Psittacus chloropterus, Gr.

Green-winged Macaw (Ger., Grosser grunflugeliger Arara, dunkelrother Arara, Grunflugel-Arara; Fr., Ara chloroptere, Ara aux ailes verts; Dut., Groote Groenvleugel Ara) - Description - Habitat - Longevity.

This species is distinguished from the preceding only by the plumage being, on the whole, of a much darker red, and by its being green, not yellow, on the shoulders and upper coverts of the wing. It was first described by Gessner, then in 1760 by Brisson, and named by Gray in 1859. It is dark scarlet on the head, and on all the rest of the upper part of the body, each feather on the back of the neck and the fore part of the back being edged with green; the middle and lower part of the back, as well as the upper coverts of the tail, are sky-blue; the primaries dark blue, the inner web black, the reverse side purplish-red, the coverts dull blue; the coverts of the shoulders and wings a dull olive-green; the small coverts under the wing red, with a broad green edge; the broad tip of the tail, and both the outermost feathers, dark blue; all the lower part of the body a dark scarlet; the under coverts of the tail sky-blue; the upper mandible whitish horn-grey, with a black spot at the base; the lower mandible black; the featherless cheeks white; the eyes yellow, or yellowish pearl-grey; the feet are blackish-brown, with black claws. In size it is somewhat less than the preceding (length, 30 3/4 in. to 32 3/4in.; wings, 15 3/8in. to 16 3/8in.; tail, 12 3/8in. to 18 5/8in.).

It is found in the district extending from South Brazil, the Amazon river, and Guiana, as far as Panama and Uruguay. It is common in the trade and in zoological gardens, and can be kept in excellent condition for more than ten years; but, of course, for a much longer period when receiving suitable treatment from a connoisseur.