Blue Arara

Blue macaws are animals that stand out for beauty, size and behavior. This bird is currently threatened with extinction due to hunting, clandestine trade and degradation in its natural habitat due to deforestation.

Meet the Blue Macaw

Characteristics

Scientific Name: Anodorhynchus hyacinthinu.

Species occurs in 11 Brazilian states (AP, BA, GO, MA, MG, MS, MT, PA, PI, SP, TO, AM).

It is on the list of endangered species.

Greater among parrots (parrots, parakeets, macaws, maritacas).

Measuring a meter from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail.

Weight up to 1.3 kg.

Behavior

They like to fly in pairs or in groups.

The couples are faithful and share the tasks of caring for the young.

In the late afternoon, they gather in groups on "dorm" trees.

feeding

They feed on chestnuts taken from coconuts of two species of palm: acuri and bocaiúva.

In the case of the acuri, they take advantage of those fallen on the ground, ruminated by cattle or by wild animals.

The bocaiuva coconut is harvested and eaten directly in the bunch.

Habitat

In the Pantanal, 90% of the macaws of blue macaws are made on manduvi, tree with soft kernel. Ximbuva (Enterolobium contortisiliquum) and Angico Branco (Albizia nipioides) are also used.

Macaws increase small pockets in the trunk of the trees to make their nests.

The nests are lined with splinters that the macaws pull up from the tree.

There is dispute with other species because it is difficult to find natural cavities.

reproduction

At age seven the blue macaw begins its own family.

On average, the female has two cubs, but in general, only one survives.

She spends most of her time in the nest, tending to incubate the eggs.

The male is responsible for feeding it.

At the time of incubation, 40% of the eggs are predated by rooks and toucans, among other birds, or by some species of mammals, such as the possum.

 After about 28 days, the egg breaks out.

the puppies

They are born fragile and are fed by their parents up to six months.

They are at risk of life until they reach 45 days, because they can not defend themselves against cockroaches, ants or other birds that invade the nest.

With only three months to live, when the body is covered in feathers, they venture on their first flights.

In most cases, only one puppy (the healthiest strongest) survives.

The presence of the macaw is an important indicator of environmental health. The conservation of the Pantanal passes through its protection.

However, this beautiful bird that charms everyone with its vibrant color and cheerful and noisy sound has been suffering from the destruction of habitats and illegal capture for trafficking in wild animals and has almost disappeared from Brazilian forests.

 

But in Mato Grosso do Sul, birds have an important ally in the struggle for their preservation: the Blue Arara Project. Created by biologist Neiva Guedes to save the species from extinction, the project was supported by WWF-Brazil for 10 years (1998/2008).

The work of researchers involves:

Monitoring, recovery and management of natural and artificial nests

Installation of artificial nests

Observation of the breeding period of the birds and their results

Monitoring the puppies, weighing and collecting blood for laboratory tests and genetic identification

Environmental education actions, with lectures in the region's schools

Activities with children and visitors to the Blue Arara Project headquarters

Researchers at the Arara-Azul Institute installed 182 artificial nests and monitored a total of 367 nests registered in 54 farms, located in the Pantanal of Aquidauana, Miranda, Rio Negro, Abobral, Nhecolandia and Nabileque.

The result is that since 1999, the number of macaws has risen from 1,500 to 5,000 in the Pantanal.

Although the number of individuals is significant, the blue macaw is still considered a species threatened with extinction because of the low birth rate, the lack of cavities for reproduction, the destruction of the natural habitat due to the collection of eggs and pups For traffic.

The bird continues on the 2003 list of vulnerable animals of the Ministry of Environment. Therefore, the monitoring is constant.