Hyacinth Macaw |
|
|
Also known as: Hyacinthine Macaw, Blue Macaw, Black Macaw
Did You Know?
The Hyacinth Macaw takes palm nuts from the ground out of cattle dung. The nuts are consumed by the cattle and pass through undigested.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinusSpecies Profile
Genus: Anodorhynchus | Species: hyacinthinus
Size:
90-100cm (35-39 in)
Weight:
1200-1450g (42-50.75 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
one
Colour Adult:
Both adults purple/blue body colour; slightly darker on wings, paler on head. Bill grey/black. Eye ring bare, yellow. Moon-shaped lappet surrounding base of mandible yellow. Eye dark brown.
Colour Juvenile:
As in adult but with shorter tail, and eye ring and lappets paler.
Call:
Loud croaking and screeching notes, warning cry harsh and loud. Call sometimes two staccato notes with brief pause before repeating. While roosting will also scold, yap and growl, also deep purring. Flocks produce prodigious noise.
Listen NowVideo Links:
Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3More 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 89176, Hyacinth Macaw Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Marantz, Curtis, Mato Grosso, Brazil, Jan. 6 1998, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Plan 2000-2004, Snyder, McGowan, Gilardi and Grajal, 2000.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989. 2010 edition
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Psittacine Aviculture, Schubot, Clubb and Clubb, 1992.
Did You Know?
The Hyacinth Macaw takes palm nuts from the ground out of cattle dung. The nuts are consumed by the cattle and pass through undigested.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinusSpecies Care
Captive Status:
Rare until 1970's then increased greatly in 1980's due to increased breeding.
Longevity:
30-50 yrs or more.
Housing:
Should have access to a large enclosure at least 15m (50 ft) for at least part of the year; keeping permanently indoors not recommended.
Diet:
Soaked or sprouted sunflower seed; nuts including: walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, pine nuts; vegetables and fruit such as: corn on the cob, banana, orange, apple and others, and if possible, palm fruits. Complete kibble for macaws.
Enrichment:
Are vigorous chewers, so provide plenty of bird-safe, unsprayed woods such as fir, pine, willow, and elder; heat sterilized pine cones, large wooden or vegetable tanned leather toys.
Nest Box Size:
Barrel, 21in x 36in in size
Clutch Size:
2
Incubation Time:
28 days
Fledging Age:
14 weeks
Hatch Weight:
22g (0.7 oz)
Peak Weight:
1236g (43.3 oz)
Weaning Weight:
1200-1215g (42-42.5 oz)
Did You Know?
The Hyacinth Macaw takes palm nuts from the ground out of cattle dung. The nuts are consumed by the cattle and pass through undigested.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinusSpecies Wild Status
World Population:
6500
IUCN Red List Status:
Vulnerable
CITES Listing:
Appendix I
Threat Summary:
Very heavy trapping for trade (was reduced to an estimated 3000 birds during the period 1970–1990), some local hunting for food and feathers, and the loss of nest sites to poaching and agriculture.
Range:
Three isolated groups in C South America: NE Brazil, central E Brazil, S central Brazil to Bolivia and N Paraguay.
Habitat:
Occurs in wide range of areas rich in nut-bearing species of trees and shrubs; in Amazonian Brazil avoids continuous humid forest. In dry areas inhabits plateau country with rocky, steep valleys with deciduous woodland, gallery forest and Mauritia palm swamp. Also in pantanal region in gallery forest with palm groves.
Wild Diet:
Eats nuts of many palms including: Maximiliana, Orbignya, Astrocaryum as well as Syagrus, Scheelea and Acrocomia spp.; other fruits and Pomacea molluscs taken as well.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Found generally in pairs, family groups or small flocks of up to 10, noisy and conspicuous. Peak foraging activity in morning or late afternoon.
Clutch and Egg Size:
2 eggs, 53 x 40mm (2 x 1.5 in)
Breeding Season:
July-December. Nests in tree cavity in lower Amazon and Pantanal; in NE Brazil nests in cliffs.
Related Links:
Research: Preliminary observations of tool use in captive Hyacinth Macaws
Did You Know?
The Hyacinth Macaw takes palm nuts from the ground out of cattle dung. The nuts are consumed by the cattle and pass through undigested.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinusMembers Only Resources
Please log-in now to find more research, resources and tools.
Not a Member?
Find more great information:
Gain exclusive access to 600+ pages of additional research, seminars and podcasts, specialists to ask your toughest questions, and dozens of other fun resources - when you become a WPT member.
Join Today >>
Already a Member?
Encyclopedia
