know that it has other uses? Their hooked and strong appendage\u2014which packs enough force to split open coconut shells\u2014helps them climb branches and defend themselves against predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Most Are Left-Footed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scarlet macaws, including Ara macao cyanoptera, are left-footed. This preferential bias is because the right sides of their brains are more developed than the left. This is why they use their left feet to grasp, grab, and manipulate food while the right supports their bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. They\u2019re Monogamous <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scarlet macaws are monogamous and remain dedicated to their mates for life. They show affection by touching their partners\u2019 feet, licking each other\u2019s faces, \u201ckissing,\u201d preening, and talking to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In certain situations (like when the pair fails to reproduce or a mate gets lost in the wild), the other partner will mate with another macaw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Scarlet Macaws Breed Every 1 to 2 Years <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These parrots breed once every one to two years, though some pairs also mate year-round. Females typically produce 2 to 4 white and rounded eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. They Help Plant Trees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These neotropical birds are seed predators<\/a> and seed dispersers. They can transport and disperse large fruits and seeds over long distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Scarlet Macaws Have Long Lifespans <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ara macaws have the longest lifespan among parrots. They can live up to 40 to 50 years in the wild. Researchers believe that their large brains may be the reason why they outlive most species in the animal kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Threats To the Scarlet Macaw <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Though the International Union for Conservation of Nature\u2019s (IUCN) red list classifies the Ara Macao\u2019s numbers as Least Concern (LC), its numbers continue to decrease. Globally, there are only 20,000 to 50,000 left<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However . . . <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we consider its Mesoamerican subspecies, the Ara macao cyanoptera, the situation turns dire. Paso Pacifico estimates that there are fewer than 20<\/a> of them left in western Central America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the most common threats faced by the Ara macao cyanoptera:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Predation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Clay enables these parrots to enjoy immunity from the toxic fruits that are part of their diets. To ingest it, however, they have to fly to the riverside where they become easy prey for raptors like eagles, hawks, and falcons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quite often, these animals also take fledglings from their nests. Baby birds are generally well-camouflaged in the thick, dense foliage of the rainforests. However, they are threatened by arboreal predators like snakes, toucans, forest falcons, monkeys, and other small carnivorous animals. Sometimes, they are also hunted by large cats like jaguars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pet Trading <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The scarlet macaw is listed in Appendix I<\/a> of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Hence, their trade is prohibited or tightly controlled, except in rare cases like scientific research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though illegal, poaching remains the largest threat to the species based on information from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)<\/a>. The demand is driven by people who insist on keeping them as pets. They\u2019re also hunted for food and their colorful feathers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A single ara macao cyanoptera can fetch as much as $1,000 on the black market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habitat Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Their numbers are dwindling due to habitat loss, the result of agricultural encroachment, climate change, industrial development, the harvesting of timber, road network expansion, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poachers sometimes cut down trees to get to the eggs or hatchlings, which exacerbates the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can We Do To Save the Scarlet Macaw Bird?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot we can do to help preserve the species and their vital place in our ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create Awareness About Scarlet Macaws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While people are often aware of the scarlet macaw\u2019s existence, not enough know about its diminishing population. The first and crucial step to protecting them is spreading the word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell people about their precarious situation, their important roles as seed dispersers, and how they help maintain forest biodiversity. This will encourage discussion and inspire action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Keep Them as Pets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earlier in this post, we mentioned that keeping these birds as pets fuels poaching activities. One of the easiest ways to protect them is not to buy them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, keeping birds as pets is cruel. Away from their natural environments, their wings are often clipped and they are more likely to engage in destructive behavior<\/a> that can lead to poor health and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save Their Natural Habitats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scarlet macaws, like the Ara macao cyanoptera, typically live in large trees that are found in undisturbed tropical forests. It\u2019s thus important to conserve and restore their habitats through targeted activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n