Military Macaw
Ara militaris
Mexico to South America • Foothill Specialist
IUCN Status
Vulnerable
The Military Macaw (Ara militaris) is a large, striking macaw known for its predominantly olive-green plumage with bright red forehead and turquoise-blue flight feathers. It is one of the more “natural-looking” macaws, blending beautifully into the canopy of its foothill forest habitat. Although slightly smaller than the Buffon’s Macaw, it shares the same powerful build, loud voice, and intelligent, playful personality.
General Description
| Common Name | Military Macaw |
| Latin Name | Ara militaris |
| Family | Psittacidae • Macaws |
| Adult Size | 70–80 cm (28–31 in) |
| Weight | 900–1,300 g (2–2.9 lb) |
| Life Span | 45–60+ years in captivity |
| Sexual Maturity | 4–6 years |
| Clutch Size | 2–4 eggs |
| Gender Difference | No reliable visual sexual dimorphism. Males are usually slightly larger; DNA testing is required. |
| Natural Habitat | Foothill and subtropical forests, dry forests, and woodland edges from sea level up to 2,500 m. |
| Origin / Range | Disjunct populations from western Mexico through Central America to northern South America. |
| Care Level | Advanced • Needs large space and experienced keeper |
Ara militaris • Adult showing red forehead and green body
FOOTHILL SPECIALIST • STRIKING GREEN MACAW
Subspecies & Plumage
Three subspecies are currently recognised. They differ mainly in size, intensity of green plumage, and subtle throat colour variations:
| Subspecies | Main Range | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| A. m. mexicanus | Western & northeastern Mexico | Largest subspecies. Brighter green overall with a more prominent red forehead. |
| A. m. militaris (Nominate) | Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, NW Bolivia | Medium size. Olive-green body with a brownish-olive throat. Blue on flight feathers is noticeable but not extremely dark. |
| A. m. bolivianus | Central Bolivia to NW Argentina | Slightly smaller. Distinctive reddish-brown throat and darker blue on the tail and outer flight feathers. |
General Plumage Notes: All subspecies are predominantly olive-green with a bold red forehead patch, turquoise-blue flight feathers, and a long tail. They have a large bare white facial patch with fine black lines and a powerful black beak. Juveniles have duller plumage and darker eyes that lighten with age.
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable (IUCN Red List) — CITES Appendix I
Ara Genus
Mexico to South America
Foothill Specialist