The Great Green Macaw, Ara ambiguus, also known as Buffon's Macaw, is a Central and South American parrot found in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador. Two allopatric subspecies are recognized, the nominate subspecies is found in Central America to northern Colombia, while A. a. guayaquilensis is found in western Ecuador and possibly south-western Colombia.

Taxonomy

The scientific name has recently been changed from A. ambigua to A. ambiguus to bring the name in gender agreement.

Description

Great Green Macaws are the largest parrots in their natural range, averaging 85"?90 cm (33"?36 in) long and 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) in weight. They are mainly green and have a reddish forehead and pale blue lower back, rump and upper tail feathers. Tail is brownish red tipped with very pale blue. The bare facial skin is patterned with lines of small dark feathers, which are reddish in older and female parrots.

Status

It has been described as endangered, and has been one of the key elements in the proposal for the formation of a new National Park in Costa Rica, Maquenque National Park. Already significant parts of the bird's existing habitat is covered by Nature reserves and other conservation projects.

Aviculture

Buffon's Macaw is sometimes bred in captivity, having a less nervous personality than most other macaws, but it is still very rarely seen as a pet.