Severe Macaw
Ara severus
South America • Chestnut-fronted Macaw
IUCN Status
Least Concern
The Severe Macaw (Ara severus), also known as the Chestnut-fronted Macaw, is a medium-sized macaw known for its rich green body, distinctive chestnut-brown forehead and face, and bright blue flight feathers. It is one of the most popular “mini” to medium macaws in aviculture due to its playful, affectionate personality, bold curiosity, and relatively manageable size compared to the larger macaws. Severe Macaws are intelligent, vocal, and form strong bonds with their owners.
General Description
| Common Name | Severe Macaw (Chestnut-fronted Macaw) |
| Latin Name | Ara severus |
| Family | Psittacidae • Macaws |
| Adult Size | 46–51 cm (18–20 in) |
| Weight | 300–400 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 on average; DNA testing is required. |
| Natural Habitat | Humid forests, forest edges, savanna woodlands, and palm groves, often near rivers. |
| Origin / Range | Northern and central South America: Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. |
| Care Level | Intermediate to Advanced • More manageable than large macaws but still needs space |
Ara severus • Adult showing chestnut forehead and green body
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW • LIVELY MINI MACAW
Plumage & Features
The Severe Macaw is primarily bright green with a distinctive chestnut-brown forehead and face (giving it the name “Chestnut-fronted”). The wings show bright turquoise-blue flight feathers, and the tail is long with blue and green tones. It has a small bare white facial patch, a black beak, and dark eyes.
There are no recognised subspecies, though birds from different regions can vary slightly in the intensity of the chestnut colour on the head. Juveniles have less chestnut on the forehead and duller overall plumage.
Conservation Status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List) — CITES Appendix II
Ara Genus
South America
Chestnut-fronted Mini Macaw