As Salmon Fly tiers we often tie flies that call for Macaw. The feathers most commonly used come from Ara ararauna (Blue and Yellow Macaw) and Ara Macao (Scarlet Macaw). The most common usage is for horns followed by strips in the wing, and/or veiling at the tail. Occasionally body feathers may be used as hackles, but that will not be discussed here.

The feather most commonly used of all contour feathers [Those feathers that constitute the ordinarily visible plumage and include flight feathers, tail feathers, ear-coverts, tail-coverts and feathers on other parts of the body] are the central tail feathers, of which there are two, a definite right and a definite left.

To differentiate between them on the A. ararauna is generally easy by color alone. Due to more consistent color in the body of the feather on A. Macao, determining right from left requires more careful observation. Often with the blue and yellow feather of A. ararauna the leading edge will be a bit more turquoise in color with the trailing edge more blue. What always holds true in any Macaw is something found at the proximal most barbs on the feather. As one holds the bird's right feather face side up (the blue side of A. ararauna) with the tip pointing away, it will be noted that the barbs attached to the shaft nearest the quill and on the right will be shorter and grayish, or pale in color. This is the trailing edge. The leading edge will be on the left with barbs more colorful, longer, and having more substance.

As a rule, trailing edge barbs up in the body of the feather will not only be longer, but also less curled than the leading edge barbs. When using Macaw tail barbs for horns, due to the unequalness of length and shape, it is advisable for consistency in tying to not only work from a pair of feathers, using barbs from either the leading or trailing edges, but do not mix them. Also, always select Macaw tail barbs from similar locations up and down the feather for any use. This helps maintain consistent shape and diameter from root to tip.

Feathers often overlooked are the Macaw lateral (side) tail feathers. Those most adjacent to the central tail feathers will be the largest with the most usable quantity of color and length of barbs. Size of a feather is the best determining factor for matching a pair, but when more than a single bird's feathers are mixed into the selection it becomes more difficult. Right and left are more obvious on lateral feathers, but the same tests used to determine the side a central feather came from can be used here. Lateral feathers do differ from central feathers not only in feather length, but also in that the barbs produce a flatter feather. The only curve is a natural, downward, curve on the leading edge nearer the root (sometimes extending to the tip) of the feather. There is an associated reverse curve on the trailing edge, only going part way to the feather tip.

The lateral feathers are regrettably often times ignored by the fly tier. Once the reverse curve on the trailing edge ends, a well colored, very long and useful barb begins. These are superior in application on a wing due to the flatness of the barbs as well as excellent marry-ability of the barbules. A possible disadvantage will be noticed when a strip of barbs is cut away from the feather; the tips of the barbs form a very extreme angle similar to Golden Pheasant lateral tail feathers. This angle is adjusted is desired by the same methods used to adjust any such feather. For instance, by downward or reverse humping the strip and stroking to square the angle; or by remarrying each of the barbs individually. Also, when longer barbs are required than a central tail feather can supply, or when a more two dimensional fly is desired, the trailing edge barbs of lateral tail feathers will be most useful.