Green-winged+Macaw

toc //Ara chloroptera // Order: Psittaciformes =**__Husbandry Information__**=

Diet Requirements

 * In the wild, this species eats nuts, fruits, berries, seeds, and some vegetable matter forages from trees. They are able to eat some poisonous fruits due to their habit of eating river clay, which appears to neutralize the toxins.
 * In captivity, they are fed usually fed pellets, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Notes on Enrichment & Training


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Potential Messaging


=__Acquisition Information__=

=__Comments from the Rating System__=
 * Zoo New England, Stone Zoo: Experienced handlers are a necessity!

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Range and Habitat
Green-winged macaws can be found in Central and South America, including Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Their preferred habitat is tropical forests, mangrove swamps, and savannas.

Physical Description
 Green-winged macaws are mostly red in color, with green across the feathers on the shoulder area. Most of the flight feathers are blue and red. The upper beak is white and the lower beak is black. The facial area is bare, and has red feathers lining around the eyes.  This species is the second largest species of parrot, second in size only to the Hyacinth macaw, an endangered species. Body length is 33 to 36 inches (half of which is tail feathers), and the wingspan is 44 to 48 inches. They weigh 2 to 4 pounds. Females are smaller than males, but both sexes look the same.

Life Cycle
 Breeding season breed in the spring and early summer. Green-winged macaws nest in holes in damaged palms high above the ground, or in hollow tree trunks. They typically lay 3 white eggs, which are incubated for 28 days. Young fledge at 12 to 13 weeks, are weaned at 8 to 10 weeks, and are independent at 16 months or age. Both sexes share the responsibility of raising the young.  Breeding pairs mate for life, and couples spend most of their time together throughout their lives.  In captivity, green-winged macaws can live for 70 to 90 years. Lifespan varies in the wild.

Behavior
These birds are frequently seen in pair or family groups, but will occasionally gather in small flocks of 6 to 12 birds. Larger groups can be found in feeding trees or on clay licks.

Threats and Conservation Status
 The greatest threat to this species is habitat destruction and the illegal bird trade, although humans will also hunt this species for their feathers and their meat. Common natural predators include false vampire bats, ornate hawk-eagles, harpy eagles, goshawks, and falcons. There are reports that capuchin monkeys prey upon them as well.  Green-winged macaws were placed in CITES endangered species list in 1981.

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=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * The Philadelphia Zoo