Buffon's Macaw: The Gentle Giant of the Macaw Family That's Disappearing from the Wild

At 33 to 36 inches and with a beak that can crack a Brazil nut, the Buffon's macaw is one of the largest parrots in the Americas — and one of the most endangered. Fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain in the wild. For the experienced owner who can provide space, diet, and decades of commitment, this calm, intelligent giant offers a companionship few other macaws can match.

At-a-glance guide

What is a Buffon's macaw, and how is it different from other large macaws?

The Buffon's macaw (Ara ambiguus), also known as the great green macaw, is one of the largest parrots in the Americas, reaching 33 to 36 inches from beak to tail tip and weighing up to 1.3 kilograms. Its plumage is predominantly lime-green, with a striking red frontal patch above the beak, blue flight feathers, and a pale bare facial patch lined with fine lines of dark feathers — a pattern unique to each individual bird (World Parrot Trust, n.d.). The species ranges from eastern Honduras through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama into western Colombia and Ecuador.

Buffon's macaws are often confused with the closely related military macaw (Ara militaris), but the two can be distinguished by size — Buffon's is noticeably larger — and by the Buffon's greener, less olive-toned plumage. The great green macaw is also far rarer. The IUCN classifies Ara ambiguus as Critically Endangered, with an estimated global wild population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals and declining (BirdLife International, 2020).

Despite its imposing size, the Buffon's macaw has a reputation among experienced aviculturists as one of the gentler large macaws. It is often described as less volatile than a blue-and-gold and less demanding than a hyacinth, with a temperament that leans toward calm and observant rather than reactive. That said, it is still a large macaw — its beak can crack a Brazil nut with ease, and a bored or frightened bird can deliver a serious bite.

What kind of housing does a bird this large actually need?

A Buffon's macaw cannot live in a cage designed for an Amazon or an African grey. These are powerful, long-tailed birds that need room to stretch their wings fully, climb, and move without their tail feathers dragging or breaking against bars. The minimum cage for a single bird should be at least 4 feet wide by 3 feet deep by 5 feet tall, with bar spacing no wider than 1 to 1.25 inches, but many experienced keepers argue that a walk-in aviary — 8 to 12 feet in length — is closer to what the species genuinely needs (Lafeber Co., n.d.).

The cage or aviary must be constructed of heavy-gauge stainless steel or powder-coated wrought iron. Buffon's macaws are strong chewers, and flimsy cages with thin bars or soft metal components will be destroyed — sometimes in a single afternoon. Welded seams are preferable to bolted joints, which a determined macaw can loosen over time. Perches should be thick natural hardwood branches — manzanita, dragonwood, or eucalyptus — positioned at multiple heights.

Outdoor access in a secure, predator-proof flight aviary is ideal, especially in warm climates, but the enclosure must provide shade, shelter from wind and rain, and double-door entry to prevent escape. These birds are intelligent problem-solvers, and a simple barrel bolt or slide latch will not keep a curious Buffon's contained for long. Padlocks or escape-proof carabiner-style latches are standard practice among experienced macaw keepers.

What does a Buffon's macaw eat, and what dietary mistakes are most common?

The foundation of a Buffon's macaw diet should be a high-quality large-pellet formulation, supplemented with a generous variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and limited nuts. The Merck Veterinary Manual (2024) recommends that pelleted diets constitute approximately 60 to 80 percent of the daily intake for large psittacines, with the remainder coming from fresh produce and healthy treats. For a bird this size, that translates to roughly half a cup to three-quarters of a cup of pellets per day, plus an equal or greater volume of chopped vegetables.

Nuts are a natural part of the wild Buffon's macaw diet, which centers on large hard-shelled seeds and nuts from trees such as the mountain almond (BirdLife International, 2020). In captivity, nuts should be offered in moderation — a few almonds, walnuts, or macadamia nuts per day provide healthy fats and enrichment but can quickly contribute to obesity if overfed. Sunflower seeds and peanuts should be strictly limited; peanuts in particular carry a risk of Aspergillus contamination.

Fresh, clean water must be available at all times, and food and water bowls should be washed daily. Macaws are messy eaters, and food that sits in a bowl for more than a few hours in a warm environment can grow bacteria. Vitamin supplements are generally unnecessary for birds eating a complete pelleted diet, and oversupplementation can cause its own set of problems. Any supplementation should be guided by an avian veterinarian based on blood work, not guesswork.

