Thursday, 15 January 2026

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)

OTHER NAMES: Red-and-Yellow Macaw, Red-and-blue Macaw
Latin Etymology: Ara (onomatapoeiac name from Tupi for macaws) macao (macaw)

 

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Ara macao cyanopterus
Weight:1kg  /  Length: 81-96cm  /  Wingspan: 107-122cm
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Scarlet macaws are an instantly recognisable species and an icon among tropical birds of the most long-lived of all bird species with an expected lifespan of 40-50 years but recorded as living to 90. They are one of the largest of all parrots and being loud, social and brightly coloured are easily one of the most conspicuous species in areas they occur. They are recorded as being kept as pets as early as the 11th century, and today are still a popular species in aviculture.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Ara
SUBSPECIES: A. m. macao, A. m. cyanopterus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Guacamayo Escarlata ("Scarlet Macaw")
A highly local species found near the Nicaragian Border, at Tarcoles and Corcovado National Park.
Found in - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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