The Hyacinth Macaw is a personal favourite. I developed a big interest in macaws, and I find this species unmatchable. The yellow skin around their beaks make them look like they’re always smiling, and I think that’s why the Hyacinth Macaw is probably the most beloved parrot species in the world. At least for me…
It is the largest macaw and also the largest flying parrot in the world. This bird measures around 100cm from head to tail, and each wing is the same width of a Ringneck Parrot.
Hyacinth Macaw couple – Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
Its exquisiteness makes it one of the most sought after animals in the world. Back in the 80s, that lead to overcollection for cage bird trade, making the Hyacinth Macaw an endangered species. It’s estimated that, around that time, about 10000 of these birds were captured in the wild for pet trading. There were other factors that also caused the massive decline of the Hyacinth Macaw population, namely the development of agriculture in its natural habitats and hunting by local indians for food and feathers. There was an estimated population of only 2500 birds in the wild by the end of the 1980s.
Fortunately, a few organizations started taking part in the conservation of the species right at the time the hyacinth macaw was told to be extinct in the wild in a few decades. This concern made the population grow again quickly, closing to the numbers existent prior to the 80s “crash”.
Most of these conservation projects are centered in the region of the Pantanal, Brazil, where we can find the biggest concentration of these birds in the wild. Apart from Brazil, the Hyacinth Macaw can also be found in small regions of adjacent countries Bolivia and Paraguay.
Hyacinth Macaw video
Hyacinth Macaw facts
Binomial name: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
Scientific classification:
Family: Psittacidae
Sub-family: Arinae
Tribe: Arini
Genus: Anodorhynchus
Subspecies: none
Conservation status: endangered
Diet: native palm nuts, such as acuri and bocaiuva
Natural habitat: Brazil’s Pantanal region, and neighbouring Bolivia and Paraguay
Sexual dimorphism: none. Hyacinth Macaw parrots can only be sexed through a DNA analysis
Size: around 100cm
Average lifespan: 60 to 80 years
Hello. I am a beginner artist +would like to please know if I could get permission to paint from some of your parrot pictures. I am currently interested in painting a hyacinth macaw. thank you for considering my request.