Military Macaw

Ara militaris

Animal Class: Bird

Length: 27-33 inches with a 33-43 inch wingspan.

Weight: 2-2.5 pounds

Lifespan: Around 60 years.

Diet: Mostly seeds, fruit, and leaves.

Habitat: Tropical forests with large canopies in Mexico, Argentina, and Bolivia.

Description: Military macaws are named for the olive green of their feathers, similar to a military green. Like most large parrots, they’re social birds and live in large flocks.

Military macaws have a surprisingly narrow diet, and they only eat a few of the plants available to them. They also feed on “macaw licks,” heaps of clay along riverbanks, that scientists believe remove toxins from their diet and provide dietary salt to their diet.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Our Animals: Pico