Known as the gentle giants, Hyacinth – or blue – Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) are the largest of all the macaws, having a length of 36-39", weights of 1200-1700 grams, a wingspan of 46-50" and tails that are almost as long as their bodies.

The birds are prized for their personality and for their remarkable beauty. Overall, they are an vibrant, iridescent violet-blue. Their long, tapered tails and wing undersides are a sleek black and their eyes are brown with bright yellow rings. More yellow shows up in a small patch next to the lower beak and on a stripe on the tongue. The skin covering their bodies also carries a yellow hue, except for their feet which are grayish in color.

Our hand-raised baby hyacinths are gentle and easily handled. They sometimes have problems when they are first brought home however, and should be allowed ample time and understanding in order to become accustomed to their new environment. They are socialized daily and exposed to a variety of experiences while growing here in our aviary (veterinary visits, other pets, visitors, wing and nail trims, car rides, etc.) to avoid fearful behavior.

Although they can make excellent pets for practically anyone, hyacinths can be very loud as well as destructive, as any macaw can. While some speak, most have only limited ability to mimic. Still, they are particularly animated and comical in their movements. Since they are extremely intelligent and relatively easy to train, they are a favorite for shows and trick training. While they have a very imposing beak, these birds are called the gentle giant for good reason. They are very affectionate and lovable. Hyacinths generally love their family and are very tolerant of strangers. They love to play, but will require toys that are larger and stronger than most. Many people swear that these are the number one macaw to have. Be warned, they are very expensive and require a lot of upkeep.

Lifespan & Personality

The lifespan of hyacinths is not precisely known, but is probably around 50 years. Breeding age starts between 6 to 10 years old and can last into the bird’s 30s.

Hyacinths are playful and love to chew. They should always be provided with toys, especially wooden blocks and branches from non-toxic trees. Our All Macaws toy line has been specifically selected with the needs of the macaw in mind. In order to ensure safety, companion macaws should not be allowed unsupervised freedom in the home as they often encounter toxins or dangerous items." Childproofing" your home prior to your macaw arriving is a good thing, and keep your eyes open as you are sure to miss something that will look very attractive to your inquisitive baby.

In the wild, the birds, whose formal name is Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, range through tropical South America, from northeastern Brazil below the Amazon river to the Pantanal, a seasonal floodplain in the southern part of the country. The northern-based population lives in arid scrubland in the states of Goias and Bahia, and nest in cliffs. The southern group, in the Pantanal, nest in the cavities of large trees.

Hyacinths’ diet in the wild consists principally of the nuts a variety of palms. These nuts are extremely hard, but are easily cleaved by the birds’ powerful beak. Fluids come from unripe palm fruits. Hyacinths co-exist well with habitat modifications – as long as they are not hunted - and can be seen around pasture land with scattered palm trees. The birds usually fly in pairs or small family groups but sometimes in flocks of up to 25 birds.

Hyacinths are fairly common in captivity. They are relatively difficult to breed in captivity although some individual pairs are very prolific.

Feeding

All macaws need plenty of energy, and hyacinths require more fat and carbohydrates and less protein in their diet than the other macaws. The hyacinths natural foods - palm nuts - are rich in oils, and calories, however are not readily available. Raw, in-shell macadamia nuts are an ideal supplement for this vital food source. Macaws should be fed daily with a high quality seed and nut mix, such as the All Macaws Signature Line Deluxe Seed and Nut Macaw Diet, and supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, soak and cooks (such as our Beak Appetit line), and safe "people food" to add variety. Fresh water at least twice daily is an absolute must.

Grooming

Routine bathing or showering is vital to maintaining good plumage and skin condition. Birds can be misted and allowed to dry in a warm room or in the sun. We do NOT recommend the use of a blow dryer, as the potential for burns, drying skin and/or exposure to teflon fumes is extremely high An ideal way to bathe macaws is to put them in a cage outside, sprinkle them with a hose, and allow them to dry in the sun. You can also place them on a perch in the bath or shower and let the shower soak them down. Since macaws are strong fliers, most of the primary flight feathers (10 feathers closest to the tip of the wing) should be clipped to prevent flight. Clip only enough so the bird will glide to the floor. Eve with this clip it is a very real possibility for your bird to get enough lift to end up in a 50 foot tree before you can blink an eye. We do not recommend bringing your bird outside without being in a cage or enclosure that allows them plenty of movement but no risk for flight or predators. Never leave your bird outside unattended.

