Most species of macaws have a bright colouration, suitable for life in the rainforests of Central and South America.

Within the group, they are easily recognized by the long tail feathers, which act as a rudder, helping in steering the flight.

They are also social species, gathering in flocks of dozens of individuals, and spend a lot of time interacting with each other. Usually they mate for life and the pair always stay very close: even when flying within the flock, they stay side by side.

Many of these species are endangered and some, like the Spix’s macaw, are even extinct in the wild existing only in breeding programmes under human care.