Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilatus Scientific name definitions

The Red-bellied Macaw is a small, green macaw closely associated with the Mauritia palm tree of northern South America. It feeds almost exclusively on the palm's fruits, and nests in a hole in a dead palm surrounded by water. It may move seasonally in response to the regional availability of palm fruits. This species is widespread, particularly in the low-lying areas where Mauritia palms are common. Unlike many macaws, it has a relatively large population and is not a conservation concern.

50–51 cm; 292–390 g. Bare facial patch from base of bill above and behind eye pale yellowish; forehead grey-blue shading through dull blue to green on nape and rest of plumage , but with brownish red patch on belly  , bluish green undertail-coverts, primary-coverts and primaries  above blue, undersides of flight-feathers and tail olive-yellow. Immature undescribed.

EC Colombia S to E Ecuador, E Peru and N Bolivia, and E through E Venezuela, Trinidad and the Guianas to NC & SE Brazil.

Mauritia palm stands in seasonally or permanently inundated savannas and partly forested lands and along creeks, gallery forest and tall mangroves, penetrating parklands and plantations near settlements. Up to 650 m.

At a site in Bolivia, Sept–Nov, the species was common but in another year it could not be found, Nov–Jan, suggesting either annual fluctuations in numbers or some migratory pattern, presumably in response to annual or seasonal differences in Mauritia phenology across its wide range.

Almost exclusively the fruits of Mauritia palms, but Euterpe and Roystonea oleracea also recorded.

Flight call a distinctive high-pitched, rather plaintive “greeah” without the grating or rasping quality of other macaws. When perched, a variety of shorter calls and purrs, often with a similar plaintive quality.

Feb–Jun in Guyana; Feb and Sept, Trinidad; bird visiting hole in stub in Sept, Brazil. Nest  in hole in dead palm, of which base commonly in water, possibly giving protection against predation; on Trinidad often in just-vacated hole of Amazona amazonica. Eggs two (in captivity four); also in captivity, incubation lasts 25 days, and nestling period 73–78 days.

Not globally threatened (LEAST CONCERN). CITES II. Locally common throughout range with the exception of Colombia and Guyana, where uncommon; Mauritia palm stands tend to be left by human colonists, so this bird is often little affected by forest clearance within range, and it is relatively little sought-after for trade. However, in Venezuela local commercial exploitation and destruction of palm stands have caused a significant decline in numbers (1 Desenne, P., and S. D. Strahl (1991). Trade and the conservation status of the family Psittacidae in Venezuela. Bird Conservation International 1(2): 153–169. Close ). In French Guiana industrial use of palms is considered a potential threat. In Guyana proposed dams have been expected to reduce its habitat substantially which, combined with trade (an annual average of 383 birds exported 1981–1985), are a source of concern for its future in the country.