The hyacinth macaw (scientific name: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) belongs to species A. hyacinthinus and class Aves. This is the largest flying bird’s species and native to central and eastern South America. Known for its bright glowing blue color, this charming feathery fellow makes an ideal pet bird. Hyacinth macaws are usually quite social, playful and inquisitive and thus they are easy to train. Here are some of interesting facts about Hyacinth macaw that you probably didn’t know before!
Their main diet is nuts specifically palm nuts, fruits and vegetation. With their strong beak, they strip of the hard-fibrous coating of nuts. Moreover, they have this unique way of foraging is digging through cow dung while looking for the indigestible nuts that have no coating.
Their beak is so strong that they can crack open coconut shells. So, if you have a pet macaw at home, be very careful because if its beak lands on your body, it’ll not be a good experience.
Top 8 interesting and fun facts about Hyacinth macaw!
Birds symbolize freedom, energy and liveliness. Similarly, the hyacinth macaw symbolizes rising, freedom, elegance and visibility. Just the way a macaw is bright, bold and so full of life, it inspires us to be free, to rise and conquer.1. Hyacinth macaw is the largest of flying bird species!
There are more than 350 bird’s species in the world. The hyacinth macaw is the largest of flying bird species. It is about one meter long (3 ft 3 inches) long from and weighs 1.2–1.7 kg. The hyacinth macaw has characteristic bright blue feathers, sometimes slightly grey feathers on its neck. Their beak is strong and is of bright yellow color.
Their main diet is nuts specifically palm nuts, fruits and vegetation. With their strong beak, they strip of the hard-fibrous coating of nuts. Moreover, they have this unique way of foraging is digging through cow dung while looking for the indigestible nuts that have no coating.
Their beak is so strong that they can crack open coconut shells. So, if you have a pet macaw at home, be very careful because if its beak lands on your body, it’ll not be a good experience.
2. They have incredibly long lifespan!
Interestingly, their lifespan is extremely long compared to other bird species. They can live up to 80 years. However, they have maximum of 50 years lifespan when kept in captivity such as in zoo and pet in home.3. They are infamous as “gentle giants”!
Hyacinth macaws are really social and playful birds. Due to their inquisitive nature, it’s easy to befriend with them and train them. In addition to this, they are smart learners as they learn to mimic human vocals. They easily bond with their owner and their bonding tends to be stronger. Macaws have various different vocalizations and they are naturally loud, especially when you keep more than one in your home. Therefore, you have this added benefits of security as they usually make loud screeching thrills seeing someone outsider.
4. Despite their gentle nature, they may become angry birds!
Sometimes when kept in captivity, these gentle birds may become aggressive. Apparently, if you are not taking proper care of your macaw or if it feels threatened or bored, this makes them aggressive. Keep in mind that macaws have strong beaks. Therefore, when aggressive, they can be quite destructive. Thus, take proper care of your pet birds and also have a proper housing / cage for them as a precaution.5. They like to keep company!
Hyacinth Macaws are social birds. They live and migrate in company of 10 to 30 birds. Also, when in flocks, they use special vocalizations such as loud squawks and screams to communicate with each other.6. Macaws are really fast birds!
Despite being the largest in size of flying bird species, macaws are equally fast. Their average flying speed is 56 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour). This fast speed is helpful for migration, searching the food and escaping the predators.7. Hyacinth macaw fun facts!
- Macaws are one of the most desired pets in US. Their price can be as much as $12,000.
- They mate for life.
- In natural habitat, macaws often flock to mountains of clay known as “macaw licks”.
- Due to its decreasing population, its international trade is prohibited.
- They have naturally loud personalities and also have various different vocalizations for communication with each other and with their human care-giver.
- They tend to suffer from “macaw wasting disease” a kind of digestive health disorder.
- They play significant ecological role. Macaws help in generation of new tree as they disperse seed to far off places.
- They are extremely intelligent and smart learner. They are known to solve small problems like a toddler. For instance, macaws tend to use leaves and wood pieces when eating nuts. It prevents nuts from slipping.
- You can train your macaw to speak a few words.
