Birds Active during the day

Red-shouldered Macaw

Diopsittaca nobilis

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Meet the world's smallest macaw: a pint-sized powerhouse of green feathers and fiery red accents. The Red-shouldered Macaw brings all the charisma of the rainforest right into the suburban backyard.

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Quick Identification

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Size

30 cm (12 in) in length; weighs approximately 130-170 g (4.6-6 oz)

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Colors

Mainly bright green plumage with distinctive red feathers on the bend of the wing (the shoulders) and underwing coverts; white bare skin patch around the eyes; dark grey to horn-colored beak.

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Key Features

Bright red 'shoulder' patches on the wing bend
Smallest macaw species in the world
Large white featherless patch surrounding the eye
Pointed tail and slender, parakeet-like silhouette

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6:30-9:30 AM, 3:30-6:00 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A varied diet of seeds, nuts, fruits, and berries; they are particularly fond of palm nuts and can often be found at clay licks to supplement their mineral intake.

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Habitat Open woodlands, savannahs, palm groves, forest edges, and increasingly adapted to suburban parks and gardens.

Behavior

The Red-shouldered Macaw is an exceptionally social and high-energy bird. Often found in pairs or small, boisterous flocks, they spend much of their day foraging in the canopy or flying between feeding sites. They are known for being extremely vocal, maintaining constant communication with their group through a series of loud, rasping screeches that can be heard from a significant distance.

In the wild, they are cautious but curious, often investigating new food sources or potential nesting sites in hollow trees or palm snags. When interacting with humans in suburban environments, they can become quite bold, especially if a reliable food source like a bird feeder or a fruiting garden is present. Their intelligence is evident in their complex social play and their ability to solve puzzles to reach food.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Red-shouldered Macaw on camera, height is your best friend. These birds prefer to stay in the upper strata of trees, so mounting your AI-powered camera 10 to 15 feet high on a sturdy branch or a specialized pole will yield the best results. If you are using a backyard setup, position the camera to overlook a high-platform feeder or a tall birdbath, as they are cautious about descending to ground level.

Lighting is crucial for capturing the vibrant greens and the signature red 'shoulders.' Try to angle your camera with the morning sun behind it to illuminate the bird's plumage as they arrive for their first feed of the day. Using a fast trigger speed or high-frame-rate video is highly recommended, as these macaws move quickly and are prone to sudden, erratic flights when startled or excited.

If you live in a region where they are common, baiting with large sunflower seeds, walnuts, or tropical fruits like mango and papaya can keep them in the camera's field of view for longer periods. During the drier months, a dripping water feature at an elevated position is an almost irresistible lure. Set your camera for 'burst mode' to capture the social interactions between pairs, which often involve mutual preening or playful beak-sparring.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Red-shouldered Macaw.

Blue-crowned Parakeet

Lacks the red shoulder patches and has a blue-tinted forehead and crown.

Mitred Parakeet

Features extensive red splotches on the face and forehead, rather than just on the bend of the wing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Red-shouldered Macaws are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon. They typically spend the middle of the day resting in the shade of dense foliage to avoid the peak tropical heat.

The best way to attract them is by providing elevated feeders with sunflower seeds and nuts, or by planting native fruit-bearing trees like palms and guavas. They are also highly attracted to elevated water sources for bathing.

Their diet primarily consists of seeds, nuts, and fruits. In the wild, they rely heavily on palm nuts, but in backyard settings, they will happily accept a variety of bird-safe fruits and high-quality seed mixes.

Yes, they are quite adaptable and are frequently found in suburban areas, city parks, and gardens throughout Brazil and Venezuela, especially where mature trees provide nesting and foraging opportunities.

Look for the bright red 'shoulders' on the bend of the wing and the large, bare white patch around the eye. Most similar-looking parakeets lack the white facial skin and the specific red wing markings of the macaw.

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