Range

South America is the native home of the hyacinth macaw. Here they can be found through Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay.

Their population is decreasing across the majority of their range and they have become severely fragmented. In a range of areas they have become locally extinct.

Habitat

They make their home in forests, swamps, savannas and grasslands.

Reproduction

Hyacinth macaws nest between July and December. They are a monogamous species and a pair will spend their entire lives together.

A nest is formed in a tree cavity or cliff. Their tree hollows typically sit between 4 and 14m (13-46ft) off the ground.

In to the nest a female lays two eggs though it is unusual for both to reach fledging. These eggs are incubated for between 25 and 28 days. The female is primarily responsible for incubation with the male providing her with food.

They face a range of predators including coatis, skunks and birds. A major predator of eggs is the toucan. Toucans are one of the main seed dispersers for their favored nesting tree though.

After hatching the chicks are fed with regurgitated food.

It takes them 13 weeks to fledge though they remain with the parents for 1.5 years.

Hyacinth macaws take between 2 and 4 years to reach sexual maturity.

Behaviour

Their loud call sounds like ‘kraaa.’

Most of their time is spent with their partner though they have been seen travelling in small flocks.

When in flight their speed can reach up to 56km/h (35mph).

A majority of their activity is undertaken in the morning and early afternoon.

Predators and Threats

They face predation as adults from snakes and hawks.

Humans are a major contributor to the decline of the hyacinth macaw. One main cause of this is collection for the pet trade. While trade in wild birds is now illegal many people still smuggle them for black market trade. At its peak in the 1980s 10,000 birds were taken from the wild.

Habitat loss is also a contributor to their decline. This is occurring both to clear land for agriculture and as a result of fires.

Quick facts

The hyacinth macaw is also known as the blue macaw.

These parrots are able to problem solve and their intelligence has been compared to that of a toddler. Some basic tool use behavior has been exhibited including using a leaf to stop nuts they are trying to eat slipping.