Smallest macaw

The smallest species of macaw is the red-shouldered macaw Diopsittaca nobilis, which is the only member of its genus and is native to Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and other regions of northern South America. A popular pet species on account of its small size and docile temperament, it measures no more than 30 cm long and weighs a mere 165 g, thereby making it no larger than some conure parakeets. Accordingly, in the pet industry this species is often dubbed the mini-macaw.

This species is split into two recognized subspecies, with a possible third (with slightly longer wings) still awaiting full scientific recognition but dubbed D. n. longipennis. The two recognized subspecies are comparable in size, but can be distinguished by the colour of the upper mandible of their beak. In the noble macaw D. n. cumanensis, it is horn-coloured, whereas in Hahn's macaw D. n. nobilis, it is black.