Different Types of New World Parrots

The parrots that we commonly refer to as macaws are not the only ones that exist. There are many different types of New World parrots, including Puerto Rican and Indigo-winged parrots. Among them are the Military and Blue-throated macaws, as well as the Spix’s macaw.

Military macaw

Military macaws are medium-sized parrots with a light blue plumage and yellow eyes. The military macaw is found in Mexico and South America. This species is a migratory bird, flying hundreds of miles every day.

Military macaws feed on seeds, fruits, nuts and other vegetation. They are found in the lower elevations of forests and wooded foothills. These birds are generally seen in pairs or family groups.

Military macaws have a very large home range, ranging from Mexico to Argentina. They are considered endangered because of habitat loss and loss of resources. They are also threatened by snakes, cats and raptors.

They are considered vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. They are listed as Appendix I of CITES.

Red-and-green macaw

 

Indigo-winged parrot

The Indigo-winged parrot, also known as the Fuertes’s parrot, is one of the rarest species in South America. It’s endemic to Colombia, where it lives in the western slope of the Central Andes. Though its population has grown in recent years, it’s still small. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is considered critically endangered, and is in danger of extinction.

Fortunately, conservation efforts have helped slow the decline. However, the main problem remains the lack of nesting sites, especially for mature trees. In fact, some of the forests in which the parrots nest have been cleared for mining or cattle ranching.