Wow!, is all I can say as I began studying the significance of scientific names and the history envolved. Every bird in the world is classified by a Scientific name that is recognized internationally. Since common names can vary for the same bird it seems the only logical way to identify certain species of birds or Macaws in literature or conversation world wide.
Macaw facts-species
The family of large macaws are divided into two seperate genera. The most common macaws are listed under the genera Ara.... the Blue and Gold: Ara ararauna, the Greenwinged: Ara chloroptera, the Millitary: Ara militaris, the Scarlet: Ara macao, the Blue throated: Ara caninde (has recently been changed to Ara glaucogularis), the red fronted: Ara rubrogenys, and the Buffons: Ara ambiguus. Interestingly the Hyacinth is of another genus: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, also the Lears Macaw Anodorhynchus leari. Interesting to note, these two macaws do not have the bare facial patch with feather tracts that the Ara genus have. The bare face is a significant physical characteristic of "macaws." Just interesting I guess ... I'm not challenging their placement in the species family of macaws.
Macaw-scientific name-origin
The genus "Ara" is dirivative of the Tupi Indians language that populated "Brazil" as it is known today. Apparently the word ara is indicative of their loud call araaaa!! Tribes of these indians still exist today living in the Amazon rain forest.
The root of the genus "Anadorhynchus"at this time still evades me but the indians actually called them arara preta, which translates to black macaw. They appear black in low light which is probably how they appear under the forest canopy.
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