Native to central and eastern South America, the Hyacinth Macaw, or Hyacinthine Macaw, is the largest macaw and the largest flying parrot species in the world, though the flightless Kakapo of New Zealand can outweigh it at up to 3.5kg. It measures 100cm long and 1.5–2kg in weight. The wingspan is 120–140cm. It prefers palm swamps, woodlands, and other semi-open wooded habitats. It usually avoids dense humid forest.
The Hyacinth Macaw is almost entirely blue and has black under the wings. Combined with the yellow circling its eyes and along the sides of its black beak, this bird is generally easily recognised.The female and male are nearly indistinguishable, although the female is typically a bit more slender.
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus eats the kernel of hard nuts and seeds which they get to using their very strong beak. They are even able to crack coconuts, the large brazil nut pods and macadamia nuts. In addition, they eat fruits and other vegetable matter. Pine nuts are also one of the most popular foods.
These birds nest in existing holes in trees. The clutch size is one or two eggs, although usually only one fledgling survives as the second egg hatches several days after the first, and the smaller fledgling cannot compete with the first born for food. Juveniles stay with their parents until they are three months old. They are mature and begin breeding at seven years of age.
The Hyacinth Macaw is an endangered species due to overcollection for the cage bird trade and habitat loss.
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