Green-winged Macaw
Ara chloropterus
Also called Red-and-green macaw, Red-and-blue macaw, Red-blue-and-green macaw
From Northern and central South America: from eastern Panama through Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas to Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Ecuador and Peru and north-eastern Bolivia, formerly also northern Argentina. It prefers humid lowland forest up to about 500 m, as well as deciduous forest, gallery woodland and llanos.123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Feathered; very large, long-tailed macaw
A big, heavy macaw with deep red plumage, a band of green across the middle of the wing, and blue flight feathers, back, rump and tail. The tail is blue with red tips. The bare white face is crossed by neat lines of tiny red feathers around the eyes, which helps tell it apart from the scarlet macaw. It is darker red and shorter-tailed than the scarlet macaw. Adults have yellow eyes.123
Personality what they are like
Often described as the gentlest of the large macaws, with a steady, mellow nature. A well cared-for green-wing makes a pleasant, affectionate companion for many years. It is not a big talker, and while it has loud calls, they tend to be occasional rather than constant when the bird's needs are met.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Needs plenty of time out of the cage, a play top or stand, and daily mental stimulation.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Provide strong toys and chewables that can stand up to a very powerful beak, and replace them often.3
Home where they are happiest
A very large cage in stainless steel or quality powder-coated metal, with a play top; World Parrot Trust suggests aviary birds have around 15 m of flight space.31
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A balanced pellet diet with fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy table foods, plus nuts as treats. Wild birds eat many kinds of seeds and fruit.31
Company who they like around
Social; it enjoys company and can share space with macaws of a similar size.3
The story where it all began
Gray described the green-winged macaw in 1859. It has become one of the most popular large macaws in homes, loved for its calm nature, and in Argentina a reintroduction programme has brought it back to areas such as Iguazú National Park.23
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
After the hyacinth macaw, it is the largest member of the macaw group.2
- 2
Rows of tiny red feathers form lines around the eyes on its bare white face, one of the easiest ways to tell it from the scarlet macaw, whose face is almost bare.2
- 3
Wild flocks gather at mineral-rich clay cliffs to eat the clay.3
- 4
Pairs stay together for life.2
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy
- Described by George Robert Gray in 1859. No subspecies.2
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern.1
- CITES
- Appendix II.1
- Aviculture
- Wikipedia calls it the second most common macaw in captivity after the blue-and-yellow macaw; Lafeber ranks it third after the blue-and-gold and scarlet macaws.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Green-winged Macaw. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Cage linerevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Bath offerevery 3 days
- Nails checkevery month
- Beak checkevery month
- EnrichmentPuzzles and foraging every dayevery day
- Out-of-cage timeAbout 3 hours a dayevery day
- Vet check-upevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Green-winged Macaw?
Furry Diary's starting plan is to offer fresh food and water daily. A balanced pellet diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy table foods should be given each day, with nuts as treats. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.31 Furry Diary plan
What does a Green-winged Macaw eat, and what should it never eat?
A Green-winged Macaw eats a balanced pellet diet, fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy table foods, and nuts as treats. Wild birds also eat many seeds and fruit. Never give avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or high-salt foods; ask your vet for a full list.31
How much space does a Green-winged Macaw need?
This large macaw needs a very big cage made of stainless steel or quality powder-coated metal, with a play top. The World Parrot Trust suggests aviary birds have around 15 meters of flight space for proper exercise.31
What temperature, light or water does a Green-winged Macaw need?
Keep your macaw in a warm, draft-free area with natural daylight cycles; specific temperature needs vary. Provide fresh water daily for drinking and offer a bath every three days as per Furry Diary's plan. For exact conditions, consult an avian vet. Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Green-winged Macaw's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan is to change the cage liner daily and do a full cage clean every seven days. This keeps the environment fresh and healthy for your bird. Furry Diary plan
Can a Green-winged Macaw live with others?
Yes, this social bird enjoys company and can share space with macaws of a similar size. Always introduce new birds gradually and supervise them to ensure harmony.3
How long does a Green-winged Macaw live?
A Green-winged Macaw can live between 30 and 70 years, so it's a long-term commitment. With proper care, it can be a companion for many decades.31
Can I handle a Green-winged Macaw?
Yes, this gentle macaw can be handled and makes an affectionate companion when well cared for. It needs plenty of time out of its cage daily, about three hours as per Furry Diary's plan, for bonding and exercise.3 Furry Diary plan
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Blue-and-gold Macaw
Hyacinth MacawLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Red-and-green Macaw - World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia parrots.orgused for names, size, weight, range, habitat, plumage, wild diet, lifespan, conservation, aviary size
- Red-and-green macaw - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, size, weight, range, breeding, aviculture ranking, fun facts
- Green-Winged Macaw - Lafeber lafeber.comused for temperament, talking, noise, activity, cage, diet, social needs, lifespan, clay licks
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.