Macaws

 

Macaws are long-tailed, often colourful New World parrots.  Of the many different Psittacidae (true parrots) genera, six are classified as macaws: Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Primolius, Orthopsittaca, and Diopsittaca. Previously, the members of the genus Primolius were placed in Propyrrhura, but the former is correct in accordance with ICZN rules. Macaws are native to Central America (especially Mexico), South America, and formerly the Caribbean. Most species are associated with forests, especially rainforests, but others prefer woodland or savannah-like habitats.

 

Proportionately larger beaks, long tails, and relatively bare, light-coloured, medial (facial patch) areas distinguish macaws. Sometimes the facial patch is smaller in some species, and limited to a yellow patch around the eyes and a second patch near the base of the beak in the members of the genus Anodorhynchus. A macaw's facial feather pattern is as unique as a fingerprint.

 

The largest macaws are the Hyacinth, Buffon's (Great Green) and Green-Winged Macaws. While still relatively large, macaws of the genera Cyanopsitta, Orthopsittaca and Primolius are significantly smaller than the members of Anodorhynchus and Ara. The smallest member of the family, the Red-shouldered Macaw, is no larger than some parakeets of the genus Aratinga.

Macaws, like other parrots, toucans and woodpeckers, are zygodactyl, having their first and fourth toes pointing backward.

 

Some Macaws are: 

• Anodorhynchus

  • Glaucous Macaw, Anodorhynchus glaucus (critically endangered or extinct)

  • Hyacinth Macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

  • Indigo Macaw or Lear's Macaw, Anodorhynchus leari

• Cyanopsitta

  • Little Blue Macaw or Spix's Macaw, Cyanopsitta spixii (probably extinct in the wild)

• Ara

  • Blue-and-yellow Macaw or Blue-and-gold Macaw, Ara ararauna

  • Blue-throated Macaw, Ara glaucogularis

  • Military Macaw, Ara militaris

  • Great Green Macaw or Buffon's Macaw, Ara ambiguus

  • Scarlet Macaw or Aracanga, Ara macao

  • Green-winged Macaw and Red-and-green Macaw, Ara chloropterus

  • Red-fronted Macaw, Ara rubrogenys

  • Chestnut-fronted Macaw or Severe Macaw, Ara severa

  • Cuban Red Macaw, Ara tricolor (extinct)

  • Saint Croix Macaw, Ara autochthones (extinct)

• Orthopsittaca

  • Red-bellied Macaw, Orthopsittaca manilata

• Primolius

  • Blue-headed Macaw, Primolius couloni

  • Blue-winged Macaw or Illiger's Macaw, Primolius maracana

  • Golden-collared Macaw, Primolius auricollis

• Diopsittaca

  • Red-shouldered Macaw or Hahn's Macaw, Diopsittaca nobilis