Macaws are large parrots in many colors and sizes, some larger than others.
While the most common macaws are known for their brilliant green feathers, there are also blue and yellow macaws and different types from South America, Australia, Africa, and more!
Look at how many different types of macaws exist worldwide by scrolling down to see pictures of every kind of bird in this nifty infographic!
How Many Types of Macaws Are There?
There are 18 types of macaws in this article, and under this section is a brief explanation
Different Types of Macaws
1. Scarlet Macaw
The Scarlet Macaw is one type of Macaw with a bright red, blue, and yellow beak. This large parrot is the largest living species in the parrot family, weighing 1.8kg to 2.6kg.
These different types of macaws can live up to 80 years in captivity but only 25-30 years in the wild because they are hunted for food, and their feathers are used for decoration.
The Scarlet Macaw is most common in Central America, South America, and Mexico but can also be found in Amazonia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
2. Spix’s Macaw
Spix’s Macaw is the only one of the six with a redhead. These different types of macaws are among the rarest birds worldwide and have been extinct in the wild since 2000.
The only place they still exist is in captivity, but there are less than 300 left on earth. This makes them a very endangered species. Sadly, there are many other types of macaws, too.
3. Hyacinth Macaw
The Hyacinth macaw is the largest living parrot species and the heaviest flying bird. It is a striking blue color with a bright yellow, featherless face. They are native to forests in South America.
The Hyacinth macaw eats mainly fruit, palm nuts, and seeds from the cecropia tree. These different types of macaws live for about 80 years in captivity and nearly 50 years in the wild.
4. Blue and Yellow Macaw
A Blue and Yellow Macaw usually fits this description best if you’re searching for a parrot with a more conventional appearance in the sense of what a pirate parrot looks like.
A Blue and Yellow Macaw is 2.5 to 3 feet long, weighs between 2 and 2.5 pounds, and has a blue and yellow appearance.
These different types of macaws must be raised appropriately because of their size. Ensure you take the time required to clean up after them frequently and have everything available.
Otherwise, given their size, you risk their making a colossal mess. Their natural habitat is South and Central America; they usually live for 30 to 35 years.
5. Red and Green Macaw
The Red and Green Macaw is the largest macaw species, reaching up to thirty inches. It’s also the heaviest, ranging from 3 to 4 pounds.
The Red and Green Macaw has a dark red head and body, bright green wings, and tail feathers.
The underside is white, including the face. Adults have yellow irises, while juveniles are brown or gray.
These different macaws are found in south-central Mexico (in particular, Jalisco), Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
6. Red-Shouldered Macaw
The red-shouldered Macaw is native to Central America, including Mexico. It can be found in the rainforests, mangrove swamps, and lowland forests near the coast. The red-shouldered Macaw prefers to live near streams or rivers.
These different types of macaws typically live in groups of 2-5 adults and 1-3 chicks still too young to fly.
This type of Macaw is endangered because it has a relatively small population and range, with few places left where its habitat exists.
7. Military Macaw
The Military Macaw is an endangered species found in the rainforests of northern Columbia. The bird has beautiful blue and red plumage, a black beak, and a green crown with a distinctive white ring around its eye.
The Military Macaw can grow up to 42 inches long, weigh up to 4 pounds, and have a wingspan that reaches 70 inches. It is one of the most giant macaws in the world.
8. Blue-Throated Macaw
The blue-throated Macaw is a large, long-tailed parrot with a yellow-blue throat and a yellow head. The average length of the blue-throated Macaw is 47 inches, with a wingspan measuring up to 78 inches.
These different types of macaws weigh between 2.6 and 3 pounds on average. They can live up to 60 years in captivity, but their lifespan in the wild is unknown. The blue-throated Macaw is native to the rainforests of Brazil and Bolivia.
9. Chestnut-Fronted Macaw
The Chestnut-Fronted Macaw is a medium-sized, primarily green parrot with a yellow forehead and cheeks, blue rings around the eyes, and red patches on the sides of its head.
It has a long tail with scalloped edges. Its upper mandible is pinkish-white, and its lower mandible is black.
These different types of macaws produce a variety of vocalizations; it is also capable of mimicking human speech to some degree.