Emergency triage for large macaws

What is the Buffon's macaw personality really like day to day?

The Buffon's macaw temperament is one of the species' strongest selling points — and also one of its biggest misunderstandings. These birds are often described as gentle, but "gentle" in macaw terms does not mean "low-maintenance." A well-socialized Buffon's is curious, observant, and more likely to watch a new person or object before reacting than some of the more impulsive macaw species. They tend to form strong bonds with their primary caregiver and can be affectionate without being clingy.

However, like all large macaws, Buffon's macaws can develop problematic behaviors if their needs are not met. Screaming — loud enough to be heard from several houses away — is a common complaint, and it is almost always a response to boredom, loneliness, or insufficient enrichment. Feather-destructive behavior, including plucking and barbering, is also seen in birds that lack mental stimulation or are housed in environments that do not allow natural behaviors.

Early and consistent socialization is critical. A young Buffon's should be exposed to different people, handling by multiple family members, new environments, travel carriers, and veterinary visits before fear-based aggression has a chance to take root. Positive-reinforcement training — using favored food rewards to teach step-up, stationing, and basic cues — builds trust and gives the bird a predictable way to interact with humans.

What health problems should a Buffon's macaw owner watch for?

Large macaws are generally long-lived and robust, with captive lifespans of 50 to 60 years or more, but they are susceptible to several serious conditions. Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), also known as macaw wasting disease, is a viral condition caused by avian bornavirus that affects the nerves supplying the digestive tract. Early signs include undigested food in the droppings, weight loss despite a good appetite, and regurgitation. PDD is progressive and currently has no cure (Merck Veterinary Manual, 2024).

Aspergillosis is another significant threat, particularly in birds housed in damp or poorly ventilated conditions. Macaws with compromised immune systems — from stress, poor diet, or concurrent illness — are at elevated risk. Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci) is a bacterial infection that can spread to humans and may present as respiratory signs, green droppings, or sudden death. Heavy-metal toxicity, usually from chewing on galvanized wire or lead-based paint, can cause neurological signs including seizures and weakness.

Nutritional diseases, particularly vitamin A deficiency and obesity, remain common in captive macaws fed seed-heavy diets. An annual examination by a board-certified avian veterinarian, including a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and screening for psittacosis and bornavirus, is the single most important preventive health measure an owner can take. Because macaws are long-lived, establishing a relationship with an avian vet early — before an emergency — is essential.

Why is the Buffon's macaw endangered, and what does that mean for prospective owners?

The Buffon's macaw is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with habitat loss as the primary threat. Lowland rainforests across the species' range in Central America and northwestern South America have been cleared at an alarming rate for cattle ranching, palm oil plantations, and subsistence agriculture. The mountain almond tree, which provides both food and nesting cavities for the great green macaw, has been heavily logged for its hard, durable timber (BirdLife International, 2020).

The illegal pet trade has also taken a toll, though enforcement of CITES Appendix I protections — which prohibit international commercial trade — has improved in recent decades. Captive breeding programs, including those coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, are working to maintain a genetically viable captive population, but the number of Buffon's macaws in responsible breeding programs remains small.

For a prospective owner, the endangered status carries practical implications. Any Buffon's macaw offered for sale should come with documentation proving captive breeding and legal origin. Purchasing a bird of uncertain provenance not only risks supporting illegal trade but may also result in acquiring a wild-caught bird with unknown health history, parasites, and behavioral challenges. Reputable breeders will be transparent about the bird's origin, closed leg band, and any CITES documentation.

References

• BirdLife International. (2020). Ara ambiguus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685533/179430116
• Lafeber Co. (n.d.). Macaw personality, food & care. https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/macaw/
• Merck Veterinary Manual. (2024). Nutritional diseases of pet birds. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/nutritional-diseases-of-pet-birds
• Merck Veterinary Manual. (2024). Viral diseases of pet birds. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/viral-diseases-of-pet-birds
• World Parrot Trust. (n.d.). Great green macaw (Ara ambiguus). https://parrots.org/encyclopedia/great-green-macaw/