Macaws are only one type of bird in the broad order of parrots. There are more than 350 different birds in the parrot family, and though there are many differences between them, all have curved beaks and four toes on each foot. There are 17 species of macaws, but there is no "grey macaw."
Macaw Life
Although a macaw is a parrot, a parrot isn't a macaw. Instead, this brightly plumed fellow joins Amazons, lovebirds, cockatoos and other birds to comprise the parrot family. Among the 17 varieties of macaws in the world, many of them are named for their brightly colored feathers, including the hyacinth macaw, the blue and gold macaw and the red and yellow macaw. A number of species of macaw are at risk for extinction, due to habitat loss and being illegally trapped for the pet trade. A macaw's life span varies according to his breed, but generally a macaw in his natural environment may live up to 60 years.
Grey Parrot Life
Though he's related to the macaw, the African grey parrot has his own identifiers. He lacks the long tail feathers and bright plumage of his macaw relatives, and home is a different continent. However, both species of birds are intelligent, engaging animals, making them popular pets. The African grey parrot has a similar optimal lifespan of up to 60 years. Though he's not endangered as the macaw, his numbers are also in decline.
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