Red-and-green macaw

The red-and-green macaw (Ara chloropterus), also known as the green-winged macaw,[2] is a large, mostly-red macaw of the genus Ara.

Red-and-green macaw
At Apenheul Primate Park, Netherlands
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Ara
Species:
A. chloropterus
Binomial name
Ara chloropterus
(Gray, 1859)
  Distribution of the green-winged macaw

This is the largest of the genus Ara, widespread in the forests and woodlands of northern and central South America. However, in common with other macaws, in recent years there has been a marked decline in its numbers due to habitat loss and illegal capture for the parrot trade.[3]

Description

The green-winged macaw can be readily distinguished from the scarlet macaw. While the breast of both birds are bright red, the upper-wing covert feathers of the green-winged macaw is mostly green but can occasionally sport a few yellow feathers above the band of green (as opposed to mostly yellow, or a strong mix of yellow and green in the scarlet macaw). In addition, the green-winged macaw has characteristic red lines around the eyes formed by rows of tiny feathers on the otherwise bare white skin patch; this is one of the biggest differences from a scarlet macaw to the casual viewer. Iridescent teal feathers are surrounded by red on the tail. If seen together, the green-winged macaw is clearly larger than the scarlet macaw as well.

In terms of length, this species is second only in size to the hyacinth macaw, the largest of the macaws. The red-and-green macaw attains a total body length of 90 to 95 cm (35 to 37 in) in adults.[4] Twelve adults were found to average 1,214 g (2.676 lb).[5] A weight range of between 1,050 and 1,708 g (2.315 and 3.765 lb) has been reported.[4] While its weight range is broadly similar to that of the hyacinth, the average weight of the red-and-green macaw is slightly surpassed by both the hyacinth and great green macaws, and amongst all living parrots additionally by the kakapo.[4][5]

Behavior

The green-winged macaw generally mates for life.[6] The female typically lays two or three eggs in a nest made in a hole in a tree. The female incubates the eggs for about 28 days, and the chicks fledge from the nest about 90 days after hatching.[7]

Population recovery

Since 1999 a population has appeared on Trinidad. Although these might have escaped from captivity, it is also possible they have a wild origin.[8]

The historical range of this species is thought to have stretched southwards to include the Argentine provinces of Chaco, Corrientes, Formosa and Misiones. Hunting for meat, the pet trade and changes in land use are thought to have caused the species to be extirpated throughout its Argentine range by the 1960s. The species is listed as critically endangered in Argentina. In the mid-2010s birds were discovered to have colonised Iguazú National Park, and as of 2019 the species appears to have spread further into nearby Parque provincial Puerto Península.[9]

The species is furthermore the subject of a re-introduction programme to Iberá Provincial Reserve in the province of Corrientes by the World Parrot Trust, Aves Argentinas and Fundación CLT (Conservation Land Trust) (and perhaps BirdLife International), which is hoped may promote tourism to the area. Captive birds from Britain were imported in 2015 and the first pair of British birds was released in February 2019.[9][10]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Ara chloropterus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Red-and- Green Macaw". Avibase.
  3. "Ara chloropterus (Red-and-green macaw)". IUCN Red List. IUCN. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  4. Cameron, M. (2012). Parrots: the animal answer guide. JHU Press.
  5. CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses, 2nd Edition by John B. Dunning Jr. (Editor). CRC Press (2008), ISBN 978-1-4200-6444-5.
  6. "Green-winged Macaw". The Maryland Zoo. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
  7. Alderton, David (2003). The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Caged and Aviary Birds. London, England: Hermes House. p. 235. ISBN 1-84309-164-X.
  8. "Red-and-green Macaw Page". Southeastern Caribbean Birds - Photo Gallery. Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, Trinidad & Tobago Bird Status & Distribution Committee. 27 February 2001. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  9. Escobar, Patricia (5 May 2019). "Registraron un Guacamayo rojo, especie en peligro de extinción en el país, en su vuelo en libertad por el Parque Provincial Pto. Península". Argentina Forestal (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  10. "BirdLife Macaws return to Argentina". BirdGuides. Retrieved 12 November 2015.


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