Hyacinth Macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
- Family
- African and New World Parrots (Psittacidae)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
Overview
The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), or hyacinthine macaw, is a large parrot native to central and eastern South America. With a length (from the top of its head to the tip of its long pointed tail) of about one meter it is longer than any other species of parrot. It is the largest macaw and the largest flying parrot species. While generally easily recognized, it could be confused with the smaller Lear's macaw. Habitat loss and the trapping of wild birds for the pet trade have taken a heavy toll on their population in the wild, so the species is classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, and it is protected by its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Diet: Palm nuts.
How to identify it
- The longest parrot: all cobalt blue
- Yellow eye-ring and yellow skin at the base of the lower bill
- Powerful black bill cracks palm nuts
Voice
Loud guttural screeches.
Where to see it
- Pantanal, Brazil
Destination guides featuring this bird
Similar species
- Lear's Macaw
- smaller with a greener tinge; north-east Brazil only
Range and habitat
Interior southern Brazil, far northwestern Paraguay, and adjacent eastern Bolivia.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Hyacinth macaw
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
