Nuts, leaves, berries and seeds from the rain forest make up the bulk of the scarlet macaw’s diet. Its strong, hooked beak is perfect for breaking nuts and seeds. Interestingly, the scarlet macaw can eat fruits toxic enough to kill other animals. This could be because they also eat large amounts of clay, which is thought to neutralize plant poisons.

Breeding / Nesting

They reach reproductive maturity when they are about 3 to 4 years old and form monogamous pair bonds that last a lifetime. Pairs are usually seen together, except when one of them is incubating eggs or brooding / taking care of young chicks. Pairs show affection by feeding and preening each other, and licking each other’s faces.

Nesting usually occurs once every one or two years, and the breeding season varies by their range, rainy seasons and availability of food. Those found in the southern parts of their range usually start breeding in December and those further north may get started in late December to January. If conditions are right, they breed year-round.