Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

Open Daily
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Scarlet Macaw

Scientific Name:	Ara macao
Range:	Lowlands of Central and South America
Habitat:	Open woodlands and in trees along river edges and savannas
Natural Diet:	Fruits, nuts, and seeds
Zoo Diet:	Sunflower seeds, macaw pellets, fruits, and vegetables
Physical Characteristics:	Scarlet macaws average 34 inches in length. They have scarlet red bodies and tails. The center of the wing is yellow and the outer feathers are blue. The facial area has white skin, fine feathers, and a light colored bill trimmed in black.
Behavior:	Macaws are noisy birds but are quiet when they eat. They form a strong, lifelong bond with their mate. Mates even fly side-by-side with wing tips almost touching. In the wild, scarlet macaws visit dry river beds and swallow chunks of clay. By doing this, they are able to eat unripe fruit and even some poisonous seeds.
Reproduction:	Female scarlet macaws lay two to four eggs in a hollow tree branch. Eggs are incubated for 24 to 25 days. Young are independent after 15 to 16 weeks when they leave the nest.
Notes:	Scarlet macaws are endangered and currently being threatened by habitat destruction. Their feathers were once used in Native American ceremonial headdresses. At the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, you can see scarlet macaws in the Central Zoo.