Aracanga

/ˌɑːrəˈkɑːŋɡə/ noun

Definition

A variant spelling or closely related macaw species to the aracana, a large South American parrot.

Etymology

From Tupi 'ara' (macaw) with variation in the second syllable, possibly 'canga' (a color or harness). Used in 16th-18th century natural history texts.

Kelly Says

Aracanga and aracana are so similar because early naturalists were struggling to name New World birds they'd never seen—these Tupi words got translated and spelled differently by different explorers!

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