Colors ...

Hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, arara-azul) in a pink ipê tree (Tabebuia impetiginosa, piúva-do-campo).

Hyacinth macaws

These wonderful, amazingly colored birds are the hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, arara-azul), an endangered parrot species commonly found around this part of the Pantanal. Their distribution is strongly correlated with two palm trees on which they feed: the acuri-nut palm tree (Scheelea Phalerata) and the bocaiuva-nut palm tree (Acrocomia aculeata). And not less important for their survival is the manduvi tree (Sterculia apetala), a big soft-wooded tree in which they mostly build their nests.

Watching hyacinth macaws feeding on the ground at late afternoon always evokes a general: Wow ! Awesome ! Amazing ! Phenomenal ! Fantastic ! Terrific ! In short: simply unforgettable !

feeding on acuri nuts

Haley´s Adventures

http://www.craigmorecreations.com

Take a look at this very interesting and beautiful comic from Craigmore Creations. It´s about Haley Zoic´s travels, a natural history corespondent, as she explores the lives and struggles of endangered species. In this episode, she visited Fazenda Barranco Alto and learned a lot about the hyacinth macaws, the trees they nest in and the toco toucan. Click on the image to read the comic it´s really worth !

Showtime !

A couple of hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) hanging on a carandá palm nut stem (Copernicia alba) at their early morning exercise... And a couple of blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) also known as blue-and-gold macaws, looking very golden in the light of a late afternoon sun on a bocaiúva palm stump (Acrocomia aculeata) !