Severe Macaw

People usually come looking for “Severe Macaw” information for one of two reasons: they’re trying to identify a green macaw they’ve seen in an aviary or online listing, or they’re weighing up whether this species is a realistic long-term pet in Australia. The details matter. A macaw is not a weekend decision, and a few common myths (especially about size, range, and legality) can steer people badly off course.

The Severe Macaw (also called the Chestnut-fronted Macaw) is a compact, long-tailed macaw with a big voice and a powerful beak. Below is a clear, corrected overview of what the species is like in the wild, what it typically needs in captivity, and what to check before you buy or move one across borders.¹

Quick facts (corrected)

• Common names: Severe Macaw, Chestnut-fronted Macaw
• Scientific name: Ara severus
• Adult length: about 40–49 cm (a “mini macaw”, not a full-sized large macaw)¹
• Adult weight: roughly 307–387 g¹
• Typical lifespan: 30+ years in human care is often reported; individual longevity varies with genetics, diet, housing, and veterinary care¹
• Conservation status: listed as Least Concern globally (does not mean “no threats”)²
• Trade controls: listed under CITES Appendix II (international trade is regulated)³

Identification: what a Severe Macaw looks like

At a glance, a Severe Macaw reads as mostly green, but the closer view is where it becomes unmistakable: a chestnut-brown wash across the forehead and face, a bare facial patch with fine dark lines, red at the bend of the wing, and blue edging through the crown and tail tips. In good light, the underwing shows deeper orange-red tones when the bird lifts off or banks.¹

One persistent error is describing the species as a 90 cm macaw. That size belongs to the true large macaws; Ara severus is far smaller, though it carries itself with the same long-tailed silhouette and the same intent, pry-bar beak.¹

Habitat and range in the wild

Severe Macaws are Neotropical birds. They occur from Panama south into the Amazon basin and adjacent regions, with records spanning a broad sweep of northern South America (including Amazonian Brazil and Bolivia). They are typically associated with forested landscapes, but may also use edges and more open country where there are fruiting trees and safe roosts.²

They are not native to Australia. Any Severe Macaw seen here is a captive bird (or, very rarely, an escapee), not part of a natural Australian population.⁴

Diet and feeding behaviour

In the wild, macaws are built for hard plant foods. Their diet is dominated by fruits, seeds, and nuts, with seasonal shifts as trees and palms come into fruit. Like other parrots, they spend a large portion of the day moving, climbing, and handling food—using the beak as a third limb as much as a cutting tool.⁵

In captivity, the safest baseline is a formulated parrot diet (pellets) supported by daily vegetables and measured amounts of fruit and nuts. The goal is variety without letting energy-dense treats (especially fatty seed mixes) quietly become the main course. Fresh water, clean food surfaces, and predictable routines matter as much as the ingredient list.

Practical feeding notes for pet birds

• Pellets as the backbone, with vegetables offered daily.
• Fruit and nuts as controlled extras (use them for training and foraging).
• Foraging matters: hiding food in safe shreddable materials and puzzle feeders reduces boredom-driven behaviours.

Behaviour and social life

Severe Macaws are intensely social parrots. In the wild they are often seen in pairs or small groups, and their day is stitched together with contact calls, flight, feeding, and long bouts of chewing and preening. In captivity, that same wiring can look like clinginess, constant vocal contact, or frustration if the bird is isolated or understimulated.

They are widely described as loud. The sound is not random noise; it’s normal macaw communication—sharp, far-carrying calls that make sense in a forest canopy but can be difficult in close suburban housing.¹

Breeding and reproduction

In suitable habitat, Severe Macaws nest in cavities (often in large trees). Captive breeding is a specialist undertaking: it requires stable pair compatibility, correct nesting set-up, careful nutrition, and strong disease-prevention practices. World Parrot Trust references a clutch size commonly around 2–3 eggs for this species, with fledging around the 12-week mark in aviculture contexts.¹

If you are buying a young bird, ask direct questions about parentage, weaning approach, and veterinary screening. A “cheap” macaw with a poor start can become an expensive, ongoing welfare problem.

Care as a pet in Australia: the reality check

A Severe Macaw can be a deeply engaging companion, but it is not a low-maintenance parrot. The daily essentials are simple to list and demanding to deliver: space, flight time, chewing outlets, training, stable social contact, and avian veterinary support.

Minimum care expectations

• Housing: large, secure enclosure with room to climb and fully extend wings; macaws damage weak fittings quickly.
• Exercise: routine out-of-cage time in a safe space, plus climbing and foraging inside the enclosure.
• Enrichment: fresh chewables (bird-safe wood, leather, shreddable paper/cardboard), rotated often.
• Training: short, consistent sessions using positive reinforcement; this improves handling and reduces stress.
• Veterinary care: establish an avian vet early, before problems become urgent.

Threats and conservation: what “Least Concern” does and doesn’t mean

Globally, the species is assessed as Least Concern, which generally reflects its broad distribution and overall numbers. That label does not mean individual populations are untouched. Across much of the Neotropics, parrots face ongoing pressure from habitat loss and trapping, and these pressures can bite locally even when a species is not globally threatened.²

Internationally, Severe Macaws are listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning trade is regulated and should be traceable through permits where required.³

Legal and import notes for Australia (plain-language overview)

If you’re dealing with a Severe Macaw in Australia, the key point is that import and movement rules sit across multiple systems: biosecurity requirements (DAFF) and wildlife trade/environment requirements (DCCEEW, including CITES where relevant). Australia also limits which live species can be imported at all via the Live Import List.^{6, 7}

For pet birds, DAFF’s guidance stresses checking the Live Import List, the need for permits where applicable, and that import conditions can be strict and situation-specific (including eligibility pathways and documentation). Don’t rely on seller assurances—confirm through the relevant government channels before spending money or making travel plans.^{6, 8}

References

1. World Parrot Trust — Chestnut-fronted (Severe) Macaw (Ara severus) profile
2. BirdLife International Data Zone — Chestnut-fronted Macaw (Ara severus) species factsheet
3. CITES Species+ — Ara severus listing details
4. Los Angeles Zoo — Macaw overview (distribution and general biology)
5. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — Macaw overview (habitat, diet, behaviour)
6. DCCEEW (Australian Government) — Live Import List (what it is and how it works)
7. DCCEEW (Australian Government) — Do I need a wildlife trade/CITES permit?
8. DAFF (Australian Government) — Importing your pet bird (biosecurity steps and requirements)
9. DAFF (Australian Government) — Importing live animals and reproductive material (BICON and eligibility)