Print This | Tell-a-Friend



Blue-winged Macaw  (Primolius maracana)

Also Known As: Illiger's Macaw
 
MAIN_illigers_macaw_2

Blue-winged (Illiger’s) Macaw on tree branch

Credit: (c) Sam Williams
 
photos Photos videoVideo 1
 
eNewsletter SIGNUP FOR EMAIL UPDATES
Did You Know?
Some wild Blue-winged Macaws have problems with cataracts when they age, which shortens their life due to the handicap of not being able to locate food.

Status in the Wild
World Population:
Not recorded

Range: Found in E Brazil at Ilha da Marajo, Para, and southern Para and Maranhao south to Mato Grosso, Sao Paulo and formerly Rio Grande do Sul, and scattered through E Paraguay to NE Argentina.

Habitat:
Found up to 1000m (3280 ft). Occurs in tropical and subtropical evergreen and deciduous forest, including Atlantic rainforest and cerrado savanna; prefers forest edge or areas close to water. In northern Bahia found in gallery woodland in caatinga zone.

Threat Summary:
Trapping for wild bird trade, possibly habitat degredation and loss.

IUCN Rating:
Near-threatened

Wild Diet:
Recorded taking seeds of introduced species Melia azedarach in NE Brazil; other details on diet lacking.

CITES Rating:
Appendix I

Ecology:
Prefers to stay in one area, occurs in pairs or small groups; less conspicuous than larger macaws. Avoids flying across open country; preferring to instead fly amongst trees.

Clutch and Egg Size:
3 or 4 rounded eggs, 37 x 30mm (1.4 x 1.2 in)

Breeding Season:
December in Brazil, February in Argentina.

Links to Other Project(s):
http://www.americanbirding.org/bex/recipients/2005paranapineproject.html

More Info Sites:
http://www.buschgardens.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/aves/psittaciformes/illigers-macaw.htm