Guacamayo jacinto

En el zoológico

Zona de exploración

Fascinantes hechos

They feed primarily on palm nuts and as such, are important seed dispersers. Some species of palm nuts are so hard to crack that the macaws wait until it has passed through the digestive system of cattle before attempting to break open the nut. To crack nuts, their powerful beaks are capable of exerting pressure up to 400 pounds per square inch.

At SF Zoo, hyacinth macaw caretakers feed in shell macadamia nuts as an essential part of their diet, which they can crack with ease.

Características físicas

Hyacinth macaws are the longest parrot species in the world, with a length between 37 – 40 inches, half of which is made up of tail. Their wingspan is between 45 – 50 inches across and they weigh about 3.5 pounds.

Males and females are similar in appearance. They are bright blue in color, with darker blue coloration on the wings and a yellow patch of skin around the eye and at the base of the beak. The beak is black and curved and they can use it like an extra foot for grasping and climbing. They use their feet for climbing and for holding food items.

Their lifespan is unknown as it is so long, but thought to be at least 50 years.

Dieta

The majority of their diet is made up of palm nuts, but they also will occasionally eat sprouts, seeds or snails.

Hábitat

Hyacinth macaws are found around palm trees, in palm savannas, grasslands and dry forests, unlike other species of macaws.

Rango

There are three distinct ranges: one on the Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay border, one in east-central Brazil and one in the eastern Amazonia region of Brazil. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685516/93077457

Comportamiento social

Hyacinth macaws are social animals and are most active in the morning to mid-afternoon while foraging for food. At sunset they will fly from the feeding spot to the roosting spot to spend the night in the trees.

They are monogamous and will typically lay a clutch of 2 eggs in a cavity in a tree or cliff face, although typically only one chick will live to maturity. Chicks are preyed upon by coatis, jays and toucans. The chick will fledge at 13 weeks and will stay with its mother for up to 18 months. Hyacinth macaws become sexually mature between 6 – 10 years.

Situación en la naturaleza

IUCN – Vulnerable

Otros

Hyacinth macaws are threatened by habitat destruction as well as being hunted for food and for feathers.  Their biggest threat has been from collection for the pet trade.