Indigo Macaw

Anodorhynchus leari

Endangered

Aves · Psittaciformes · Psittacidae

About

Lear's macaw, also known as the indigo macaw, is a large all-blue Brazilian parrot, a member of a large group of neotropical parrots known as macaws. It was first described by Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1856. Lear's macaw is 70–75 cm long and weighs around 950 g. It is coloured almost completely blue, with a yellow patch of skin at the base of the heavy, black bill.

Fun Fact

For a century and a half after it had been described, the species was only known from sporadic occurrences in the bird trade, and the whereabouts of the wild population was unknown.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Habitat is thought to have once stretched over 250,000 km2 (97,000 sq mi) in Brazil, but has been much reduced due to clearance for agriculture.

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

60 years (captivity)

Threats

Habitat Loss
Poaching and Hunting
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Disease