Details
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
The hyacinth macaw is a large parrot of open woodland and wetland edges in South America. Diurnal pairs maintain strong bonds.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses palm savanna, gallery forest, wetland woodland, and edges. Large cavities or cliff holes and reliable nut-bearing palms are important.
Wingspan is about 110-120 cm and weight about 1.2-1.7 kg. Deep blue plumage, yellow bare skin patches, and a massive bill are distinctive.
Active by day, it travels in pairs or small groups. Loud calls keep contact as birds move between regular roosts and feeding sites.
It is herbivorous, feeding mainly on palm nuts and hard seeds. The powerful bill cracks shells to reach the kernel inside.
Pairs nest in large cavities and care for chicks for a long period. Suitable nest sites are limited and may be contested.
Its status is listed as Vulnerable. Habitat change and capture pressure make protection of large trees and food plants important.
