Their loud and thundering voices are filled with authority.
"Even moving from branch to branch in the treetops," they seem arrogant and proud as emperors." 
 

Although Macaw, is the common name for any of 15 
species of these large, long-tailed birds found throughout 
Central and South America,  two species are most prevalent
in Costa Rica: However, on rare occasions, you can see the
great  yellow and blue Macaws, as well as the deep blue
Macaws!

The Scarlet Macaw,(lapa roja) and the Great 
Green or Buffon's Macaw, (lapa verde) are the most 
prevalent in Costa Rica.

The Scarlet Macaw

Though the Scarlet Macaw ranges from Mexico to Central, 
and South America and was once abundant on both coasts,
of  Costa  Rica, today, it is found only in a few parks on the
Pacific shore and rarely on the Caribbean side, especially near  Tortugero,  which is the home of the Buffon's Macaw.  Both bird  populations, are losing their homes to deforestation and 
poaching.

Sixteen species of Macaws inhabit tropical forests from
Central Mexico to Northern Argentina, distinguished among the
world's 340 parrot species, by their long tails and huge beaks.
Eight are considered large, the others weigh a pound or less.

Nine are endangered or  threatened, and Spinx's Macaw of 
Brazil, may soon be extinct in the wild.

The brilliant color of the Scarlet Macaw is hard to resist for
any bird lover and contrasts with the dramatic white of it's face. 
These charming birds actually "blush" when excited.  The Scarlet  Macaws are arguably  the most  widely sold Macaws in Aviculture   today.  There are three subspecies of Scarlet Macaw:  They are
the "South American", "Central American" and "Mexican" Scarlet's.
 

Blue & Gold Macaws are some of the larger birds of the Macaw  family.  They are highly intelligent and active birds.  They make  wonderful companions.   These grandiose birds have exquisite,  brilliant  coloring and are as curious, frisky and flirtatious as
puppies or kittens.

They are excellent talkers and most have extensive 
vocabularies.  Blue and Gold Macaws interact well with the 
entire family.  Most enjoy cuddling or resting on their backs
in  your  arms.

 

Macaws' intelligence ranks them among birds,
as chimpanzees rank among apes.

The  Scarlet  Macaw  population,  has declined so dramatically
that  it is now in  danger of disappearing completely.  There are
only  three  wild  populations in Central America, that have a
long-term  chance of  survival at  Carara Biological Reserve and Corcovado in  Costa  Rica and Coiba Island in Panama, although Scarlet  Macaws... can also be seen with regularity, at Palo Verde National  Park, Santa Rosa National Park and other  forested
parts of  the  Gulf of Nicoya and Osa Peninsula.

There are an estimated 200 Scarlets at Carara and 1,600 at  Corcovado, where as many as 40, may be seen at one time.

As they  fly overhead, calling loudly, their long, trailing tail 
feathers and short  wings, make it impossible to confuse them
with other birds.  They are gregarious and rarely seen alone. 
 

Macaws
Mating and Nesting & Baby Macaws!
Mating & Nesting, Baby Macaws! Males and Females,
Courtship, eggs, Life Span.
 

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