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THE PARROT SPECIES FIELD GUIDE · Psittacidae

Red-shouldered Macaw

Diopsittaca nobilis

Meet the red-shouldered macaw: its taxonomic place, natural range and conservation record.

Red-shouldered Macaw — Diopsittaca nobilis
Red-shouldered Macaw
SPECIES NOTES

A closer look.

Scientific names follow AviList v2025b. Read the taxonomy and source notes for changes in classification.

About this species

The red-shouldered macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) is a small green South American parrot, a member of a large group of Neotropical parrots called macaws. The species is named for the red coverts on its wings. It is the smallest macaw, being 30 cm (12 in) in length – similar in size to the Aratinga parakeets. It is native to the tropical lowlands, savannahs, and swamplands of Brazil, the Guianas, Bolivia, Venezuela, and far south-eastern Peru. There are three subspecies: The noble macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis cumanensis), Hahn's macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis nobilis), and the long-winged macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis longipennis).

Conservation record

AviList v2025b records this species as not evaluated. Assessments and taxonomy can change; follow the source checklist for updates.

Sources & image credit

Names, family, range and conservation record: AviList Core Team (2026), AviList v2025b, CC BY 4.0. Species summary: Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0. Length, weight and longevity when listed: World Parrot Trust species account.

Image: derivative work: Snowmanradio ( talk ) Diopsittaca_nobilis_-pet-2.jpg : The original uploader was Evenprime at English Wikipedia .. Photo by Walter Maier. Picture of family pet. Original file and full credit · CC BY-SA 3.0. Display size and encoding adjusted.