Alternative Name: Lear's Macaw
- Anodorhynchus leari
Identification
950 g (2 pounds) and is 75 cm (30 inches) long.
Similar Species
It is very similar to if a little larger than Glaucous Macaw, but its plumage has a deeper blue color. Its bill is relatively smaller than the bill on Hyacinth Macaw but wings are longer and wingbeats deeper.
Distribution
Eastern Brazil. Current population estimates are about 4-500 birds. Habitat encroachment by farmers and trapping for the pet trade are significant threats.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species
Habitat
Caatinga
Behaviour
They nest in sandstone cliffs. They apply their saliva to the sandstone, softening it and then excavate small crevasses by using their beaks and shooting the dust out of their soon-to-be nests with their feet. 1-2 eggs are laid.
Diet includes nuts of the licuri palm (Syagrus coronata).
Reference
Tony Juniper, 2002. Spix's Macaw. ISBN 0-7434-7551-8.
