Red-and-green Macaw (also Green-winged Macaw)

This large macaw is mainly scarlet, with green and blue in the wings, a pale facial patch and a massive hooked bill. It flies powerfully with broad wingbeats and gives loud, far-carrying calls; paired birds are often seen flying together.

Bold transverse bands of dark blue, orange-red, pale yellow and cream-white, with a dark blue-black distal section. The pattern is consistent with a macaw flight feather, though a single feather cannot securely distinguish species or assess age and sex.

Closely interlocking pennaceous barbs form a firm vane; no obvious fraying or fluffy aftershaft is visible.

A slender, pale rachis runs through the feather; barbs form crisp colored bands and dark boundaries across the vane.

The vane looks smooth, compact and slightly glossy, with stiff, well-aligned barbs; surface wear appears limited.

Probably from the wing: the elongated, asymmetric form and saturated flight-feather bands support this placement.

The exceptional length and sharply contrasting blue, red-orange and pale bands are the most striking clues. Identification to species remains uncertain because several macaws have similarly vivid flight feathers.

Red-and-green Macaws inhabit humid lowland tropical forest, gallery forest and woodland, often near rivers and clay licks; they nest in large tree cavities.

Resident in parts of northern and central South America, including the Amazon Basin and adjacent regions; distribution is patchy and local.

Macaws disperse seeds and serve as prey for large predators, while depending on mature trees for nesting. Habitat loss and trapping threaten populations; conservation status varies across their range.

Scarlet Macaw feathers can show red, yellow and blue, while Blue-and-yellow Macaw feathers are mainly yellow and blue. Green-winged Macaws typically show green between red and blue on the wing; this specimen’s pattern alone is not conclusive.

Macaws have strong, dexterous feet and powerful bills for opening hard seeds and nuts. They may gather at mineral-rich clay licks, where clay ingestion is thought to help with dietary toxins.

Macaw feathers have cultural importance to Indigenous communities in parts of South America. Trade in wild-caught parrots and feathers has contributed to population pressures; possession and trade may be regulated, so do not assume a found feather is legal to keep.

Photograph both sides beside a scale and note the collection location; compare the full band sequence with documented macaw wing feathers. Avoid collecting feathers where local wildlife laws prohibit it.

Appears intact and in good condition, with no obvious breakage, severe fading or parasitic damage; freshness cannot be judged confidently from the photograph.