Flamingo and Green-Winged Macaw Exhibit
Green-Winged Macaw – Ara chloropterus
Habitat: Macaws are a group of long-tailed, large-beaked parrots native to Central and South America. Across that range, they live in several kinds of forested habitats, from dense tropical rainforest to dry, wooded savanna.
Adaptations: Macaws’ large, strong beaks are useful for feeding and climbing. Macaws travel together in loud screeching flocks.
Diet: Macaws eat seeds, nuts and fruits.
Fun Fact: Macaws are messy eaters, dropping large quantities of food as they eat. In the wild, this habit provides many ground-dwelling animals with fruit they would not otherwise be able to reach. Some of the foods macaws eat in the wild contain small amounts of toxins. To counter these poisons, macaws will eat clay, gathering in large numbers on cliff faces to obtain it. Green-winged macaws are the second-largest type of macaw.
Flamingo – Phoenicopterus Ruber
Habitat: American flamingos are found in central and northern South America. They also live on several Caribbean islands, as well as the Galapagos. They live in lagoons, estuaries, mud flats and lakes.
Adaptations: Flamingos are filter-feeders, sweeping their curved bills through the water with their heads held upside down. The bill filters the water and mud, and the bird swallows the prey. Their tongue and beak have comb-like filaments that act as filters when feeding.
