Fauna
Bird

Military Macaw

Ara militaris

Military macaws traverse rugged mountainous forests and arid canyon country in raucous family groups or bonded pairs, vocalizing with loud, screeching calls that echo off cliff faces. Pairs mate for life and nest high inside natural tree hollows or crevices along sheer vertical cliff walls. Highly sensitive to human encroachment and illegal poaching for the pet trade, wild populations remain patchy and vulnerable across their fragmented Neotropical range.

VibrantSocialFrugivore
Military Macaw reference1 / 7
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFicus figs, Pinus pine nuts, Melia azedarach seeds
Predators
  • Harpy Eagle
  • Black Hawk-Eagle
  • Jaguar
ThreatsPoaching for the illegal pet trade and deforestation
HabitatsArid to humid deciduous forests, pine-oak woodlands, and canyon cliffs
Life span50–60 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPsittacidae
  2. SpeciesAra militaris
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Possesses an immensely powerful beak capable of inflicting deep crush wounds; maintain distance and never handle wild birds.
Why it is dangerous
Large zygodactyl talons and an exceptionally strong, hooked beak can easily shatter small bones and tear skin during defensive bites.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a bright olive-green body, scarlet forehead patch, bare white facial skin with thin red feather lines, and blue flight feathers.
What to do
Do not attempt to corner, rescue, or touch wild individuals; call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if an injured bird is discovered.
What to notice
Easily recognized by its predominantly green body, bright crimson forehead band, and loud, carrying vocalizations around cliff faces.
Support conservation
Keep observation distances beyond 50 meters, particularly near canyon nest cavities, and do not publish precise coordinates of active nest sites.
Responsible observation
  • Viewing distance: Scan steep limestone cliffs and canyon rims where pairs nest and roost.
  • Listen carefully: Listen for deep, throaty squawks that carry over long distances before the birds appear.
  • Observation etiquette: Keep binoculars trained on the canopy to avoid flushing resting pairs from feeding trees.
Related species
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