Scarlet Macaw

Occurring from Mexico all the way to Brazil, the scarlet macaw is amongst the best known and most stunning of macaws.

It lends its brilliance to the logo of Bird Paradise, resplendent in red, yellow, and blue feathers contrasting with a bare white face that can blush if the bird is excited.

This parrot is a familiar sight in tropical rainforests, often seen flying to and from seasonal fruiting sites in screeching pairs or family flocks.

Throughout its enormous range, the scarlet macaw faces the constant threat of destruction of its forest habitat.

Popular in the pet trade, it is also the target of illegal trapping. These pressures have substantially reduced its numbers or completely wiped it out in some areas.

Even then, the species remains resilient, with an estimated population of at least 50,000 mature individuals in the wild.

A number of conservation initiatives are in place to secure the macaw’s future, including education programmes for local communities and visitors, ecotourism promotions, and intensive biological studies.

Nest boxes installed in areas with limited tree holes have boosted its breeding success. The species has also been reintroduced into some protected areas.