Latin name: Anadorhyncus hyacinthinus

 

Species listed in Annex I of the Washington Convention.

 

The species was identified as early as 1790 and has been subjected to a major, increasing traffic since the 1970s.

 

One of the most beautiful parrots that can be seen in zoological parks.

 

Many parks participate in a captive reproduction programme to build up the gene base for a better tomorrow. 

 

Europe allows the sale of second-generation chicks born in captivity. This is a good approach to curb the importing of wild birds; however, those in nature will be excluded from reproduction.

 

Height: approximately 100 cm

Weight: approximately 2 kg

Colour: Superb blue cobalt, yellow-orange around the eyes and at the base of the lower mandible.

Europe autorises the sale of young, second-generation birds born in captivity. This is good to curb the importing of wild birds but they will be prevented from reproducing.

 

The dietary requirements of the hyacinth are very specific: it eats mainly fruit from oil palm, supplemented with berries and other fruit. Due to this very specific diet, the hyacinth’s survival depends on the integrity of its habitat.

 

The last Spix's macaw ("cousin" to the hyacinth) died in 2000. All psittacidae experts agree that the hyacinth will be one of the next macaws on the list of extinct species.

 

We took these photos in the Montreal Biodome. All of the animals presented there were born in captivity.

 

The hyacinth macaw lives across a vast territory in scattered groups. The Pantanal region appears to be one that is still home to a significant population of hyacinths.

 

The flooded area is protected from cultivation, but the subsoil is very rich in minerals and Pantanal water is pumped to irrigate other regions during the dry season.

 

According to an article published in "PsittaScene" (n° 52, August 2002), the wild population is estimated at 5000 individuals and protective measures undertaken since 1987 have borne fruit. However, its natural habitat still remains highly endangered.

 

The map below is currently available only in French. An English version will soon be made available.