Description
The Green-winged macaw can be readily identified from the Scarlet Macaw as whilst the breast of both birds is bright red, the upper-wing covert feathers of the Green-winged macaw are mostly green but can occasionally sport a few yellow feathers above the band of green (as opposed to mostly yellow, or a strong mix of yellow and green in the Scarlet Macaw). In addition, the Green-winged macaw has characteristic red lines around the eyes formed by rows of tiny feathers on the otherwise bare white skin patch; this is one of the biggest differences from a Scarlet Macaw to the casual viewer. Iridescent teal feathers are surrounded by red on the tail. If seen together, the Green-winged macaw is clearly larger than the Scarlet Macaw as well.
It is second only in size to the Hyacinth Macaw, the largest bird of the macaw family. The wingspan of the Green-winged macaw can be up to 49 inches (125 cm), with a total body length of 35–37 inches (90–95 cm). A healthy adult will weigh between 1,250 and 1,700 grams (2.7-3.7 lbs).
The Green-winged macaw has a very powerful beak which can generate a pressure of 2000 psi and can snap a broomstick in half. This powerful beak has evolved to crush or open even the hardest nuts and seeds.
Read more about this topic: Red-and-green Macaw
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