The great green macaw, also known as Buffon's macaw or the great military macaw, is a critically endangered Central and South America parrot found in Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador. Two allopatric subspecies are recognized; the nominate subspecies, Ara ambiguus ssp. ambiguus, occurs from Honduras to Colombia, while Ara ambiguus ssp. guayaquilensis appears to be endemic to remnants of dry forests on the southern Pacific coast of Ecuador. The nominate subspecies lives in the canopy of wet tropical forests and in Costa Rica is usually associated with the almendro tree, Dipteryx oleifera.
Region
Central America to northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily from eastern Honduras and Nicaragua through Costa Rica and Panama into northern Colombia, and in a separate population in southwestern coastal Ecuador. It primarily inhabits the canopy of lowland and foothill wet tropical forests, using mature trees for nesting cavities. In Costa Rica it is closely associated with almendro (Dipteryx) for feeding and nesting. It may use forest edges, riverine forests, and mosaic landscapes with remnant large trees when primary forest is scarce.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called Buffon's macaw or great military macaw, it depends heavily on large old-growth trees for nesting and key food trees such as almendro (Dipteryx spp.). Two subspecies are recognized: A. a. ambiguus from Honduras to Colombia and A. a. guayaquilensis in coastal southwestern Ecuador. Habitat loss, logging of nest/food trees, and trapping have caused severe declines. It plays an important role as a seed disperser in tropical forests.
Male great green macaw in a cage
A great green macaw eating an acorn in Honduras
Macaws in flight
Riverine habitat in Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge.
Temperament
social and noisy
Flight Pattern
powerful, direct flight with strong wingbeats; occasional soaring
Social Behavior
Usually seen in bonded pairs or small family groups, sometimes forming larger flocks at roosts or abundant fruiting trees. Strong, long-term pair bonds; nests in large tree cavities high in the canopy. Breeding success is tightly linked to availability of large old trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, raucous, and far-carrying, often a repeated kraaak or raaahk. Calls are given in flight and at feeding sites, with softer grunts and chatters between paired birds.
