Green wing macaw is also known as red and green macaw. Cherry red colored body with green and blue wings, this bird add pulchritude to nature by its presence. This bird belongs to Ara genus of family Psittacidae and order Psittaciformes. Green winged macaw is known by the name Ara chloropterus.
DISTRIBUTION
Green wing macaw hails from the continent of South America, usually distributed in the northern part of the continents and countries like Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Paraguay, Argentina and Venezuela. It is found in tropical rainforest along lowlands and lower foothills of the interior regions.
DISCRIPTION
Green wing macaw was first described by Gray in 1859. Green wing macaw and scarlet macaw may look similar but it is easy to distinguish then by their wing color. Scarlett macaw has a broad band of yellow color on the middle part of its wing whereas that yellow color is replaced by the forest green color in green wing macaw. Below the green, bright turquoise is found and upper part of wing is red as same as whole of the body. Ithas beige coloration on the upper maxilla whereas lower mandible is black.
The bird has red color lines which appears like a fingerprint pattern, with little feathers on the otherwise bare white patch area, around its eyes.Maximum body is covered with red colored feathers but characteristics colors on its wingsallows it to stand out with pride. The legs and feet are gray in color with two toes facing forward and other two facing backward which helps it to manipulate objects in wild.
It is one of the largest bird of macaw family whose wingspan can stretch upto 40 inches. It can grow to the length of 90 to 95 cm (35 to 37 in) and has along taildecorated with blue and red feathers, which makes most of its body length. An adult green wing macaw can weigh upto 1.2 kgs.
BEHAVIOUR
Green wing macaw is considered gentle and affectionate macaw which can easily get along with other macaws of its size but they may scream if find an inappropriate companion around. They like flocking in a small group of about 6 to 8 macaws. They are very social and known for developing bond with humans if they get to spend enough time with owners. They are lovable, friendly, intelligent and trainable.
They can talk and mimic human speech but they are quieter andare not talkative unlikeothers for example, Han’s macaw. The owners may get to hear sporadic screaming which they generally do whenthey are not given appropriate attention. An ill-treated and ignored green wing macaw can raise a ruckus and make owners go crazy so it is necessary to look after them and give them ample amount of time.
BREEDING
Green wing macaw known to mate for life. In wild November is the month when it starts to breed. They nest their eggs inside the hollow trunks of trees. Females generally lay two to three eggs and incubate them for about 28 days and chicks fledge from nest after 90 days of hatching. If breeding is planned in captivity the birds are to be provided with protein, green eatables, carrots and supplements.
BEHAVIOUR
Green wing macaw is considered gentle and affectionate macaw which can easily get along with other macaws of its size but they may scream if find an inappropriate companion around. They like flocking in a small group of about 6 to 8 macaws. They are very social and known for developing bond with humans if they get to spend enough time with owners. They are lovable, friendly, intelligent and trainable.
They can talk and mimic human speech but they are quieter andare not talkative unlikeothers for example, Han’s macaw. The owners may get to hear sporadic screaming which they generally do whenthey are not given appropriate attention. An ill-treated and ignored green wing macaw can raise a ruckus and make owners go crazy so it is necessary to look after them and give them ample amount of time.
BREEDING
Green wing macaw known to mate for life. In wild November is the month when it starts to breed. They nest their eggs inside the hollow trunks of trees. Females generally lay two to three eggs and incubate them for about 28 days and chicks fledge from nest after 90 days of hatching. If breeding is planned in captivity the birds are to be provided with protein, green eatables, carrots and supplements.
FEEDING
In wild they feed on fruits and vegetables, berries and with the help of formidable beak they can easily break and crack-nuts. They can be seen feeding on clay to detoxify their body. In captivity it is important to take care of their nutritional diet containing required vitamins and minerals. They can be given fresh fruits and vegetables in cage or can be fed with commercial seeds and pellet feed which are readily available in market nowadays. Unlike Han’s macaw, this parrot is not an active one so in captivity it becomes necessary to plan their exercise routine by taking them out of the cage for two to three hours and engaging them in activities. Avocado, chocolates and alcohol are harmful for parrots. If proper care is taken, they can live up to 70 years.
DISEASES
The bird can get infected by bacteria, virus and fungus or illness can be because of internal factors like kidney disease, allergies, lipoma, feather picking, toxicity etc. A diseased bird may show some symptoms like drooping wings, sagging body, mood swings, swelling of eyelids, difficulty in breathing, excessive saliva, rasping, bulges in feathers, inactivity, loss of appetite, partially closed or watery eyes.
CONSERVATION
It is kept in the list of least concern by IUCN but illegal parrot trade and habitat destruction has taken toll on its population and the number has declined. It is important to check illegal marketing of green wing macaw and restore forests to preserve it from falling in the category of vulnerable. Organizations like Aves Argentina is working towards this direction and reintroducing the bird in Argentina.