Great green macaw — Profile, Facts and Conservation

Great green macaw

Ara ambiguus

Introduction

The great green macaw is one of the most emblematic species of the humid forests across its range. The species relies on the large trees of tropical forests for shelter and to raise its chicks.

Moreover, with one of the slowest reproductive cycles among macaws, population recovery becomes particularly challenging when suitable habitat disappears.

WEIGHT
Between 1265g and 1430g

DIET
Herbivorous

ORIGIN
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador

INCUBATION
26–29 days

WEIGHT
Between 1265g and 1430g

DIET
Herbivorous

ORIGIN
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador

INCUBATION
26–29 days

Facts about the great green macaw

Ara ambiguus, also known as the great military macaw, is a large species, reaching between 85 and 90 cm in length and weighing approximately 1,265–1,430 g. Closely resembling the military macaw (Ara militaris), the great green macaw has almost entirely green plumage, with a much paler shade on the head. However, other colours also stand out, including blue on the wing coverts and orange-red tones on the tail and forehead. In older females, the black feather lines across the face often turn red, whereas younger birds display a duller shade of green.

Although the two species may appear very similar, the great green macaw is larger and heavier than the military macaw and favours wetter forest habitats at lower elevations.

As with other macaws, Ara ambiguus has a large, powerful beak. Considerably larger and darker than that of the military macaw, the beak enables the bird to crack exceptionally hard seeds. Meanwhile, zygodactyl feet allow the great green macaw to handle food with precision and move agilely between branches.

Diet

The great green macaw feeds mainly on seeds and fruits found high in the forest canopy. Thanks to the strength of the species’ powerful beak, even food protected by particularly tough shells can be accessed.

Furthermore, as great green macaws move between trees while feeding, they contribute to both seed dispersal and seed predation, thereby playing an important role in the natural regeneration of tropical forests.

Lifestyle

The great green macaw spends much of the day in the forest canopy, the upper layer formed by the crowns of trees, where the birds find both food and shelter.

Relatively little is known about the species’ behaviour. Nevertheless, observations in countries such as Costa Rica have revealed seasonal movements linked to food availability and the breeding cycle. Once the breeding season has ended, great green macaws tend to gather in flocks and disperse over several kilometres in search of food.

Reproduction

Great green macaws form monogamous pairs that may remain together for many years. Reproduction, however, is particularly slow: under natural conditions, a pair may take more than ten years to successfully raise their first offspring.

Incubation lasts approximately 26–29 days, and both parents take part in caring for the chicks until they leave the nest. Clutches generally consist of two to three eggs.

Under human care, the species does not breed frequently. Nevertheless, well-established management and breeding protocols make it possible to maintain reserve populations that support conservation efforts.

Geographic distribution and habitat

The great green macaw has a fragmented distribution across Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador.

The species primarily inhabits lowland humid tropical forests and deciduous dry forests, although great green macaws can also be found along forest edges at elevations of up to 1,000 metres above sea level. In Panama, however, the species may occasionally occur at elevations of up to 1,500 metres.

In Costa Rica, observations have shown a particular dependence on Dipteryx panamensis, both as the main nesting tree and as a food source during the breeding season.

Threats to the population

The great green macaw is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The main threat comes from deforestation of tropical forests for livestock farming, agriculture and logging. As forest cover disappears, both food resources and suitable nesting sites become increasingly scarce, making recovery even more difficult for a species whose reproductive cycle is already naturally slow.

As a consequence, populations continue to decline across much of the great green macaw’s range.

Conservation status (IUCN): Critically Endangered (CR)
Population trend: decreasing

Photos of the Great green macaw

Interesting facts about the great green macaw

Large trees are essential

The great green macaw depends on large trees, particularly for nesting. Consequently, the loss of these trees has a direct impact on the species’ survival.

An exceptionally slow reproductive cycle

In the wild, a pair may take more than ten years to successfully raise their first offspring, making population recovery particularly difficult once numbers begin to decline.

An important gardener of the rainforest

By consuming fruit and carrying seeds to different areas of the forest, the great green macaw naturally contributes to the regeneration of tropical forests.

How we help conserve the great green macaw

At Loro Parque, as an animal embassy, we collaborate in international programmes focused on the conservation and breeding of threatened species.

For the great green macaw, Loro Parque Fundación participates in a conservation project in Ecuador that has successfully reintroduced birds born under human care, thereby contributing to the recovery of the species in its natural habitat.

If you would like to become involved in the conservation of threatened species, you can do so through our sponsorship programme, by symbolically adopting animals and directly supporting conservation projects.

Descárgate nuestra enciclopedia

Dentro de nuestra labor informativa y formativa sobre biodiversidad hemos desarrollado una enciclopedia sobre los cetáceos. Es un documento extenso donde encontrarás datos e información científica sobre el comportamiento y los mitos y verdades que rodean a estos animales.

Certificado de bienestar animal de la Asociación Británica de Agentes de Viajes (ABTA)

Certificado Europeo por la Responsabilidad Ambiental desde 2005

Certificado Humane Conservation con la máxima calificación al mejor parque zoológico de Europa American Humane Association (AHA) EEUU

Certificados desde 2008 por el Instituto de Turismo Responsable y desde 2021 cumpliendo con las acciones Biosphere LifeStyle alineadas con los 17 Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Agenda 2030 de las Naciones Unidas

ISO 9001 – Certificado TUV Rheinland Sistema de gestión de calidad certificado respecto a la norma ISO 9001 desde 2013 ISO 14001 y Certificado TUV Rheinland por el alto respeto al Medio Ambiente desde 2005