Blue-headed Macaw |
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Also known as: Coulon's Macaw
Blue-headed Macaws at clay lick
© Luiz Claudio Marigo
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The Blue-headed Macaw is not usually found in flocks, but in pairs or family trios.Programs & Projects
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Related publications: Primolius couloniSpecies Profile
Genus: Primolius | Species: couloni
Size:
40-41cm (15.6-16 in)
Weight:
207-294g.
Subspecies including nominate:
one
Colour Adult:
Both adults medium-sized, mostly green, blue head, face bare, blue/grey and dark with fine lines of feathers; tail brown/red with green part way to tip. Bill grey/black. Eye yellow.
Colour Juvenile:
As in adult but with shorter tail, horn coloured bill. Eye grey.
Call:
Quiet, purring call while in flight; soft nasal slightly rasping notes; shrieks and squawks less raucous than Blue-winged Macaw.
Listen NowVideo Links:
Video 1 | Video 2More Information:
Content Sources:
CITES
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
ML Media Collection Catalogue 17855, Blue-headed Macaw Primolius couloni, Parker, Theodore A., III, Huanuco, Peru, Jul. 16 1978.
Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Plan 2000-2004, Snyder, McGowan, Gilardi and Grajal, 2000.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1977, 1989.
Lexicon of Parrots, Thomas Arndt.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Blue-headed Macaws at clay lick
© Luiz Claudio Marigo
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Blue-headed Macaw is not usually found in flocks, but in pairs or family trios.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Primolius couloniSpecies Care
Captive Status:
Extremely rare
Longevity:
Not recorded.
Housing:
An enclosure at least 3m (9.8 ft) long if indoors, with access to 15m (49 ft) outdoor flight if possible.
Diet:
Seed mix such as: sunflower, safflower, millet, canary, oats; pine nuts; dried mountain ash (rowan) berries; fruit such as: apple, pear, banana, orange, cactus fruits; vegetables such as: carrot, celery, green peas and beans, corn on the cob; green leaves such as: Swiss chard, kale, dandelion, chickweed; eggfood and calcium supplements during breeding; complete pellet for macaws.
Enrichment:
Provide lots of chew branches, sterilized pine cones, and other bird-safe chew items (ie: vegetable tanned leather toys); overhead misters or shallow water bowls for bathing.
Nest Box Size:
Diagonal nest box 22cm x 40cm x 30cm (8.6 x 15.6 x 11.7 in).
Clutch Size:
3 to 4
Incubation Time:
26 days
Fledging Age:
12 weeks
Hatch Weight:
Not recorded.
Peak Weight:
Not recorded.
Weaning Weight:
Not recorded.
Blue-headed Macaws at clay lick
© Luiz Claudio Marigo
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Blue-headed Macaw is not usually found in flocks, but in pairs or family trios.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Primolius couloniSpecies Wild Status
World Population:
10,000-70,000
IUCN Red List Status:
Vulnerable
CITES Listing:
Appendix I
Threat Summary:
Not considered a conservation priority until 21st century, as a lack of reliable population data has made accurate assessment difficult: a thorough analysis of existing data, however, led to reclassification in 2009 as Vulnerable, down from Endangered. Reported as uncommon to rare but can be locally common, especially around settlements. Appears to not be affected adversely by patchwork forest clearance. Trapping, although illegal, is increasing.
Range:
E Peru to W Brazil; N Bolivia, east of Andes and south to 14 latitude.
Habitat:
Found 150-1300m (492-4264 ft); upper tropical forests in disturbed or partly open areas with birds mostly occuring at forest edge along rivers, clearings and forested settled areas. Also in swampy habitats.
Wild Diet:
Not recorded.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Not very gregarious, instead found in pairs or threes. Possibly seasonally nomadic.
Clutch and Egg Size:
3-4 eggs
Breeding Season:
Young birds seen with adults in April.
Related Links:
Wikipedia
Research: Distribution, ecology and conservation status of the Blue-headed Macaw
Blue-headed Macaws at clay lick
© Luiz Claudio Marigo
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Blue-headed Macaw is not usually found in flocks, but in pairs or family trios.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Primolius couloniMembers Only Resources
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