Military Macaw

Overview

The Military Macaw is a mid-sized green macaw named for its olive-drab coloring reminiscent of a military uniform. It occupies a patchy range from Mexico south through parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, often favoring rugged foothill and canyon habitats rather than lowland rainforest.

Its subdued green plumage combined with a small bright red forehead patch makes it a distinctive, if easily overlooked, member of the large macaw group.

Feather Identification

• Body feathers: Olive-green to dull forest green over most of the body, lacking the bright reds or blues of other large macaws.
• Head feathers: A small but distinct patch of bright red feathers sits on the forehead, contrasting with the green crown.
• Wing and tail feathers: Flight feathers and the tail show blue tips and edges, particularly visible on the underside in flight.
• Shaft and texture: Thick, sturdy shafts typical of large macaws; body feathers have a somewhat duller, less glossy finish than the vivid red macaws.
• Compared to similar species: The larger Buffon's (Great Green) Macaw is more yellowish-green overall and lacks the compact red forehead patch's crisp edge seen in the Military Macaw.

Plumage Notes

Sexes are alike, both showing olive-green body plumage, a red forehead patch, and blue in the wings and tail. The bare facial skin is whitish with thin lines of small dark feathers.

Juveniles resemble adults but with shorter tails and slightly less defined coloring. As with other macaws, molt is gradual through the year rather than tied to a single narrow season.

Habitat & Range

The Military Macaw has a fragmented range across Mexico, and portions of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. It favors semi-arid foothill forest, canyon country, and pine-oak woodland at moderate elevations, differing from many macaws that stick to humid lowlands.

Populations are largely resident, though birds may move locally between feeding and roosting sites.

Behavior & Field Notes

Military Macaws travel in pairs or small flocks, often roosting communally on cliff faces in canyon habitats. They feed on seeds, nuts, and fruit gathered in the forest canopy, cracking hard shells with their powerful bills.

Nesting typically occurs in tree cavities or cliff crevices, and pairs are believed to mate for life. Their calls are loud, raucous, and typical of macaws, often given in flight as pairs move between roosting cliffs and feeding grounds.