The Great Green Macaws are also known as Buffon’s or Great Military Macaws (Ara ambiguus formerly ambigua).
As is suggested by their common name, these large macaws are predominantly green – however, with some very attractive, bright plumage highlights.
They were previously treated as subspecies (Ara military ambigua) of the smaller Military Macaws (Ara militaris) based on hybridization of these two species in areas where their ranges overlap and physical similarities.
However, these species have now been separated.
This species was previously widespread in Central and northern South America, but deforestation and destruction of their natural habitat has taken their toll on this species.
Considerable declines in their numbers have been noted after large areas of primary forests were wiped out to make room for banana plantations. This species is highly dependent on the Mountain Almond Tree (Dipteryx panamensis) both for nesting as well as a source of food.
There are a couple of factors that caused severe declines in the number of these trees. There is a great demand for them in the construction industry since it was discovered that the wood of this tree is very hard (one of the densest in the world) and is resistant to salt water and, unlike other woods, does not rot away when exposed to salt water.
The wood was also used to build fancy furniture with. Over 70% (in some areas 90% or more) of their original habitat has been destroyed and these macaws are now treated as globally Endangered.
Captive birds are sometimes seen, but they are very rarely seen as pets, even though they are said to be calmer than many of the better known and more common macaws.
Thanks to their mostly green plumage, they have never been sought out as pets and were, therefore, not heavily poached.
Unfortunately, this has changed when this species became very rare and endangered and peaked the interests of collectors, who were willing to pay thousands of dollars for one of these birds.
Conservation and legal measures have been put into place to protect these gems, but much more needs to be done to ensure their long-term survival.
Their life expectancy is about 60 years.
Distribution / Habitat
Buffons Macaws occur naturally in Central America – from Easternmost Honduras south through Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama – into South America, where they are found in western Colombia and parts of Ecuador in areas where large tracts of intact forest remain.
Status: The global population is estimated to consist of less than 3,700 birds, most of which (less than 2,500) are found in Darién, north-west Colombia (O. Jahn in litt. 2004 and 2005).
In Honduras, these birds are found near the río Plátano; however, they are rare sights.
In Nicaragua, they are found in the Bosawas Reserve and the Indio-Maíz and San Juan Reserve.
In Costa Rica, they were formerly quite common along the Atlantic coast; however, these birds are now limited to the Northern zone, between the San Carlos, San Juan and Sarapigui rivers to the northern foothills of the Central Volcanoes range, where they usually remain below 1970 feet (600 meters).
Status: In 2009, the combined population of Nicaragua and Costa Rica was estimated at 1,530 birds. In Costa Rica, less than 40 breeding pairs are believed to still have survived.
In Panama, they are locally fairly common on the Caribbean slope and in Darién near Cana, Alturas de Nique; Serranía de Majé and south Cerro Hoya in the province of Veraguas on the southern tip of the Azuero Peninsula.
In Colombia, their range stretches from north of the Serranía de Baudó and the West Andes, east to the upper Sinú valley.
In Ecuador, most of them are found in Esmeraldas (Benítez 2002), and only a few of them remain in the Cordillera de Chongón-Colonche, Guayas.
Status: In 2012, only about 30 – 40 individuals were believed to still exist in Ecuador (E. Horstman in litt. 2012).
They inhabit humid lowland rainforests and foothill forests at elevations of up 3,280 feet (1,000 meters). These birds usually remain in the canopy of tall trees. However, they may feed in more open areas.
Seasonal movements towards the coasts – in response to availability of fruiting trees – have been recorded. For breeding, they usually move inland.
Outside the breeding season, they are usually seen in small groups of up to 50 individuals. When getting ready to nest or raising young, they are usually seen in pairs.
Subspecies, Ranges and Identification:
Two isolated subspecies are recognized:
- Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus ambiguus – Bechstein, 1811) – Nominate form
- Range: From Central America (eastern Honduras and Nicaragua, to Costa Rica and Panama) south into north-west Colombia in South America.
- Ecuadorian Buffon’s or Guayaquil Macaw(Ara ambiguus guayaquilensis – Chapman, 1925)
- Range: South America: Western Ecuador, where they are only found in one single area near the city of Guayaquil; and possibly in south-western Colombia.
- ID: Green tail feathers and smaller, narrower bill. Otherwise identical to nominate form.
