AnAge entry for Ara macao

Classification (HAGRID: 01520)

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Aves (Taxon entry)
            Order: Psittaciformes (Taxon entry)
                Family: Psittacidae
                    Genus: Ara
Species: Ara macao
Common name: Scarlet macaw

Maximum longevity: 33 years (captivity)
Source: ref. 669
Sample size: Large
Data quality: Acceptable
Observations: One female was still alive after 33 years in captivity but it rarely flew probably because of its age; it bred with a 32 year-old male for 22 years, until both were nearly 30 years of age [0669]. There are various anecdotal reports of animals living longer, though, including one report of an animal living 37.1 years [0986] and one specimen living to be 64 years of age [0575]. In captivity, these animals have been known to breed from about 8 years of age [0979].

No information on metabolism is available.

[0979] Young et al. (2012), Survival on the ark: life history trends in captive parrots (PubMed)
[0669] Brouwer et al. (2000), Longevity records for Psittaciformes in captivity
[0986] Ricklefs (2000), Intrinsic aging-related mortality in birds
[0732] Starck and Ricklefs (1998), Avian growth rate data set
[0575] Flower (1938), Furter notes on the duration of life in animals. IV. Birds