Red-and-green Macaw(Ara chloropterus)
They are also known as the Green-winged Macaw. They can be readily distinguished from the Scarlet Macaw. While the breast of both birds are bright red, the upper-wing covert feathers of the green-winged macaw is mostly green but can occasionally sport a few yellow feathers above the band of green (as opposed to mostly yellow, or a strong mix of yellow and green in the scarlet macaw).
In addition, the green-winged macaw has characteristic red lines around the eyes formed by rows of tiny feathers on the otherwise bare white skin patch; this is one of the biggest differences from a scarlet macaw to the casual viewer. Iridescent teal feathers are surrounded by red on the tail. If seen together, the green-winged macaw is clearly larger than the scarlet macaw as well. In terms of length, this species is second only in size to the hyacinth macaw, the largest of the macaws. The red-and-green macaw attains a total body length of 90-95 cm in adults. While its weight range is broadly similar to that of the hyacinth, the average weight of the red-and-green macaw is slightly surpassed by both the hyacinth and great green macaws. Juvenile resembles adults with shorter tail. Its eyes are grey. The bill has grey lower mandible with white sides of the base.
Habitat
Red-and-Green Macaw lives in the forested areas of northern South America, such as rainforest in tropical northern areas, and deciduous and gallery forests along watercourses in southern parts. This species needs large trees and cliff faces for nesting. It can be found up to 500 metres of elevation, sometimes up to 1500 metres in Panama. Red-and-Green Macaw is found in the Orinoco and Amazon Basins, occupying almost the half north of South America, except the coastal regions. It lives in Central and South America, including Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil and Trinidad.
Diet
Red-and-Green Macaw feeds on seeds, fruits and plant matter. The powerful bill allows the bird to crack open very hard shells, to get the pulp or the seed. They forage in trees. It flies in the early morning and late evening, along the regular routes from the roosts to the feeding areas.
Breeding
Breeding season varies according to the location. Pairs usually are monogamous and mate for life. Red-and-Green Macaw nests as in hole in tree, or in cliffs, according to the availability of the sites.
When nesting in sand-stone cliffs, the tunnel may be two metres deep, and several other tunnels join it. These other tunnels seem to be used as guards against intruders or to protect against heavy rainfalls. It may also use natural cavities in high cliffs. Female lays 2 to 3 white eggs. Incubation lasts about 23 to 27 days. Young fledge at 12 weeks after hatching. They remain with their parents for some weeks more. Both sexes rear the young. In wild, Red-and-Green Macaw does not breed every year, and the reproductive success is low. Diseases and predation are the major threats for the young.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, they are classed as Least Concern(LC). The species is listed as Critically Endangered(CR) in Argentina.The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as fairly common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels of exploitation.
Threats
Red-and-Green Macaw suffers some decline in some parts of the range, due to human disturbances. The species is heavily trapped for illegal pet-trade. Habitat loss is another important threat. This macaw is usually uncommon and the birds are often dispersed.
Conservation
The species is furthermore the subject of a re-introduction programme to Iberá Provincial Reserve in the province of Corrientes by the World Parrot Trust, Aves Argentinas and Fundación CLT (Conservation Land Trust) (and perhaps BirdLife International), which is hoped may promote tourism to the area. Captive birds from Britain were imported in 2015 and the first pair of British birds were released in February 2019.