Military Macaw
Ara militaris

CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Psittaciformes
FAMILY: Psittacidae

SIZE:
16 to 18 inches

RANGE:
Tropical South America and Mexico

HABITAT:
Forests near watercourses; arid and semi-arid regions

DIET:
Wild - seeds, fruits, nuts berries and probably vegetable matter
Zoo - parrot mix and fruits

DESCRIPTION:
Dull, olive green; forehead deep red; beak blackish; wings deep, dull bluish-red

ADAPTATIONS:

• Roost in large groups making regular AM and PM plights to feeding grounds. Remain paired in flocks.
• Screech loudly as approached and rise rapidly into the air
• Characterized by slow, shallow wing beats.
• Large powerful beaks used to crack open very hard nutshells
• Strong beak also used as third foot to help climb

YOUNG/NESTS:

• Nests In hollow of tree lined with coarse wood dust
• Rarely found near human habitation due to shooting and collecting