Hyacinth Macaw

parrot · South America · endangered · giant bird

Incredibly long parrot. The hyacinth macaw grows to about one meter (roughly 3 feet) long, making it longer than any other parrot species in the world.

Brilliant blue beauty. These parrots are covered in vibrant blue feathers, which makes them easy to spot in the rainforest but also makes them targets for illegal pet traders.

South American home. Hyacinth macaws live in central and eastern South America, where they nest in tree cavities and feed on palm nuts and seeds.

Losing their world. Habitat loss from deforestation and the illegal pet trade have caused their numbers to drop dramatically, so they are now classified as Vulnerable by conservation experts.

Protected by law. Many countries have made it illegal to catch or trade hyacinth macaws, and they are listed on CITES to help protect what remains of their wild population.