About
The Blue and Gold Macaw is one of the largest parrot species, instantly recognizable by its brilliant blue-and-yellow plumage and its long, sweeping tail.
Parrots
Blue and Gold Macaw
Ara ararauna
A large, brightly colored macaw and a favorite for photos.
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
At a Glance
Quick Facts
- Life Span
- 30 - 35 years, up to 60 in human care
- Size
- About 76 - 86 cm long, including the tail
- Diet
- Omnivore - nuts, seeds, and fruit
- Habitat
- Humid forest and palm swamps
- Native Range
- South America, from Panama to Bolivia and Brazil
- Trivia
- Macaws mate for life and are usually seen in pairs.
A Rainbow in Flight
The Blue and Gold Macaw is one of the largest parrot species, with a vivid blue back and wings set against a golden-yellow chest and underside. Its long, pointed tail and broad wingspan make it an impressive flier, and the bare white facial patch, lined with tiny feathers, is unique to each individual bird.
Diet and Habitat
In the wild, Blue and Gold Macaws live in humid forest and palm swamp habitat, where their powerful beak is strong enough to crack open hard nuts, seeds, and palm fruits that most other animals cannot open. They often forage in the forest canopy, sometimes traveling in small, noisy groups between feeding sites.
Social and Family Life
Macaws typically pair for life and are usually seen flying or perching together as a bonded couple. Pairs stay in close contact through loud calls that carry over long distances, helping them keep track of one another across dense forest.
Mini Zoo
