Red-shouldered macaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-shouldered macaw |
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| Hahn's macaw (D. n. nobilis) | |
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Diopsittaca
Ridgway, 1912
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| Diopsittaca nobilis |
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The red-shouldered macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) is a type of parrot. It is one of the smallest macaws. These birds are mostly green with bright red patches on their shoulders.
Red-shouldered macaws live in South America. They enjoy eating fruits, nuts, and seeds. Sometimes, people keep them as pets because they are smart and can form strong bonds with humans.
They live in warm, wet areas like tropical lowlands, savannahs, and swamplands. You can find them in countries such as Venezuela, the Guianas, Bolivia, and Brazil. There are two main types, or subspecies, of this macaw: the noble macaw and Hahn's macaw.
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What Does a Red-Shouldered Macaw Look Like?
The red-shouldered macaw is the smallest of all macaws. It is about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long and weighs around 165 grams (5.8 ounces). Like other macaws, it has a long, thin tail and a large head.
Its body is covered in bright green feathers. The feathers on its head, just above the beak, are a dark blue color. Its wings and tail are bright green on top and olive-green underneath. The front edges of its wings, especially the underside, are red. These red feathers usually appear when the bird gets older.
Red-shouldered macaws have orange eyes. The skin around their eyes is white and has no feathers, similar to larger macaws. This bare patch of skin is smaller compared to their head size than in bigger macaws. You can tell the Hahn's macaw and noble macaw apart by their beaks. The Hahn's macaw has a black upper beak, while the noble macaw has a lighter, horn-colored upper beak.
These macaws make sounds that are more like screeches than whistles.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Red-shouldered macaws are known for being very friendly birds. Their personalities are quite similar to those of the larger macaw species.
How Do Red-Shouldered Macaws Reproduce?
Red-shouldered macaws build their nests inside holes in trees. A female macaw usually lays three or four white eggs in her nest. She sits on the eggs to keep them warm for about 24 to 26 days. After the chicks hatch, they stay in the nest for about 54 days until they are ready to fly. This process of leaving the nest is called fledging.
Images for kids
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Diopsittaca nobilis - MHNT
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Noble macaws in Mato Grosso, Brazil
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A pair of noble macaws in captivity
See also
In Spanish: Guacamayo noble para niños
