Blue-throated Macaw vs Scarlet Macaw

Ara glaucogularis compared with Ara macao

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Blue-throated Macaw Scarlet Macaw
Scientific Name Ara glaucogularis Ara macao
Order Psittaciformes Psittaciformes
Family Psittacidae Psittacidae
Conservation Status Critically Endangered Least Concern
Length 85.0 cm (33.5 in)
Wingspan 68.7 cm (27.0 in) 110.0 cm (43.3 in)
Weight 700.0 g (24.69 oz) 1000.0 g (35.27 oz)
Diet -- Fruits, nuts, seeds, and flowers from rainforest canopy trees. Visits clay licks to detoxify compounds …
Clutch Size 1-3 1-4
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Blue-throated Macaw
Scarlet Macaw 85.0 cm
Wingspan
Blue-throated Macaw 68.7 cm
Scarlet Macaw 110.0 cm
Weight
Blue-throated Macaw 700.0 g
Scarlet Macaw 1000.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Blue-throated Macaw only

None

Scarlet Macaw only

Scarlet Macaw

Humid tropical lowland rainforests, gallery forests, and forest edges. Requires large mature trees with cavities for nesting.

Song & Call Comparison

Blue-throated Macaw

Scarlet Macaw

Song

Very loud, raucous squawking screams 'araak-araak'. Also gives chattering contact calls in pairs. Capable of mimicking human speech in captivity. Highly vocal throughout the day.

Geographic Range & Migration

Blue-throated Macaw

Scarlet Macaw

Southern Mexico through Central America to Amazonian South America, including Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia.

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Blue-throated Macaw

Least Concern

Scarlet Macaw

How to Tell Them Apart

Blue-throated Macaw

Scarlet Macaw

Plumage

Brilliant scarlet red body with bright yellow wing coverts and blue flight feathers and tail. Large white bare facial patch around the eye.

Bill

Large, strongly curved bill — pale horn upper mandible, dark lower mandible

About These Birds

Scarlet Macaw

The scarlet macaw is one of the most iconic tropical birds with its dazzling tricolor plumage. These highly intelligent parrots form lifelong pair bonds and can live over 75 years in captivity. They play an important ecological role as seed dispersers in Neotropical rainforests.

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