Blue-and-gold Macaw

DESCRIPTION

The blue-and-gold macaw presents a blue plumage in the upper part and yellow in the chest and belly. The forehead is green and the chin blue. The face is white with lines of black feathers which turn pink in excited birds. The bill is curved, large and black and the legs are dark grey. They ingest mud to eliminate the toxic content of some foods and to obtain mineral salts necessary for their diet.

ETHOLOGY

They are of diurnal habits and frequently form flocks, even with other species of macaws. Once they form a couple, they do not separate. They dig holes in the trunks of trees, such as palm trees, where the female will lay two to three eggs. The female incubates the eggs for approximately 28 days. The male feeds the female during this period and protects the nest from intruders.

CURIOSITY

Globally, they are not threatened. However, like all psittaciformes, they are subject to a large illegal trade which captures annually more than 50,000 annually to sell as pets. They are also affected by the loss and fragmentation of their habitat, mainly due to the great deforestation afflicting the Amazon.