What Are The Predators and Enemies of Macaws?

Last Updated on February 8, 2022

In the wild, all parrots fight for their survival. Larger birds feed on smaller ones and get their meal.  Parrots are also the food of other birds. Is it surprising that there are predators who eat parrots? How about macaws?

Predators of macaws are larger birds like hawks, eagles, falcons, and toucans. Snakes, jaguars, and monkeys are the animals who prey on macaws occasionally. Bats and some humans eat parrots as a part of their meals. Some predators attack adults and some on eggs/babies, depending upon their preferences.

Macaws are preyed upon by other birds and animals. Therefore, you must be aware of the birds that eat macaws. Which animals eat macaws? Are there any mammals that prey on macaws? Why do they do so? How can they escape from predators? Check out this article to find answers to all the questions above. 

Besides that, you can read how a macaw can escape from its predators and minimize the threats to its natural survival.

What Birds Prey on Macaws?

Some larger birds in the forests catch wild macaws to take it as a part of their meal. These birds include;

Hawks

Hawks eat macaws as their primary feed. The most intelligent bird is also known as a violent prey bird. They are good hunters because of their sharp vision and natural woodland habitat. They start hunting the birds as soon as they become independent in 4-6 weeks. The hawk kills its prey with its claws instead of a beak. That is why known as a violent predator.

Eagles

They are powerful birds of prey and hunt macaws in open forests and woodlands. They catch the parrots, including macaws, during flight. Usually, they grab prey without landing and take flight with it. Carry the target to a perch and eat it.

Ornate hawk eagles, black and white eagles, and the harpy eagle catch larger birds like a green-winged macaw, especially in their nesting season.

Falcons

Like hawks and eagles, they are also birds of prey and known as good hunters because of their high speed and sharp vision. They also eat macaws as a part of their meal. They have thin, tapered wings that help them to fly at high speed. They can find their prey even from long distances. Unlike hawks and eagles, they eat the target by using their beaks instead of claws.

Toucans

They eat smaller birds like macaws. They have long and colorful beaks. With the help of this, they hunt the eggs of smaller birds from their nests.

Which Animals Eat Macaws?

Jaguars and monkeys can eat macaws as a part of their diet because of their wild habitat. Monkeys have a firm grip and can eat parrots, including macaws. Larger birds are not at risk because they can escape and fly away, while baby macaws and eggs are at high risk. Monkeys live on trees, so they eat the macaws occasionally as a source of protein, fat, minerals, and other nutrients.

Big cats like jaguars also feed on baby macaws. But it is not common because they can find other birds and smaller animals in their natural habitat for predation.

Can A Mammal Prey on Macaws?

Bat is the only mammal that is capable of taking large flights. They can prey on birds during flights. Vampire bats also target macaws while they are sleeping, piercing their bodies, biting them, and licking their blood with their tongues.

Can Humans Eat Parrots?

It is not common, but few studies show that some native people in the amazon hunt different parrot species and eat them.

How Do Parrots Escape From Predators?

Macaws can sense the danger by their vision and intelligence. To avoid predators they;

• fly away
• Communicate with the flock by producing sounds
• defend themselves with their powerful beaks
• Hide through camouflage

Conclusion

Hence, macaws are very careful and intelligent, which makes them very cautious. They move in groups and behave in ways to minimize their risk of being captured by predators. The macaws are highly arboreous and spend most of their time flying above the tallest trees. Eagles, hawks, and falcons are the large birds most likely prey on adult parrots and macaws. Monkeys and snakes eat the eggs and babies of macaws. Macaws can save them by flying away from the predator through vocalizations, biting with curved beaks, and camouflage.

Also Read About: How Can We Protect Macaws and Stop Their Depopulation?