Creature Feature Encyclopedia: Aves

Military Macaw Ara militaris

Macaws are the largest of all parrots. The brightly colored military macaws are especially noisy. Macaws have long, pointed wings that enable them to fly swiftly. Their sharp, hooked bills are perfect for eating nuts, fruits, and seeds. Macaws have feet with a very strong grip. Two of their toes point forward and two point backward. They can use one of their feet to grasp food and bring it to their mouths. Macaws can be found in Central and South America. However, along with other rare kinds of macaws, the military macaw must retreat into shrinking pockets of undisturbed rainforest to escape capture by humans.

~A Walk in the Rainforest © 1992