Ara ambiguus ambiguus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Great green macaw
French : Ara de Buffon

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
One of the largest macaw species reaching 90 cm in length for a weight of 1.4 kg. Very large bill, long orange-red tail. Red forehead, yellow-green plumage. Similar to A. militaris but bigger and with yellow tinge to green.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in Central America, from Honduras to north-west Colombia. Species also found in western Ecuador (Esmeraldas and Guayas). Lives in humid lowland forest, deciduous forests, up to 1000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is alarmingly declining because of habitat loss and cutting of Dipteryx trees for timber. Still trapped and hunted locally.
Ex-Situ Programs : EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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