Head to head
Mealy Parrot vs Scarlet Macaw
Mealy Parrot
VS Scarlet Macaw
Both are large parrots that gather at clay licks and share a broad Neotropical range, but their size, colour, and social habits differ.
| Mealy Parrot | Scarlet Macaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Amazona farinosa | Ara macao |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Body size | One of the largest Amazona parrots | Even larger, up to about 96 centimetres |
| Colouring | Green with a whitish, mealy bloom | Vivid red, yellow, and blue |
| Pair bonding | Not specifically documented as lifelong | Mates for life |
| Lifespan | Not specifically documented as exceptionally long | 30 to 50 years in the wild |
| Clay lick behaviour | Visits clay licks | Visits clay licks |
| Range | Mexico through much of South America | Southern Mexico through Central America and the Amazon basin |
Mealy Parrot vs Scarlet Macaw: common questions
Which bird is larger?
The scarlet macaw is, reaching up to about 96 centimetres, larger than the mealy parrot despite the mealy parrot itself ranking among the biggest Amazona species.
Which bird mates for life?
The scarlet macaw does, forming long-term pair bonds in which partners fly wingtip to wingtip and preen each other year-round, a behaviour not specifically documented in the mealy parrot.
Do both birds visit clay licks?
Yes, both gather at exposed riverbank clay deposits to eat mineral-rich soil, a behaviour thought to help neutralize toxins in their seed-and-fruit diet and supply scarce minerals like sodium.