Description
Size
Buffons Macaws are the largest parrots in their natural range. They measure about 30 – 35.4 inches (77 – 90 cm) in length – including their long tails; and they weigh between 2.8 – 3.1 lbs (1,260 – 1,400 g).
Plumage Details / Adults
The upper plumage is yellowish green, including the crown (top of the head) and the upperwing coverts (feathers). The forehead and the fine lines on the lores (area between the bill and the eyes) are red. The rump, the vent and the upper tail coverts (feathers) are blue. The flight feathers are darker blue. The throat is tinged with olive/brown. The long, graduated tail is orange-red with pale blue tips; the undertail feathers are olive-green.
Other Physical Details
The bill is blackish with a pale grey tip. The bare face is pinkish/white with fine lines of olive-brown to reddish feathering. The eyes are pale yellow with pinkish-white eye-rings. The legs and feet are dark grey.
Gender ID
Males and females look alike, except in some females (and older birds) the fine feather lines on the bare face may be more reddish in color.
Juvenile Description
Immature birds resemble the adults; except they have a more olive-green tinge in their plumage. Their tails are shorter and tipped with yellow. Their eyes are grey.
Similar Species
Adult birds resemble the Military Macaw, (Ara military); however, the Buffons Macaw is larger and their green plumage is paler than that of the Military Macaw.
Flight
These large parrots are able to fly long distances at considerable heights. Their flight is described as rapid and direct, with shallow, steady wing beats.
Diet / Feeding
Great Green Macaws feed on various seeds, fruits, hard-shelled nuts and flowers. Their principal food source is the fruit of the Swamp Almond Tree (Dipteryx panamensis). One pair in Ecuador was observed to mostly feed on orchids, which made up about 71% of their diet (Lopez-Lanus 1999). They have large, strong beaks that enable them to crack open even the hardest nuts to retrieve the seeds inside. They usually forage in small family groups.
Breeding / Nesting
The breeding season varies by location. Populations occurring in Ecuador generally breed between June and November.
They usually nest in the cavities of dead trees, such as Cuipo Trees (Cavanillesia plantanifolia) or Mountain Almond Trees (Dipteryx panamensis).
The average clutch consists of 2 – 3 white eggs, which are incubated by the female for about 26 days to hatching. Hatchlings are blind, naked and completely dependent on parental care; they weigh about 0.8 oz (23 g)
The chicks are fed by both parents and leave the nest when they are about 12 – 13 weeks old. By the time they fledge, they usually weigh between 32.5 – 34.5 oz (930 – 985 g)
Captive Breeding
Buffons Macaws are only recommended for experienced breeders and handlers. They are quieter than other macaws and can be kept with other large macaws when not breeding.
Breeding pairs require large flights that are at least 50 feet (15 meters) long. These parrots are not suited for housing indoors.
Strong, fresh branches of pine or eucalyptus should be provided weekly. They require large nest boxes of the approximate size of a whiskey barrel.
Their diet should include …
- nutritionally complete kibble for macaws
- soaked or sprouted sunflower seed, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, Brazil nuts and pine nuts
- fresh corn, cooked maize; fruits – such as banana, apples and oranges
- cubes of cheese
- wholewheat bread.
Overhead misters are recommended to maintain the plumage in good condition. For entertainment and beak condition, plenty of fresh wood and / or chewable toys should be available at all times.
Calls / Vocalizations / Sounds
Their calls are described as loud, raucous squawks and growling “aowrk” when feeding. They also emit creaking or groaning sounds.
Alternate (Global) Names
Chinese: ?????? … Czech: Ara zelený … Danish: Stor Soldaterara … Dutch: Buffon-ara, Buffons Ara … Estonian: suur-soldataara … Finnish: Panamanara … French: Ara de Buffon, Grand Ara vert … German: Bechsteinara, Bechstein-Ara, Grosser Soldatenara … Italian: Ara di Buffon, Ara verde … Japanese: hiwakongouinko … Norwegian: Gladiatorara, Soldatara, Stor soldatara … Polish: ara oliwkowa … Russian: ?????????? ??? … Slovak: ara olivová … Spanish: Guacamaya Verdelimón, Guacamayo Ambiguo, Guacamayo de Cara Blanca, Guacamayo verde mayor, Guara verde, Lapa Verde … Swedish: Större soldatara
