Alternative Name: Lear's Macaw
- Anodorhynchus leari
Identification
75 cm (30 inches) long; 950 g (2 pounds)
- Metallic blue overall plumage
- Slight tinge of green on the wings
- Yellow orbital ring
- Yellow semicircular patch at base of lower mandible
Similar Species
Hyacinth Macaw and the likely extinct Glaucous Macaw are the most similar. Smaller than Hyacinth (around 3/4 the size), with a relatively smaller bill. However, Indigo's wings are longer and its wing beats deeper. The yellow face patch differs: in Indigo Macaw it extends away from the mouth in an arc or teardrop shape. In Hyacinth the yellow largely follows the (vertical) lower jaw line as a border and doesn't extend outwards as a patch. Indigo generally shows a whitish inner eye ring which Hyacinth lacks. The intensity of colour differs between the two with Hyacinth more richly coloured. Indigo is paler and more greenish. This is especially apparent on its head.
Indigo is very similar to if a little larger than the likely extinct Glaucous Macaw (c. 75 vs 70 cm), but its plumage is a deeper blue color. Images of museum specimens of the latter suggest that its head and neck were likely darker and duller ("muddier") than Indigo's.
Distribution
South America: found only in eastern Brazil (northern Bahia).
On the verge of extinction; current population estimates are about 4-500 birds. Habitat encroachment by farmers and trapping for the pet trade are significant threats.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Caatinga thornscrub with licurí palm stands
Behaviour
Breeding
They nest in sandstone cliffs, excavating small crevasses. The clutch consists of 1-2 eggs.
Diet
Diet includes nuts of the licuri palm (Syagrus coronata).
Reference
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Tony Juniper, 2002. Spix's Macaw. ISBN 0-7434-7551-8.
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved April 2017)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Indigo Macaw. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Indigo_Macaw
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
