The 18 species of macaw include the largest and most colorful members of the parrot family.
All macaws are tropical and are exclusive to the new world.
Like all parrots, macaws are distinguished by a distinctive bill with a downward curving and somewhat hooked upper mandible which fits neatly over a smaller, upward curving lower mandible. The upper mandible is quite mobile and provides great leverage. They have feet in which the two outer toes point backwards and grip in opposition to the two forward pointing inner toes. This provides an extremely powerful grasp and they use their feet like hands for holding and manipulating objects close to the bill. Ara have a bare facial patch.