Most Colorful Birds on the Planet (And Where to Find Them)

20. Scarlet Macaw
Latin name: Ara macao
Unique colorful feature: Scarlet red head and body with multi-colored wings
Where they are found: Central and South America
Size: Length: 33 inches (84 cm); Weight: 2.2 pounds (1 kg)
Diet: berries, nuts, seeds, and insects

They can learn to talk (mimic a wide range of human words) and mimic other animal sounds as well as distinguish shapes and colors.

Among the largest and most colorful birds in the world, the scarlet macaw is predominantly a stunning red color with a white face and blue, yellow and green wings.


While these parrots mostly eat nuts, seeds, berries and insects, they can often be seen in a flock eating clay from riverbanks, which is believed to neutralizes toxins found in some plant species eaten by these parrots.

Scarlet macaws can also fly up to 35 mph and live for about 50 years in the wild.

Scarlet macaw wingspan

Monogamous birds and devoted parents, scarlet macaws raise 2 to 3 chicks at a time, but they will not breed again for about a year or more later until the juveniles are totally ready for independence.