Macaw Mountain

Taxonomy

• Scientific name:

  Ara ambiguus

• Family:

  Psittacidae

• Genus:

  Ara

• Species:

  Ambiguus

• Common names:

  Great green macaw, Buffon’s macaw

Biology

• Morphology:

  85-90 cm length, 1,44 kg adult weight. Front of head is scarlet red, top of head, neck, and back Green, feathers turquoise blue and base is yellowish olive. Lower back and top of feathers above tail are light blue.

• Reproduction:

  They form pairs for life and try to inhabit the same nest each year. They nest in cavities in dry tree trunks

• Diet:

  Seeds and fruits of at least 37 species.

Ecology

• Range:

  They are found in Central American forests from the Eastern Honduras (Northern Limit) to NW Colombia with an additional isolated population in western Ecuador

• Habitat:

  They are found in humid forests from the lowlands to 1,500 M Altitude.

Threats

• Habitat destruction and ilegal trafficking. Risk Category: IUCN “Red List” ENDANGERED