Illiger’s Macaw

Ara illigeri South America • Mini-Macaw

IUCN Status

Least Concern

The Illiger’s Macaw (Ara illigeri), also known as the Blue-winged Macaw, is a beautiful and lively mini-macaw. It features a rich emerald-green body, striking bright blue wings and tail, and a distinctive red forehead and upper wing coverts. Smaller and more manageable than the large macaws, Illiger’s Macaws are known for their playful, affectionate personality, bold curiosity, and relatively quiet nature. They make excellent companions for keepers who want macaw intelligence and charm in a more compact size.

General Description

Common Name	Illiger’s Macaw (Blue-winged Macaw)
Latin Name	Ara illigeri
Family	Psittacidae • Macaws
Adult Size	38–43 cm (15–17 in)
Weight	240–300 g
Life Span	30–50+ years in captivity
Sexual Maturity	3–5 years
Clutch Size	2–4 eggs
Gender Difference	No reliable visual sexual dimorphism. Males are slightly larger; DNA testing is required.
Natural Habitat	Palm groves, savanna woodlands, gallery forests, and forest edges.
Origin / Range	South America: eastern Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
Care Level	Intermediate to Advanced • Smaller macaw, more manageable than large species

Ara illigeri • Adult showing red forehead and blue wings

BEAUTIFUL MINI MACAW • PLAYFUL & AFFECTIONATE

Plumage & Features

Illiger’s Macaw is primarily bright emerald-green with a bold red patch on the forehead and leading edge of the wings. The wings and long tail show striking turquoise-blue, especially visible when the bird is in flight. It has a small bare white facial patch, a black beak, and dark eyes. The red on the forehead and “shoulders” is the most distinctive feature that sets it apart from other green macaws.

There are no recognised subspecies. Juveniles have less red on the forehead and duller overall coloration that brightens as they mature.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List) — CITES Appendix II

Ara Genus

South America

Beautiful Mini Macaw