Blue & Gold Macaws (Ara Ararauna)

Conservation Status: Least Concern
Origin: Widely distributed throughout northern South America; Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia
Habitat: Tropical forests, woodlands and palm swamps
Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruits (especially palm fruits), berries and leaves.
Size (from beak to tail): 76-91cm (wingspan 102-112.5cm)
Weight: 0.9-1.5kg (2-3lbs)
Threats: Habitat loss due to deforestation for cattle ranching and agriculture, the illegal wildlife trade due to their popularity as pets and illegal poaching for their feathers and meat

Blue and Gold Macaws are large, intelligent, social South American parrots characterised by their bright blue and yellow plumage and strong beaks. Inhabiting the tropical forests and woodlands of Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia, they primarily feed on fruits, nuts and seeds, living in pairs or flocks of up to 25 individuals. Like most of the parrot family, macaws are very intelligent and communicate constantly with their companions.

Did you Know? Studies have shown that macaws are highly intelligent, with their intelligence comparable to that of 3 to 5 year old child! They possess sophisticated problem-solving abilities, can learn to talk and mimic sounds, and have a complex emotional range, though they can exhibit tantrum-like behaviors. Download our fact file to find out more!

The Blue and Gold Macaws are named Max and Marvin!