Great Green Macaw

The Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) is one of the largest parrots in Central America. It is recognized by its bright green plumage and its large blue-red tail feathers. It can have a wingspan of up to one meter and can live up to 50 years.

It is mainly found in the tropical rainforests of Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, and northern Colombia.

The species is classified Endangered (EN) by the IUCN. Like Hyacinth macaws, they are victims of deforestation, habitat fragmentation and the illegal trade in exotic birds. This status of concern makes it a priority species for many conservation programs.

The Great Green Macaw feeds mainly on seeds, fruits, nuts and young shoots. Its powerful beak allows it to break the hardest shells. It thus plays an essential ecological role by participating in the dispersal of seeds in the canopy.

It is a sociable bird that lives in small groups or couples, often very active and noisy. It likes large, hollow trees, where it nests several meters high to protect its eggs and its young. Females usually lay 2 to 3 eggs, which are incubated for about a month. The young remain in the nest for several weeks before taking off.  

At the Guadeloupe Zoo, the Great Green Macaw is presented in the tropical bird zone, alongside the Blue and yellow macaw And of theCuban Amazon. Its presence contributes to raising public awareness about the preservation of endangered species.