Housing

Macaws are very active and should be provided the largest cage that space and budget allows. We absolutely recommend our Kings #506 cage in stainless steel. We believe the hyacinth macaw demands such a cage. At the very least, the birds must have enough space to fully extend their wings or their muscles will atrophy, rendering them unable to fly. Ideally pet macaws can also have a large cage outdoors for bathing and exercise. As macaws are strong chewers, durable cage construction is very important. Since many are also adept at opening cage latches, locks or escape-proof latches are necessary and are one of the benefits of the Kings #506 cage construction. Keeping their cage and toys clean is a vital necessity to your hyacinths health and well being, a thorough once per week cleaning will keep your macaws living environment clean and comfortable.

While they have a very imposing beak, these birds are called the gentle giant for good reason. They are very affectionate and lovable. Hyacinths generally love their family and are very tolerant of strangers. Tricks are quickly and easily learned. They love to play but will require toys that are larger and stronger than most. Many people swear that these are the number one macaw to have. Be warned, they are very expensive and require a lot of upkeep.

Wild Distribution: Northern Brazil in localities along northern reaches of Amazon west to Rio Tapajós and south across central and southern Brazil from Piau¡ and southern part of Maranhãos across Goiás and western Bahia to Minas Gerais and Mato Grosso; eastern Bolivia and most northeastern part of Paraguay.

Habitat: Open and semi-open areas with tall trees; cerrado vegetation, savannah with palms and groups of trees; marshland and flood areas with buriti (Mauritia sp.) palm groves; prefers gallery forest; much rarer in rain forest or its edges.

Status: Only still common in few areas with original habitat; disappeared from greater part of distribution area and regarded as endangered; population possibly less than 4,000 birds; main causes trapping, trade and hunting.

Habits: Usually seen in pairs, family groups or flocks of 6 to 12 birds; pairs and families easily recognised within group; mostly seen flying or perching on outermost branches of trees or bushes; there very conspicuous; can be heard from afar because of loud call; shy in many areas; flies up screeching if approached, circles for short while, then lands on tree again or flies off; macaws roost on tall Acrocomia palms or trees in open woodland; early in morning they gather for preening on dead trees; feeds until around 9.00 a.m; pairs spend hot midday hours in shade of foliage or in Attalea palms where they also feed on palm fruits; croaks from time to time and preen each other; returns to roosting trees towards evening; often flies considerable distances at some height; forages much food on ground; there shy and wary; flight undulating and with slow wing-beats; call gurgling; alarm call harsh and ratcheting.

Natural diet: Specializes in different palm fruits including Acrocomia lasiopatha, Astryocaryum tucuma, Attalea phalerata, Acrocomia aculeata, Syagrus commosa, Attalea funifera; in addition ripe and unripe fruits (figs), nuts, berries and vegetable matter; in one case observed feeding on water-snails (Pomacea sp.); can crack extremely hard nuts with powerful bill; however often feeds on palm-nuts excreted by cattle and therefore softer, which they find in pasture.

Breeding behaviour: Breeding season between July and December; varies slightly according to area; nests in living and dead trees, palms and in localities in crevices and hollows in cliffs; tree hollows between 4 and 12 m (12 and 40 ft) from ground; on average 50 cm (20 ins) in diameter, 29 cm (11.5 ins ) deep from entrance to bottom of hollow; latter often at same level as entrance; size of entrance varies between 5 x 7 cm (2 x 3 ins) and 40 x 25 cm (16 x 10 ins); clutch 1 to 2 eggs; only one young reared; low reproduction rate as many clutches and nests with young fail because of predators, disease and removal; young probably remain with parents for some time after leaving nest; egg measures 53.0 x 40.0 mm (2.08 x 1.57 ins).

Aviculture noted: At times very noisy bird, but somewhat quieter and more cautious in behaviour than other large macaws; inquisitive; quickly becomes confiding; very hard chewer and sometimes destructive; even very strong mesh can be bitten through; provide regular supply of thick branches and tree stumps; hardy and robust when acclimatised; can be kept outside breeding season with other macaws; during breeding season even with smaller parrots and parakeets; bathes frequently in summer or enjoys being sprayed; pairs very close; when watched by keeper or strangers will often simulate copulation with raised-up tails and lower parts of body pressed against each other; many birds enjoy going on ground in outside flight; gravel often taken up and chewed.