ARA - Jardín del papagayo

The genus Ara corresponds to the largest group of parrots that exist. They are commonly called Macaws. They all come from South and Central America.

Their common characteristic is, in addition to their size, their large tail and the stripes on their face.

Males and females do not differ externally. They have internal sexual organs, so to determine the sex, their DNA is analyzed through a drop of blood.

Macaws have very few enemies, excluding man.

Some of the species are very rare in nature and are in danger of extinction. This is due to two fundamental factors: uncontrolled captures and habitat destruction.

Macaws are very long-lived, they can live 60-70 years. They reach sexual maturity around 4-6 years and are monogamous, always mating with the same individual.

The preferred habitat of macaws is dense forest, however, some species adapt to the savannah, as long as there are large trees to shelter.

Nesting takes place in the hollow of a tree. They lay 2 to 3 eggs that incubate for 26 days. The chicks leave the nest at 14 weeks. They do not become fully independent until 6 or 7 months.

In the Papagayo Garden there are the following species of the Ara genus: Ara Ararauna, Ara Chloroptera. Ara Militaris, Ara Macao, Ara Severa and Ara Nobilis.