Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara Ararauna)

Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is one of the most popular macaw species. It is up to 86 cm long with weigh up to 1.3 kg, which makes it one of the largest macaws. In the nature, this species is listed as „Least Concern“, but its population estimation is not known. Blue-and-Yellow Macaws is the most commonly kept macaw species in the captivity. International databasis of zoological gardens ZIMS contains in total 413 institutions with almost 4.000 kept individuals.

In the nature, the species lives in the tropical rain forests of South America from Panama to Columbia. As all macaw species, this one is also strictly monogamous and nests in the tree holes. It lies 2 – 4 white eggs and incubates them 23 – 27 days. Nestlings hatch blind and unfeathered, dependent on their parents´ care. The chicks reach their sexual maturity around 4th year of their life.

Out of the nesting season, the species can be found in groups of more than 20 specimens with other parrot species. Whereas during the night, they roost in the high tree canopy, during the day, they feed on the fruits and leaves of the trees in the forest. In front of a human, they are usually very shy and vigilant. In the captivity, they can live up to 50 years.

Apart from the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, there is another similar species, Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis). As its name suggests, this species has a blue throat and lesser size than the first one. Unlike Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Blue-throated Macaw is a critically endangered species, living only in Bolivia.