A closer look: Scarlet vs Red-and-Green Macaws!

Large Macaws are the pride of the Amazon. They are best described as delightful, social and colorful birds. In Kabalebo we have 3 different Large Macaws: Blue-and-Yellow, Scarlet and Red-and-Green Macaws. Since the last 2 mentioned almost look similar to each other, we'll have a closer look at the both of them.

Facial look:

• the Scarlet Macaw has light red facial feathers but not too visible
• the Red-and-Green Macaw on the other hand has visible facial feathers. Giving them a more striped face

Color display:

• the Scarlet Macaw has a fresh red color 
• the Red-and-Green Macaw shows a more darker red uniform

Color display (seen on their back):

• the Scarlet Macaw has a visible yellow display 
• the Red-and-Green Macaw shows clearly a green display on its back

Difference in tail feathers color (it took me awhile to 'discover' this one):

• the Scarlet Macaw has a total 'vivid' red tail
• the Red-and-Green Macaw has a darker red tail mixed with a little blue

Luckily they also share some similarities too:

• they are seen in either pairs or in small groups, sometimes we spot a mixed group too

• during the day they travel from the roots to feeding areas, giving us the opportunity to enjoy their presence

• they eat fruits, nuts and seeds
• sadly, they are also threatened with extinction (habitat loss, captivity and hunt for their beautiful feathers)

And no …. I still haven't seen any clay licks in Kabalebo.

For this reason I will be observing the Large Macaws for the next weeks for the Tambopata Research Centre in Peru.


Related article:

Large Macaws - part of the Kabalebo family!