macaw

American  

[muh-kaw] / məˈkɔ /

noun

1. any of various large, long-tailed parrots of tropical and subtropical America, noted for their brilliant plumage and distinctive light-colored facial patches: of the six macaw genera, Ara includes the most familiar and greatest number of species, while Cyanopsitta has just one species, C. spixii Spix's macaw, a small, blue macaw, now classified as possibly extinct in the wild.

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macaw British  

/ məˈkɔː /

noun

1. any large tropical American parrot of the genera Ara and Anodorhynchus, having a long tail and brilliant plumage

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Etymology

Origin of macaw

First recorded in 1620–30; from Portuguese macao, macau, probably from macaúba from Tupi macahuba, equivalent to maca “palm” + ybá “tree”

Example Sentences

Last year, two Spix’s macaw chicks were born in freedom — the first ones in decades— but they didn’t survive.

From Seattle Times • May 28, 2024

Mango the macaw flew out of a window at the site in Great Barr, Sandwell, following a clap of thunder on Sunday.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2023

“That’s not nice,” she scolded after one macaw nipped at the other’s tail feathers.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2023

Among the valuable trading goods produced at Casas Grandes were colorful macaw feathers commonly used in Anasazi rituals.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Known as French John, he carried away Dolley Madison’s bird, a prized macaw, and left her beloved pet safely at the French ambassador’s residence.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis