Scarlet Macaw - Ara macao
Florida's Exotic Wildlife. Species detail.
First year: 1980's
Extirpated year:
Established status: Species are present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.
Estimated Florida range: 5 counties Not reported breeding
Statewide trend: Unknown status
Threats to natives: Members of the parrot family carry Newcastle disease, identified in 1971, which can infect native songbirds, game birds, domestic chickens and turkeys, and other exotic bird species. The native bird species can be infected by smuggled exotic birds and birds not properly quarantined that are released into the wild. This species also breeds in cavities which might limit the number available to native cavity nesters.
Species Account: Native to Mexico and South America. The sightings in Florida are escaped caged birds.
Habitats: Central or core urban area.
| County |
First Year |
Extirpated Year |
Breeding status |
Notes |
| Broward |
1980's |
|
Not reported breeding |
(B. Pranty, 2001 unpublished data) |
| Dade |
1980's |
|
Not reported breeding |
|
| Hillsborough |
1993 |
|
Not reported breeding |
1 adult (Pranty 1993b) |
| Lake |
2003 |
|
Not reported breeding |
Reported by Steve Christman, flying across US 27 |
| Pasco |
1980's |
|
Not reported breeding |
(B. Pranty, 2001 unpublished data) |
References
Pranty, B. 1993b. Field observations [spring report: March-May 1993]. Florida Field Naturalist 21:121-128.
Pranty, B., and S. Epps. In preparation. The exotic parrot fauna of Broward County.
Robertson, W. B., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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