The Chestnut-Fronted Macaw inhabits humid rainforests in lowland Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Guyana
10. Great Green Macaw
They are indigenous throughout South America, including Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Even though Great Green Macaws typically live for 50 years, some can live as long as 70 years, making them a fantastic parrot to consider adopting.
These different macaws are enormous, measuring around 3 feet long and weighing about 3 pounds.
A Great Green Macaw will often be found in pairs and family groups of three if you locate one in the wild. They enjoy the company of other parrots, so if you have the resources, make sure they have a companion.
11. Blue-Winged Macaw
The blue-winged Macaw is a large, long-tailed arboreal parrot native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.
The Macaw’s coloration can vary greatly depending on its region. However, it can be found in green, blue, and red.
These different types of macaws are about 30 inches long and weigh around 3 pounds, with an average lifespan of 60 years in captivity.
This type of Macaw is a boisterous bird that loves to chew anything from wood to furniture! Their diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, fruits, and palm kernels, but they will occasionally eat some vegetables like carrots or corn.
12. Lear’s Macaw
The Lear’s Macaw, often called the Indigo Macaw, is a dark blue parrot indigenous to Brazil and has a more appealing appearance than other Macaws.
These different macaws often reside in shrublands and are found in big groups because they form colonies.
Depending on your age, they can be a nearly lifetime mate because they often live for 50 years. In addition to their midnight blue appearance, they are about 2.5 to 3 feet long and weigh 2 to 2.5 pounds.
In terms of temperament, Lear’s Macaws are loud, brash birds who adore spending time with their owners. However, be aware that you will likely encounter various problems if you can’t dedicate a reasonable amount of time to them.
13. Red-Fronted Macaw
The red-fronted Macaw (Orthopsittaca manilata) is a parrot native to Central and South America. The average lifespan for this bird is about 40 years.
These different types of macaws are medium-sized birds with a body length that ranges from 33 to 41 centimeters and a tail that can be as long as 25 centimeters.
They have a wingspan of up to 64 centimeters. However, these different types of macaws have an appearance that makes them look larger than they are, thanks to their long tail feathers.
Their plumage is primarily blue, green, and red, with some white on the undersides of their wings and thighs. They also have bright yellow facial markings around their eyes and foreheads.
14. Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw is an endangered species in Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru. It’s a pale blue bird with a giant wingspan.
They are found in humid lowland forests, swamps, and mangrove forests. The Aztec Indians called them the Blue-and-White Bird.
The Glaucous Macaw has become popular among bird lovers who want to see them in person because they are rare.
Visitors can see the Glaucous Macaw at Parque Nacional de Los Nevados or the American embassy in Bogota, Colombia. The Glaucous Macaw is also known by its scientific name, Ara glaucus.
15. Golden-collared Macaw
When it comes to a Golden-collared Macaw, remember that people often become curious whenever they hear the word “gold.”
They are a great option in parrots because their body is almost entirely green with a gold collar.
They originate from Central America and are typically smaller than most Macaws. They are among the most miniature Macaws, measuring around 15 inches long and weighing 8 to 10 ounces.
These different types of macaws live roughly the same 50 years despite being smaller than most. Golden-collared Macaws are friendly and playful birds with a penchant for getting involved in things that pique their curiosity.
16. Red-Bellied Macaw
The Red-bellied Macaw (Ara manilata) is a large, long-tailed macaw that lives in South America’s rainforests and dry forests. It gets its name from the red feathers on its belly and lower chest.
17. Blue-Headed Macaw
The blue-headed Macaw can be found in the eastern portion of the Amazon Basin, including Brazil. These different macaws are often found near rivers and lakes and are typically seen in groups of around ten birds.
The blue-headed Macaw is about two feet long and has a wingspan that is three feet wide. As an omnivore, this species feeds on fruits, nuts, seeds, blossoms, and arthropods. They live to be about 60 years old in captivity.
18. Cuban Macaw
The Cuban Macaw is one of the largest and most colorful macaws. A few years ago, it was listed as critically endangered.
Today, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as vulnerable species.
These different macaws were hunted to extinction in their native Cuba because they were an important food source for indigenous people and colonists who arrived from Europe.
The Cuban Macaw strongly prefers palm nuts and other forest fruit but will eat seeds, leaves, flowers, and small animals.
