It was on 28 June 1993 that the Red Macaw, or Ara Macao as it is scientifically known, was declared the national bird of Honduras, in accordance with Executive Decree No. 36-93 of the National Congress of Honduras. A species with vivid colours in its plumage and honoured for its importance in the country. The Scarlet Macaw lives in wild areas between southern Mexico and the Amazon in Brazil. In Honduras they inhabit the mountainous regions of the departments of Atlántida, Colón, Olancho and Gracias a Dios.

It was a bird prized by ancient civilisations, as evidenced by its presence in Mayan monuments, and the department of Copán has many representations of the macaw. Its beautiful red feathers were used to decorate the costumes, jewellery and shields of rulers.