Hyacinth Macaw

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

The Hyacinth Macaw is a stunning member of the Parrot family that can be found in parts of Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. They are the longest Parrots in the world, and the largest flying species. But they do not take the top prize for heaviest- that honor of course goes to our flightless Kakapo friends.

You can tell you are looking at a Hyacinth due to its vibrant blue coloration accented by yellow around the eyes and beak. There is another parrot species, the Lears Macaw, that has the same colors but a much smaller in size.

Hyacinth Macaws might look like jungle dwelling birds, but they are actually more common in grasslands and semi-wooded areas. They feed on different types of seed and nut, using their strong bills to crack them open. But interestingly, there are some palm nuts that the Macaws will eat only after they have soften... by going through the digestive tracts of livestock.

Hyacinth Macaws are an endangered species, and are protected by law in Bolivia and Brazil. Their commercial export is also banned through CITES Appendix I, but that hasn't completely stopped illegal traders from snatching them from the wild. Their size and coloration has made them very sought after in the pet industry, and can be legally purchased, though they sell for as much as $10,000.

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IUCN Status : Endangered

Location : South America
Size : Length up to 3.3ft (1m), Weight up to 3.5lbs (1.6kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Psittaciformes
Family : Psittacidae -- Genus : Anodorhynchus -- Species : A. hyacinthinus