What does the Scarlet Macaw eat?

The Scarlet Macaw's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Herbivore (frugivore, granivore, nectivore)

How it forages

Primarily feeds on a wide variety of fruits, nuts, seeds, flowers, and nectar. They have a powerful beak capable of cracking hard nuts and seeds. They are known to consume clay from riverbanks (geophagy), which is thought to neutralize toxins from unripe fruits and aid digestion.

When it feeds

Diurnal. Most active during early morning and late afternoon, foraging and flying between sites. Midday is often spent resting in the canopy.

Explore the Scarlet Macaw