Scarlet Macaw is one of the birds visitors can discover in the Zoo at Flamingo Land. Its natural range is associated with Central and South America. Its scientific name is Ara macao.
Diet
Scarlet macaws eat fruit, nuts, seeds and other plant material, cracking hard foods with a powerful bill.
Habitat and range
They inhabit lowland tropical forest and river-edge woodland from Central America into South America.
Behaviour and adaptations
Pairs often remain together within noisy flocks. Strong feet act almost like hands when climbing and feeding.
Conservation
The conservation status recorded for this entry is Least Concern. Although still widespread, forest loss, nest poaching and illegal trade have reduced many regional populations. Conservation classifications can change when new assessments are published.
What to look for
Watch paired birds, strong climbing movements and the way food is held in one foot. Individual animals can choose when to rest, feed or move out of view, so sightings vary through the day. Check the daily programme for keeper talks and current information about the animals in the collection.