The scarlet macaw is a vividly colored rainforest parrot with predominantly scarlet red plumage and blue-and-yellow wing feathers.
Ara macao ranges through tropical forests from southern Mexico to much of South America. Its huge, strongly curved bill can crack hard seeds and nuts, while its zygodactyl feet—with two toes pointing forward and two backward—help it climb and handle food.
Scarlet macaws commonly form lifelong pairs and may gather in large, noisy groups at feeding sites or clay licks. Their calls carry long distances through the forest canopy. They eat fruits, seeds, nuts, and other plant material.
The species is often confused with the green-winged macaw, which has green rather than yellow areas on the wings and a different pattern on the face. Habitat loss and trapping have reduced some populations.