Resplendent Quetzal vs Scarlet Macaw
Pharomachrus mocinno comparé à Ara macao
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Resplendent Quetzal | Scarlet Macaw |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Pharomachrus mocinno | Ara macao |
| Ordre | Trogoniformes | Psittaciformes |
| Famille | Trogonidae | Psittacidae |
| Statut de conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 36,0 cm (14.2 in) | 85,0 cm (33.5 in) |
| Envergure | 50,0 cm (19.7 in) | 110,0 cm (43.3 in) |
| Poids | 210,0 g (7.41 oz) | 1000,0 g (35.27 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … | Fruits, nuts, seeds, and flowers from rainforest canopy trees. Visits clay licks to detoxify compounds … |
| Taille de la couvée | 1-2 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Resplendent Quetzal
Montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters. Requires old-growth forest with dead trees for nesting cavities.
Scarlet Macaw
Humid tropical lowland rainforests, gallery forests, and forest edges. Requires large mature trees with cavities for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Resplendent Quetzal
Melodious, repetitive cooing: a series of 'kowee-kowee-kowee' or 'woh-woh-woh-woh' phrases. Male sings from high exposed perches in cloud forest canopy. Evocative highland call.
Scarlet Macaw
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
Resplendent Quetzal
Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.
Scarlet Macaw
Southern Mexico through Central America to Amazonian South America, including Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia.
Statut de conservation
Resplendent Quetzal
Scarlet Macaw
How to Tell Them Apart
Resplendent Quetzal
Males have iridescent emerald-green upperparts, a crimson-red breast, and extraordinarily long green tail coverts streaming up to 65 cm beyond the tail. Females are duller with grey breasts.
Short, broad, bright yellow bill partially hidden by green feathers
Scarlet Macaw
Brilliant scarlet red body with bright yellow wing coverts and blue flight feathers and tail. Large white bare facial patch around the eye.
Large, strongly curved bill — pale horn upper mandible, dark lower mandible
About These Birds
Resplendent Quetzal
The resplendent quetzal was considered divine by the Maya and Aztec civilizations, associated with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Its iridescent green plumage and long tail streamers make it one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Guatemala's currency is named after this bird.
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.