Often confused with the Scarlet Macaw, the Green-winged Macaw is mostly red, with blue and green wings, a blue tail and gray legs. Their face is white and striped with small red feathers; their upper beak is whitish and the lower beak is black. One of the largest of the Macaws, the Green-winged Macaw can grow up to three feet in length and three and half pounds in weight.
Food
Nuts, fruit, berries, seeds and some vegetable matter foraged from trees constitute the typical diet of these Macaws. They are able to eat some poisonous fruits due to their habit of eating river clay, which appears to neutralize the toxins.
Habitat
Tropical forests and swamps in Central and South America, including Columbia, Panama, Venezuela, Guyana and Trinidad.
Predators
Boa constrictors, Hawks, Opossums and Rats prey on Green-winged Macaws and their eggs in the wild. The largest dangers to all Macaws are the illegal bird trade and habitat destruction.
Social Structure
Green-winged Macaws are frequently seen in pairs or family groups and occasionally gather in small flocks of six to twelve birds. Larger groups are found in feeding trees or on clay banks, where they may group with other Macaws. They are fairly shy birds and are difficult to see in foliage. Usually only heard within the forest, Green-winged Macaws will fly off making loud screeches when alarmed.
Birth & Offspring
Breeding season ranges from November to March. They lay from one to three eggs, which incubate and hatch within 28 days. They young leave the nest within 90 to 100 days.
Senses
Green-winged Macaws have excellent eyesight and hearing. In captivity they can learn to talk, but are not considered good mimics.
Lydia King is a huge animal lover and has always been fascinated with learning about the animal kingdom. She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture.
