Ara (bird)
Neotropical macaw genus with eight living and at least two extinct species.
Ara is a Neotropical genus of macaws that includes eight living species and at least two that have become extinct in modern times. The genus was established in 1799 by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacépède, and its name comes from the Tupi word *ará*, an onomatopoeic term based on the sound of a macaw’s call. Ara belongs to the tribe Arini, the group of Neotropical parrots. Members of this genus are large, visually striking birds with long tails, long narrow wings, and vividly colored plumage. A distinctive feature is the bare patch of skin around the eye, which in most species is covered with minute, patterned feathers, though the scarlet macaw’s patch is completely bare. Males and females share similar plumage, and juveniles resemble adults, though sometimes with duller tones. The birds range in size from the chestnut-fronted macaw, which weighs about 285 to 287 grams, to the much larger green-winged macaw. Their beaks are powerful and downward-curved, typically black except in the scarlet and green-winged macaws, where the upper mandible is horn-colored. Ara macaws are found across the Neotropics from Mexico to Argentina, with the Amazon Basin and the Panama–Colombia border region being central to their distribution. The scarlet macaw is the most widespread, inhabiting humid rainforests, open woodlands, and savannahs, while others like the blue-throated and red-fronted macaws have very restricted ranges in Bolivia. These birds generally require large trees for food and nesting, and they may move locally with seasonal food availability. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and fruit, and they are seed predators, using their strong beaks to crack hard shells. Many Ara species are popular in the pet trade, and smuggling poses a significant threat to several of them.
- Number of extant species
- 8
Lore & Background
The genus name comes from the Tupi word ará, an onomatopoeia of the macaw's call. For many years the genus contained additional species, but it was later split to create three other genera: Orthopsittaca, Primolius, and Diopsittaca. Orthopsittaca and Diopsittaca are monotypic and morphologically and behaviorally distinct, while the three Primolius macaws are green and smaller. They have long narrow wings, a massive downward-curved upper mandible, and a pale skin patch around the eye that extends to the base of the beak. This patch typically bears minute feathers arranged in lines, though some species have largely bare skin. Plumage is spectacular: among the eight extant species, three are predominantly green, three are mostly red, one is mostly blue and yellow, and one is mostly blue and gold. The extinct Cuban macaw was predominantly red, and the Saint Croix macaw is another known extinct species. There is no sexual dimorphism in plumage.
Reader's Guide
The genus Ara is significant as a prominent group of Neotropical parrots that includes some of the most recognizable and charismatic macaws. Its members are large, vividly colored, and have long been popular in the pet trade, which has also made them vulnerable to smuggling. The genus has a wide distribution from Mexico to Argentina, with the Amazon Basin and the Panama–Colombia border region as centers of diversity. Seven species occur in Bolivia, but no single locality has more than four. The scarlet macaw is the most widespread, while the blue-throated and red-fronted macaws have tiny distributions in Bolivia. Human activities have reduced the overall range of many species. Several hypothetical extinct species have been proposed based on scant evidence, but their validity is uncertain. Ara macaws are cavity nesters, feeding mainly on seeds and fruit, and they are seed predators rather than dispersers. Their adaptability varies, but all require large trees for food and breeding. The legacy of Ara includes both living icons of tropical avifauna and cautionary examples of extinction driven by human activity.
Did You Know?
- The genus name Ara comes from the Tupi word ará, an onomatopoeia of the macaw's call.
- The Saint Croix macaw is known only from subfossil remains and is one of at least two extinct species in the genus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ara (bird)?
Ara is a Neotropical genus of large macaws that includes eight living species and at least two that have gone extinct. They belong to the macaw tribe Arini and are among the most visually striking parrots in the world.
How many species are in the Ara genus?
There are eight extant Ara species, plus at least two that are now considered extinct.
What do Ara macaws look like?
These macaws are large birds with long tails, narrow wings, and vividly colored plumage. A defining feature is the bare patch of skin around the eye area.
Where are Ara macaws native to?
Ara macaws are Neotropical, meaning their natural range is the tropical regions of the Americas.
Are Ara macaws at risk in the wild?
Several species within the genus face ongoing pressure from illegal smuggling and the pet trade, which threatens their populations in the wild.
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