There are several types of parrots that have blue feathers. Determining the specific species of blue parrot requires looking at size, shape, coloration and geographic location. Some of the most common blue parrots are hyacinth macaws, blue and gold macaws, blue-throated macaws, blue-crowned conures, blue-headed pionus parrots, and blue-fronted Amazons. Let’s explore these different blue parrot species in more detail.
Hyacinth Macaw
The hyacinth macaw is the largest of all parrots, growing up to 40 inches long. They are a deep cobalt blue color all over, with bright yellow rings around their eyes. Hyacinth macaws have a very powerful curved beak that allows them to crack extremely hard nuts found in their native South America. These magnificent birds are highly sought after in the pet trade for their beauty, intelligence and talking ability. However, hyacinth macaws are endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and poaching.
Description
Hyacinth macaws have the following identifying features:
- Size – Hyacinth macaws grow up to 40 inches long from head to tail. Their wingspan can reach up to 4 feet wide. They typically weigh between 2.5-3.5 lbs.
- Color – Cobalt or deep blue feathers cover their entire body except for bright yellow rings around their eyes and lower beak. The beak itself is black.
- Shape – Large, curved black beak. Long pointed tail feathers. Stocky body shape needed for cracking hard nuts.
- Voice – Loud, low-pitched squawking. Can learn to mimic speech when kept as pets.
Natural Habitat
Hyacinth macaws are native to central and eastern South America. Their natural habitat is tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands and savannas. Typically found near palm trees, as their nuts are the main food source. Current range includes:
- Brazil – primarily in the Amazon and Pantanal
- Bolivia – lowland areas in Santa Cruz and Beni provinces
- Paraguay – Chaco region
Diet
Hyacinth macaws eat a variety of nuts and fruits including:
- Palm nuts from acuri and bocaiuva palms
- Brazil nuts
- Cashews
- Macadamia nuts
- Coco nuts
- Passion fruit
- Other berries and citrus
Their strong curved beaks allow them to crack extremely hard nuts not accessible to other birds. They use their tongue to extract the nut meat inside.
Blue and Gold Macaw
The blue and gold macaw is a large, intelligent parrot native to South America. It has deep blue upper body feathers contrasting with bright golden-yellow underparts. Blue and gold macaws form strong pair bonds and mate for life. They are popular pets but require lots of mental stimulation and interaction. Loss of rainforest habitat is reducing their wild populations.
Description
- Size – Up to 35 inches long. Weighs 2-2.5 lbs.
- Color – Deep blue back, wings and head. Golden-yellow chest, abdomen and parts of face.
- Shape – Long pointed blue tail. Large curved beak.
- Voice – Loud, varying squawks. Can mimic speech when domesticated.
Natural Habitat
Historically found in rainforests across much of central and northern South America. Current natural range includes:
- Brazil – Amazon basin
- Bolivia – Santa Cruz and Beni provinces
- Colombia – Amazonas region
- Peru – Loreto region
- Venezuela – Orinoco River basin
Prefers open woodlands near water. Nests high up in dead palms.
Diet
- Nuts – brazil nuts, palm nuts
- Fruits – figs, mangoes, bananas
- Seeds
- Some insects and snails
Forages widely. Talented at opening hard nuts with its large curved beak.
Blue-throated Macaw
The blue-throated macaw is a rare smaller macaw species native to a small region of north-central Bolivia. They are bright blue with a patch of yellow on the cheeks and an orange or pink stripe on the forehead. Blue-throated macaws are critically endangered with only about 250 believed left in the wild. Their habitats have been greatly reduced by logging and burning of forests.
Description
- Size – Up to 26 inches long. Weighs 12-14 oz.
- Color – Bright blue feathers on body, darker blue on wings. Yellow patch on cheeks. Orange/pink forehead.
- Shape – Pointed blue tail. