Hyacinth macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
Introduction
The hyacinth macaw, also known as the blue macaw, is the largest parrot in the world and one of the most striking birds in South America. It can reach a remarkable lifespan, exceeding 40 years in the wild and living for more than 60 years under human care. Its deep cobalt-blue plumage, together with the distinctive yellow rings around the eyes and at the base of the beak, makes it unmistakable.
Beyond its size, it plays a fundamental ecological role, particularly as a disperser of palm seeds.
WEIGHT
1.435 – 1.695 g
DIET
Primarily herbivorous (granivorous)
ORIGIN
South America
INCUBATION
27 – 30 days
PESO
Entre 1.435 y 1.695 g
ALIMENTACIÓN
Principalmente herbívora (granívora)
ORIGEN
América del Sur
INCUBACIÓN
27 – 30 días
Facts about the hyacinth macaw
The hyacinth macaw stands out for its large size and powerful beak, one of the strongest among birds, capable of cracking exceptionally hard fruits. Its plumage is entirely blue, with a violet hue on the wings, while the orbital ring and lower mandible are yellow, creating a strong contrast.
Like other parrots, it has zygodactyl feet, enabling it to handle food with precision. Juveniles have shorter tails and paler plumage.
Its presence in aviculture is limited, as it requires highly specific care conditions, being managed only by specialists and accredited institutions.
Diet
It is a species that feeds primarily on the fleshy fruits of various palm species native to the regions it inhabits. For example, in the Amazon region, it shows a preference for species such as Maximiliana regia and Orbignya martiana, while in the Pantanal it feeds on Acrocomia totai and Scheelea phalerata. In the northeastern part of its range, where most foraging takes place on the ground, it favours species such as Syagrus coronata and Attalea funifera. However, the hyacinth macaw is also capable of husking smaller seeds such as millet and panicum.
In some cases, it may consume other fruits, and it has even been documented feeding on certain species of snails.
This species relies heavily, in certain areas, on Sterculia apetala, whose seeds are dispersed in 83% of cases by the toco toucan, which at the same time acts as the main nest predator in the Pantanal.
Lifestyle
It is a diurnal, social and intelligent species that typically moves in pairs or small family groups. It maintains stable pair bonds and communicates through deep, powerful vocalisations.
Seasonally, it may undertake long movements between feeding and resting areas, linked to the biological cycles of palm species.
Reproduction
This species does not reach sexual maturity until approximately 10 years of age. It forms monogamous pairs that may remain together for life. It nests in natural cavities in large trees, such as the manduvi (Sterculia apetala). It may also nest in dead palms and trunks, provided they are large enough, while in north-eastern Brazil it nests on cliffs.
The female typically lays two eggs (although sometimes only one), and both parents take part in incubation and chick rearing. The nestling period is prolonged, lasting between 105 and 110 days.
Geographic distribution and habitat
The hyacinth macaw is distributed across South America and is native to Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, particularly in regions such as the Cerrado, Caatinga and Pantanal.
It favours edges of humid tropical forests, as well as savannas with palms, dry forests with gallery forests and palm groves. It can tolerate a certain degree of human-induced degradation.
Threats to the population
Unfortunately, this species faces serious threats that endanger its conservation and its presence within the ecosystems it inhabits. The hyacinth macaw suffered a sharp population decline due to illegal capture for the pet trade and habitat loss, although its population trend is currently stable.
According to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is currently classified as Vulnerable (VU). Despite signs of recovery in some areas, deforestation and wildfires remain significant threats, reducing the availability of trees with suitable nesting cavities.
Conservation status
- Population status (IUCN): Vulnerable (VU)
- Population trend: Stable
Hyacinth macaw photos
Interesting facts about the hyacinth macaw
The largest flying parrot in the world
At nearly one metre in length, it is the largest of all macaws and the biggest parrot species in existence today.
A specialist in hard fruits
Its beak exerts extraordinary force, allowing it to open extremely hard nuts that other species cannot consume.
How we help conserve macaws
As an animal embassy, Loro Parque participates in international conservation and breeding programmes for threatened parrots. Through supporting protection projects in their natural habitats — including initiatives in Brazil and Bolivia for the conservation of the hyacinth macaw — collaboration in research and environmental education, we contribute to species protection and raise awareness of the threats they face.
If you would like to get involved in protecting threatened species, you can take part in our sponsorship programme by supporting species and conservation projects.
Download our encyclopaedia
As part of our educational and awareness work on biodiversity, we have developed an encyclopaedia about cetaceans. This comprehensive document offers scientific data and insights into their behaviour, as well as the myths and facts surrounding these fascinating animals.
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