Red-shouldered Macaw

Overview

The red-shouldered macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) is a small green South American parrot and the smallest member of the macaw group. It is named for the red coverts on its wings and is listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Length of 30 cm (12 in) and weight of 165 g (5.8 oz), similar in size to Aratinga parakeets.
• Bright green body with dark or slate blue feathers on the head just above the beak.
• Leading edges of the wings, especially on the underside, are red, appearing at puberty.
• Orange eyes with a small, unfeathered white patch of facial skin; upper mandible is black in Hahn's macaw and horn-coloured in the noble macaw.

Habitat

Native to the tropical lowlands, savannahs, and swamplands of Brazil, the Guianas, Bolivia, Venezuela, and far south-eastern Peru. Wild populations have declined locally due to habitat loss.

Did you know?

The genus name Diopsittaca combines the Ancient Greek word for "noble" with the word for "parrot".