Unveiling Costa Rica’s Great Green Macaw: Emerald Giants of the Rainforests

Great Green Macaw

Living in Costa Rica, I’m surrounded by the vibrant sounds of the rainforests, and nothing grabs my attention quite like the bold squawk of a great green macaw (Ara ambiguus). These massive parrots, with their dazzling green feathers and lively personalities, are a true gem among Costa Rica wildlife. They’re more than just eye-catching—they help keep forests thriving by spreading seeds, though habitat loss is making life tough for them. If you’re into Costa Rica animals, come along as I share the ins and outs of the great green macaw’s life, from how they raise their families to their role in the jungles, and show  you the best wildlife tours in Costa Rica to see these emerald giants in action.

What Makes the Great Green Macaw So Special?

The great green macaw is hard to miss. Its bright green feathers light up the rainforest canopy, with a pop of red on its forehead and a touch of blue on its wingtips. Stretching up to 3 feet long, it’s one of the largest parrots found here, towering over smaller ones like the red-lored amazon. Its powerful beak crushes mountain almond seeds with ease, and its keen eyes are always on the lookout for food or trouble.

Young macaws have duller colors and shorter tails, but by age 5 or 6, they’re sporting that full, vibrant glow. In the humid forests, they stand out as a star of Costa Rica animals, and spotting one feels like a special moment.

Fun Fact: They sometimes munch on snails for extra protein, which is pretty rare for macaws and shows how they adapt to survive.

Starting Life in the Treetops

Great green macaws set up their homes high in rainforest trees, nesting in hollows of mountain almond trees. A female lays 1–3 eggs, keeping them warm for about 26–28 days while the male stands guard against predators like toucans or snakes. The chicks hatch tiny—barely 1–1.5 ounces—and rely on their parents for “crop milk,” a mix of regurgitated seeds and fruits. Unlike scarlet macaws, whose babies leave the nest in 10–12 weeks, these chicks stay for 12–14 weeks, getting strong enough for the challenging jungles.

Even after they fledge, the young hang out with their parents for up to 18 months, learning to crack nuts and avoid danger by mimicking mom and dad. It’s a tough start—bigger chicks often grab more food, leaving smaller ones struggling. These family moments are a big hit on animal tours, and you can see them on a Santa Elena Private Guided Walk in the Cloud Forest Reserve.

Living in Flocks: Friends and Family

Great green macaws are social butterflies, sticking together in flocks of 6–12, usually family groups. Unlike some parrots that go it alone, these guys pair up for life, preening each other and flying in sync. They’re super talkative, with loud screeches and gentle coos that carry over a mile to greet friends or warn of danger. Fun Fact: They can even recognize people, acting curious in safe spots like parks but skittish where poaching is an issue, showing off their sharp memory.

They argue over food with noisy shouting matches but rarely get into actual fights, unlike some feistier macaws. They share news about good fruit trees with their flock, and I heard about one in the forests freeing a friend stuck in a vine—talk about teamwork! Their lively chatter makes them a highlight of wildlife tours Costa Rica, especially on a Self-Guided Kayaking Adventure, where you can spot them soaring above the canal.

Finding Love and Raising Babies

Love is a big deal for great green macaws. They mate for life, charming each other with loud duets, sharing fruit, and flashing their bright feathers. They get busy mostly in the dry season (December–April), when food’s abundant, and females choose males with the best nests in mountain almond trees. The male guards the nest while the female incubates, ready to chase off any threats.

Both parents raise the chicks, spending more time than scarlet macaws, and they reuse nests for years, high up for safety. Some pairs even adopt orphaned chicks, which is pretty rare and shows their caring side. These families are why Costa Rica nature tours for families are such a hit.

Local Tip: Visit in the dry season to catch nests full of activity.

What’s on the Menu?

Great green macaws are picky eaters, focusing on mountain almond seeds, figs, and flowers high in the canopy, 50–150 feet up. Their beaks crack shells like pros, more precise than scarlet macaws, who eat a wider variety. They’ll climb or hang upside down to grab the best fruit, tossing aside anything less than perfect. When food’s tight, they’ll eat buds or even snails, which is a surprise.

They’re also forest helpers, spreading mountain almond seeds to grow new trees. Watching them eat is a cool animal activity, and you can see it on a La Fortuna: Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge and Traditional Lunch, where their green feathers stand out in the jungle.

Staying Safe in the Jungle

Great green macaws face predators like harpy eagles, hawks, and snakes, but poaching and habitat loss are the real dangers, with only about 3,500 left worldwide. They escape predators with quick, zigzagging flights at 35 mph or hide in thick leaves, and their high nests (50–100 feet) protect chicks. Babies have it toughest, risking falls or attacks, especially with fewer trees.

They use loud alarm calls to warn their flock, louder than smaller parrots, and scare off rivals with fake charges. Their mix of guts and caution shines on nature tours, where you can watch them dart through the canopy. Fun Fact: Their ultraviolet vision spots fruit humans can’t see, making them top foragers in busy forests.

Roaming the Rainforests

Great green macaws don’t migrate, but they’re always moving, traveling up to 30 miles a day to find fruiting trees. They rely on memory and flock smarts to avoid getting lost, resting on high perches 100–150 feet up. Deforestation makes them cross risky open areas, but their tight groups help them manage. Seeing their flocks fly is a must-do on wildlife tours Costa Rica, especially at dawn when the jungles glow.

Helping the Forest Grow

Great green macaws share fruit trees with toucans and smaller parrots but compete with scarlet macaws for nest cavities, often losing out due to low numbers. By spreading seeds, they help trees like the mountain almond grow, keeping forests healthy. They avoid cleared areas, so nature spots like parks are their safe zones. Their role makes them a star of wildlife studies and animal tours.

How Macaws See the World

Great green macaws experience jungles vividly, with eyes that catch ultraviolet light and ears that hear calls a mile away. They’re clever, solving problems like cracking tough nuts or escaping traps, and they show emotions—stress when guarding nests or playfulness when tossing sticks. Some even care for unrelated chicks, showing strong bonds. These traits make them a big draw on outdoor recreation tours.

Best Places to See Great Green Macaws

These nature spots are perfect for spotting great green macaws, each with a unique tour to get you close to these parrots:

1. Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve: Located in the misty Monteverde region, this lush reserve is a hotspot for Costa Rica wildlife, including great green macaws foraging in the dense canopy. The Santa Elena Private Guided Walk in the Cloud Forest Reserve is a 2.5-hour tour with expert guides who know the macaws’ favorite hangouts. You’ll walk quiet trails, great for animal activities and photography, with a solid chance to see these parrots in their natural setting. Visit in the dry season (December–April) for clearer views. Local Tip: Wear sturdy shoes for the trails and bring a camera to capture those emerald feathers.

   
   

2. Punta Uva: On the Caribbean coast, Punta Uva’s forests and canals host macaw flocks. A nearby great green macaw rescue feeds these birds daily, attracting them to the area. Our very own Self-Guided Kayaking Adventure offers a unique perspective, letting you paddle through the canal for 2 hours to spot wildlife. Book the 1 PM or 3 PM slots for an amazing chance to see macaws flying back from feeding at the rescue, their emerald wings flashing above the water. This tour is ideal for outdoor recreation and animal activities, blending adventure with serene views. Tip: Paddle quietly to avoid startling the macaws, and bring binoculars for close-ups.

   
   

3. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge: Near La Fortuna, this wetland refuge is a haven for great green macaws, with its lush forests and waterways. The La Fortuna: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and Traditional Lunch is a 7-hour tour that includes a boat ride through the refuge, perfect for spotting macaws in the canopy, plus a tasty traditional lunch. It’s a great pick for wildlife tours Costa Rica, offering a mix of nature and culture. Local Tip: Morning tours catch macaws when they’re most active, so book early.

Conservation: Saving Great Green Macaws

With only 3,500 great green macaws left, forests need help. Deforestation and poaching threaten their homes, but places like Santa Elena, Cahuita, and Caño Negro are stepping up by protecting nesting trees. The great green macaw rescue, Ara, near the Punta Uva canal is doing incredible work, feeding birds daily to support their recovery. When you join nature tours, your park fees help these efforts, keeping macaws flying.