Hyacinth Macaw is one of the largest parrot species, mostly known for its striking blue color. Learn all the facts about this blue parrot, its personality and the care it needs.
Natural Habitat
The Hyacinth Macaw parrot (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is native to central and eastern South America. It originated in Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
It spends most of its time in the scrublands on the outskirts of the rain-forest, though it also lives in grasslands and lightly forested areas.
Unlike most parrot species, which favor dense tropical rain-forest habitats, hyacinth macaws live in less densely forested places such as palm swamps and flooded meadows.
Appearance
The Hyacinth Macaw feathers’ are entirely cobalt blue, with a lighter blue on top. The neck feathers, on the other hand, can occasionally be slightly grey.
The largest of the macaw species appears to be smiling all the time due to the bright yellow around the eyes and at the base and corners of the beak. It is commonly referred to as a "blue macaw."
Size & Lifespan
Hyacinth Macaw is the longest parrot species, measuring approximately 40 inches (1 meter) from the top of its head to the tip of its long, sharp and pointed tail. Each wing measures 15 – 16.5 inches (39 - 42.5 cm).
It is the largest macaw and largest flying parrot. It is also rumored to be possibly the most beautiful of the macaw family. The Hyacinth Macaw can weigh up to 3 lb 12 oz (1.7 kilos), and the only parrot who weighs more is the flightless kakapo of New Zealand (up to 3.5 kilos).
Sometimes it can be confused with the smaller Lear's macaw.
It can live more than 30 years and if it is properly cared for, it can live for more than 60 years.
Personality
They can be calmer than other macaws. This bird, like all parrots, requires a lot of free time each day to play with humans or simply hang out and enjoy your company.
In the wild, it is a social bird that is usually seen in pairs or small groups. They are not "loners," and will suffer if left alone.
When dealing with them, an attending veterinarian must be aware of their specific nutritional needs and pharmacologic sensitivities.
This species can become neurotic/phobic as a result of genetic factors or limitations in captive rearing, which is problematic.
A confined hyacinth macaw could become cranky and neurotic, and may begin to self-mutilate and scream excessively.
They will get along with other birds, but they should be introduced to them individually and at a young age.
Sounds & Speech
The blue macaw ibeing one of the largest parrots, it is only reasonable for to be one of the loudest if not the loudest.
Soundproofing, renting or owning a house in a slight remotely area is highly advised if you are seriously thinking about getting one.
This bird is extremely vocal and frequently screeches. A single hyacinth may not be as bothersome to neighbors, but a pair will be.
In comparison to cockatoos, the Hyacinth macaws are not the best talkers. They will not be able to keep a conversation going, but they will learn and repeat a few favorite words and phrases.
However, these birds are extremely intelligent and may learn to contextualize specific words.
How to care for your Hyacinth Macaw:
Cage
This large bird requires a very large living space.
In this case, a "regular" cage is not appropriate. Not only are most commercial cages too small, but the hyacinth macaw can easily escape.
A custom cage or one of the largest commercial cages would suffice, but a full room, patio, or other safely enclosed, bird-proofed area would be preferable.
Flying is beneficial to all birds, and this parrot will require a lot of space to enjoy this important exercise. Even a trimmed wing feathered hyacinth macaw requires plenty of space to flap and clamber around.
Food and diet
Hyacinth macaws require a special diet.
This bird's diet in the wild consists almost entirely of palm nuts from two different types of palm trees. Hyacinths gather the nuts from the trees in the wild, such as acuri and bocaiuva palms, which make up the majority of their diet.
The hyacinth macaw's diet is high in fat, and while you may not be able to find palm nuts, brazil nuts, walnuts, almonds, macadamias, coconut, pistachios, and cashews can be substituted.
You're unlikely to see an obese hyacinth macaw because they seem to metabolize fat very quickly and, in fact, need to be encouraged to eat anything else, such as fruits and vegetables, which should be fed daily.
As a general rule a pet Hyacinth Macaw's diet should consist of:
75% Pelleted Diet
15% Natural Diet (vegetables, legumes, grains, fruit)
10% Treats (nuts and seeds)
Some of the most common foods that are forbidden is chocolate, coffee, tea, avocado, peanuts with their shell (can contain toxins), potato skins and raw potatoes (can also contain toxins)
Toys & Exercise
Hyacinths can be very destructive and require a lot of chewing toys and branches.
A sturdy play-gym is required, though even the most robust commercially built play-gyms will struggle to withstand the hyacinth's powerful beak. Large, safe, and replaceable play trees are also suggested.
Grooming
Baths: Parrots, like people, become dirty and need to stay clean in order to feel comfortable.
A proper bathing routine 3 times a week will meet many of their natural requirements.
For a Macaw’s bath, it may be preferred to have a tub or a bird bath fountain at least 3-4 inches deep.
Spraying them with fresh water through a spray bottle may also be something they'll enjoy.
Nails and beak trimming: Macaws, like all parrots, require a certain level of grooming on a rather frequent basis. Grooming can be a rewarding bonding moment.
For grooming such as beak and nail trims, these are often best left to veterinary professionals as this can be detrimental to the bird if done incorrectly and is often very stressful on the bird as well.
As a general rule, their nails may need trimming every 3-6 months and their beak once a year (or less often).
Wing trimming: wing trims can be done to prevent your parrot from flying away and getting lost.
It is advisable to be performed by an expert so that the bird will still be able to fly, but not very long distances.
Health problems
Hyacinth macaws are especially prone to overgrown beaks and require a constant supply of safe chewing materials.
Make sure you contact your avian veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice a sudden change in behavior, sleepiness or loss of energy, ruffle feathers or anything else out of the ordinary.
Hyacinth macaws, like other macaw species, are susceptible to proventricular dilatation disease ("Macaw Wasting Disease"), psittacosis, and papillomas.
Price – How much does a Hyacinth Macaw cost?
A hyacinth macaw costs between $5,000 to more than $12,000, which is the most expensive one-time expense you should budget for.
The price of a macaw is determined on its age and how tame it is.
High or low maintenance?
The Hyacinth Macaw is not a good first bird because it can be difficult to handle. The ideal owner for a hyacinth macaw is someone who has either kept many birds successfully in the past or has done extensive research, and understands exactly what they're getting into.
Hyacinths are very easy to subdue, but they like to “fight” playfully with other hyacinth macaws and with their owner. Its beak carries more than 200-300 pounds of pressure per square inch, and can cause injury.
The blue macaw is the ideal companion bird for those with the time, patience, and funds to properly care for this magnificent bird.
Rarety:
These birds are generally uncommon in the pet trade. The reason why they are so rare is due to their growth.
They grow much slower than companion birds. Since the babies leave the nest at about 13 weeks, it takes another six months for them to become fully functioning independent adults.
Additionally, the breeding age is also later on their life, at around 7 years old.
Reproduction (in the wild):
Nesting occurs from July to December. The hyacinth Macaw builds nests in the cavities of trees or cliff faces, depending on the habitat.
During the incubation period, the male tends to his mate while she incubates the eggs.
The macaw lays more eggs than can normally be fledged as a defense mechanism.
The toco toucan is a major predator that consumes a large percentage of the eggs. Corvids such as jays and crows, as well as opossums, skunks, and coatis, regularly too prey on the eggs.
You may also like these articles:
Leave a Reply