Ara militaris (Linnaeus, 1766)

Size Measurements

On average, military macaws (Ara militaris) measure 70 to 85 centimeters (28 to 33 inches) in length, with a wingspan ranging from 99 to 110 centimeters (39 to 43 inches).

Plumage Coloration

Their plumage is mostly green, with light-blue and yellow feathers on the flight wings and tail, and a bright red patch on the forehead.

Facial Features

Like most macaws, they have a bare facial patch that is whitish with black striations.

Bill and Iris Traits

Their large, strong bill has a slate-grey, blackish color, and their iris is yellow.

Comparison to Great Green Macaws (Physical)

Military macaws look very similar to great green macaws, but can be told apart by their smaller size, entirely black bill, and overall darker, deeper plumage.

Comparison to Great Green Macaws (Other)

The two species can also be distinguished by differences in their calls and communication; great green macaws prefer humid forest habitats, while military macaws are most often found in deciduous forests.

Phylogenetic Relationship

Phylogenetic studies confirm that the two species are sister clades.

Subspecies Variation Overview

Subspecies of military macaw differ from one another in size and coloration.

Subspecies Size Differences

Overall size varies between 70 and 80 cm (28–31 in), with the nominotypical A. m. militaris being the smallest subspecies, and A. m. mexicana the largest.

Primary Habitat Type

Military macaws typically live in tropical deciduous and semi-deciduous forests.

Canopy Dependence

They are a canopy-dependent species, because they require large canopy trees in deciduous and subdeciduous forests for feeding, breeding, nesting, protection from predators, and shelter from heat.

Elevation Range

They generally occur at elevations between 600 and 1500 m, which is higher in mountain ranges than most other macaw species.

Seasonal Lowland Habitat

However, these macaws may seasonally descend to lowlands, where they are most often found in humid forests and thorny woodlands.

Nesting Sites

They nest in the tops of trees 8–28 m off the ground, and more frequently nest on cliff faces over 600 ft (180 m) above the ground.

Subspecies Geographic Separation

The three recognized subspecies of military macaw are separated geographically.

A. m. militaris Range

A. m. militaris occurs in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.

A. m. mexicana and A. m. boliviana Range

A. m. mexicana is found in Mexico, while A. m. boliviana lives in Bolivia and Argentina.

Central America Absence Explanation

The species’ absence from Central America may be explained by local habitat changes and competition with the closely related great green macaw.

Introduced Population Status (Florida)

Escaped or deliberately released military macaws have been recorded in Florida, USA, but there is no evidence of an established breeding population; the recorded individuals likely persist only from ongoing releases or escapes.

Foraging Behavior Timing

Around dawn, military macaws leave their roosts in flocks to forage.

Core Diet Components

Their diet is mostly made up of seeds, and also includes fruits and leaves.

Recorded Food Sources

They have been observed drinking water from Pseudalcantarea grandis and consuming latex from Plumeria rubra.

Diet Breadth

They have a relatively narrow diet, meaning they only feed on a small percentage of the plant species available to them.

Clay Lick Feeding Behavior

They gather in flocks to feed on accumulations of clay called "macaw licks" located along riverbanks, and sometimes in the interior of the Amazon rainforest.

Clay Consumption Purpose

The clay deposits are thought to neutralize toxins found in the seeds and vegetation that make up the rest of their diet, and also provide dietary salt that is otherwise missing from their diet.