Blue-throated macaw
Ara glaucogularis
Blue-throated macaws hatch out pink and with no feathers, before turning a turquoise blue on its throat, wings and head and bright yellow on its chest, belly, legs and under-wings.
It is possible to tell a macaw’s age by looking at its eyes. When they are born their eyes are black, turning grey by the time they are three years old. By eight years old, the eye will be yellow and from ten years old the eyes will be golden. Older macaws also get a grey ring around the pupil.
The average blue-throated macaw can be up to 85 cm long and can weigh up to 950 grams. It produces a loud and raucous call.
This species and it is protected by law in Bolivia as a National Heritage Species. It is listed under Appendix I of CITES.
IUCN Status
The IUCN status of the blue-throated macaw is critically endangered.
For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org (link opens in new window).
Fun fact
It is possible to tell a macaw’s age from its eyes
Animal class
Bird
Conservation status
At an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild with threats from the illegal pet trade, capture for feathers used in indigenous celebrations and destruction of habitat through cattle ranching.
Habitat
Forest, savanna – Blue-throated macaws have a very restricted range and are found in forests in north Bolivia’s Beni savanna
Population
The population is thought to be stable, but there are fewer than 250 blue-throated macaws in the wild.
Diet
Herbivore – eats nuts, seeds and fruits from large palm trees