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Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) wildlife photograph

Field guide · rare

Hyacinth Macaw

The world's longest parrot — cobalt blue with a golden bare-eye ring, ruling Brazil's Pantanal skies.

Vulnerable

Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus

Overview

Hyacinth macaws are the giants of the parrot world: almost entirely cobalt blue, with bright yellow bare skin around the eyes and at the bill base. They crack palm nuts with immense beaks and nest in cliff or tree cavities across the Pantanal.

Distinct from the scarlet macaw already in Catch'Um, this is Brazil's blue showstopper.

Habitat

  • Palm savanna
  • Gallery woodland
  • Wetlands

Palm savannas, gallery woodland, and wetlands of central Brazil — especially the Pantanal — with nesting cavities and nut-bearing palms.

Countries found

Field notes

Field scale for the Hyacinth Macaw: length around 100 cm including tail; weight 1.2-1.7 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 30-50 years.

When you are scanning habitat, prioritise palm savanna, gallery woodland, and wetlands. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.

Quick ID anchor: Huge cobalt-blue macaw with yellow bare skin around the eye and lower bill. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.

Where to see one

  • Brazil

    In Brazil, start at Pantanal (Mato Grosso do Sul). The world's largest tropical wetland, with capybaras, jaguars, hyacinth macaws, and giant otters in open savanna.

    More context on this destination lives on the Brazil expedition page.

    Spotting guide for Hyacinth Macaw in Brazil

Diet

Palm nuts and other hard fruits cracked with a massive bill.

Also take seeds and some vegetation in wetland woodlands.

Behaviour

Usually seen in pairs or small family groups; loud raucous calls.

Nest in tree hollows or cliff cavities; slow breeders.

How to identify

Huge cobalt-blue macaw with yellow bare skin around the eye and lower bill.

Long tapered tail; much larger and bluer than other macaws.

Interesting facts

  1. 01

    The longest parrot species, measuring around a metre including the tail.

  2. 02

    Almost entirely cobalt blue with yellow facial skin.

  3. 03

    Powerful beaks crack hard palm nuts.

  4. 04

    Pairs are strongly bonded and nest in cavities.

  5. 05

    Best known from Brazil's Pantanal wetlands.

  6. 06

    Illegal pet trade once devastated wild flocks.

Conservation status

VU: Vulnerable

Hyacinth macaws are Vulnerable. Habitat loss and past trapping reduced numbers, though Pantanal protection and community projects have helped some populations rebound.

Sources: IUCN Red List

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Where it lives

Related discoveries

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