Hyacinth Macaw

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

The world's largest flying parrot faces a sobering future, with fewer than 4,300 of these brilliant blue giants left in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal trafficking.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest flying parrot species, boasting a striking cobalt blue plumage that covers most of its body. Its massive black beak and long tail are distinctive features, while a bright yellow eye ring and patch at the base of the lower mandible provide striking contrast.

Both males and females share identical colouration, making visual sex determination challenging. Juveniles resemble adults but have shorter tails and paler yellow facial patches.

Size

Length

95cm to 100cm

Wingspan

120cm to 140cm

Weight

1.2kg to 1.7kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Blue

Secondary Colour

Yellow

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Hyacinth Macaw can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Hyacinth Macaw is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Hyacinth Macaw can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Hyacinth Macaws are native to central and eastern South America, primarily found in Brazil's Pantanal region, eastern Bolivia, and northeastern Paraguay. They inhabit tropical savanna woodlands, palm groves, and semi-open areas with large trees for nesting.

These birds are non-migratory, maintaining relatively stable territories throughout the year. Their distribution is closely linked to the presence of specific palm species that provide their primary food source.

Elevation Range

Up to 800 meters

Climate zones

Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Hyacinth Macaw. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons