Birds Daytime

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Scarlet Macaw is a living masterpiece of the tropical canopy, boasting a brilliant palette of primary colors and an intelligence that rivals the world's smartest animals.

17 Sightings

3 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 81–96 cm (32–38 in); Wingspan: 100–120 cm (39–47 in); Weight: 1 kg (2.2 lbs)

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Colors

Brilliant scarlet red body; yellow wing coverts; blue flight feathers and rump; bare white facial skin

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Key Features

Bright yellow band across the mid-wing
Extremely long, pointed red and blue tail
Large, powerful hooked beak with a pale upper mandible
Bare white skin patch around the eyes without feather lines

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily a granivore and frugivore; eats seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, and occasionally nectar or flowers.

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Habitat Humid evergreen forests, tropical woodlands, and forest edges; often found near rivers.

Sightings on EverydayEarth

Macaw Feeder Low Cam

May 2, 2026

A Scarlet Macaw perches on a large tree limb in the upper right of the frame. The bird is active, turning its head to look around the forest and shifting its position on the branch, displaying its brilliant multi-colored plumage.

Macaw Feeder Low Cam

Apr 24, 2026

A vibrant Scarlet Macaw is perched on a hanging wooden feeder, sifting through a tray of fruit and seeds. The bird remains alert, frequently pausing its feeding to look around the lush tropical environment, while the loud calls of other macaws echo in the background.

Macaw Feeder Low Cam

Apr 22, 2026

Two vibrant Scarlet Macaws are perched in the canopy of a large tree. One is clearly visible on a branch to the left, turning its head and shifting its weight, while a second individual is partially obscured nearby. They appear alert and active in the morning light.

Macaw Feeder Low Cam

Apr 21, 2026

A Scarlet Macaw is perched on a hanging wooden feeder tray. The bird is actively feeding, using its foot to hold a piece of food and bring it to its beak, a characteristic behavior of the species. The background shows a lush, sun-dappled forest environment.

Macaw Feeder Low Cam

Apr 17, 2026

Two Scarlet Macaws are seen on a wooden feeder platform high in a tree. One bird moves along the length of the feeder while the other remains relatively still, both observing the surrounding lush tropical environment.

Macaw Feeder Low Cam

Apr 17, 2026

A Scarlet Macaw is perched on a wooden platform feeder nestled within the branches of a large tree. The bird shifts its weight and turns its head, looking around the forest canopy while its long tail feathers hang below the platform.

Behavior

Scarlet Macaws are incredibly social and intelligent birds, often seen flying in pairs or small family groups. They are famous for their lifelong pair bonds; once they find a mate, they are rarely seen apart, even flying so close together that their wingtips almost touch. They communicate with a variety of loud, raucous screeches and squawks that can carry for miles through the dense jungle canopy.

In the wild, they spend much of their day foraging for food, using their powerful beaks as a 'third hand' to climb branches and crack open the toughest nuts. While they are wary of predators, they can become quite bold around humans if they feel safe, particularly in areas where they are protected or accustomed to supplemental feeding. They are also known to visit 'clay licks'—exposed riverbanks where they eat mineral-rich soil to neutralize toxins in their diet.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing a Scarlet Macaw on a trail camera requires a bit of elevation. Since these birds are primarily arboreal, a ground-level camera is unlikely to see much action unless it is pointed at a known water source or a fallen fruit tree. For the best results, mount your camera 10 to 15 feet high on a tree trunk or a sturdy pole, angled slightly downward toward a known feeding branch or a platform feeder stocked with tropical fruits like papaya or mango.

Because Macaws are fast flyers and highly active when feeding, camera settings are crucial. Use a camera with a lightning-fast trigger speed (0.3 seconds or less) to catch them as they land. If your camera supports it, opt for a high shutter speed to freeze the motion of those vibrant wings; otherwise, you may end up with a blurry red streak. Setting the camera to take 'burst' photos (3-5 frames per trigger) is the best way to ensure you get a perfectly composed shot of their profile.

Lighting is your best friend when photographing these birds. Their plumage is exceptionally reflective, so aim your camera toward the east or west to catch the golden hour light in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid pointing the lens directly into the sun, as the high contrast can wash out the brilliant yellows and reds. If you are in a backyard setting, planting native trees like the Beach Almond (Terminalia catappa) is a surefire way to bring them within range of your lens year-round.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Scarlet Macaw.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Features a teal-blue back and wings with a bright yellow underside, lacking the Scarlet's dominant red plumage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Scarlet Macaws are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon. They spend these peak hours foraging for food and traveling between their roosting sites and feeding grounds.

The best way to attract them is by planting native fruit and nut-bearing trees, such as Wild Almond or various palm species. In some regions, providing a high-platform feeder with fresh tropical fruits can also entice them to visit.

Their diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, and fruits. They have incredibly strong beaks designed to crack open hard shells that other birds cannot, allowing them to access high-fat energy sources like palm nuts.

In their native range, they are occasionally seen in suburban areas that have retained large, mature trees or are located near forest corridors. However, they generally prefer the cover of dense tropical forests.

Look at the wings: Scarlet Macaws have a bright yellow band of feathers, while Green-winged Macaws have green feathers in that same area. Additionally, Scarlets have a clean, bare white face, whereas Green-winged Macaws have tiny lines of red feathers across their cheeks.

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