How to identify the Chestnut-fronted Macaw

To correctly identify the Chestnut-fronted Macaw (Ara severus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

45-50 cm (18-20 in)

Wingspan

76-84 cm (30-33 in)

Weight

300-410 g (10.6-14.5 oz)

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Predominantly green plumage. The forehead and a narrow band above the cere are chestnut-brown. The crown and nape are green. The primary coverts and outer webs of the primary flight feathers are blue. The underwing coverts and flight feathers are olive-yellow. The lower back and rump are green. The tail feathers are reddish-brown at the base, becoming blue towards the tip, with green outer webs. The underside of the tail is dull yellow.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Large, powerful, and strongly hooked. The upper mandible is blackish-grey, and the lower mandible is horn-colored with a blackish tip.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Yellowish-orange with a dark pupil, surrounded by a bare white facial patch that may show fine lines of small black feathers.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Dark grey to blackish

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The most distinctive features are the chestnut-brown band on the forehead and the bare white facial patches. The blue on the primary coverts and flight feathers is also a key identifier in flight.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adults but have shorter tails, duller plumage, and often a darker iris (brownish-grey) that gradually lightens to yellow-orange with age. The chestnut frontal band may be less pronounced.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Males and females are monomorphic, meaning they look identical in plumage and size.

Key field marks

• Size and Overall Color. Medium-sized macaw, predominantly green. This distinguishes it from larger 'true' macaws and smaller parakeets.
• Forehead Color. Look for the distinct chestnut-brown band across the forehead, which gives it its common name. This is a primary field mark.
• Facial Patch. Observe the bare white facial skin, which may have fine lines of small black feathers. This is typical of macaws but combined with the chestnut forehead is diagnostic.
• Bill Color. Note the two-toned bill: blackish-grey upper mandible and horn-colored lower mandible with a black tip.
• Flight Feathers. In flight, the blue primary coverts and outer webs of the primary flight feathers are visible, contrasting with the green body.
• Vocalizations. Listen for its loud, harsh, guttural screeches and squawks, especially when flying or in groups.

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