Green-Winged Macaw

Ara chloropterus

The green-winged macaw (Ara chloropterus), often called the red-and-green macaw, is a large South American parrot of forests, gallery woodland and wooded savannas. It has a deep red body, green wing coverts, blue flight feathers and pale facial skin crossed by fine lines of red feathers. Its heavy black-and-ivory beak is built for cracking nuts and hard fruits. The species is sometimes confused with the scarlet macaw, but the green wing band and more massive head give it a different look.

Keeping a green-winged macaw is a long-term commitment measured in decades. These birds need a large enclosure or bird-safe room, daily social contact, destructive chewing outlets and tolerance from the household for loud calls. Diets are typically based on formulated parrot food with vegetables, fruit and selected nuts rather than a loose sunflower-seed mix. Breeding pairs are managed in large flights with sturdy nest boxes or logs and minimal disturbance. Responsible acquisition means choosing legal, captive-bred birds and planning for veterinary care, behavior work and succession if the owner can no longer keep the bird.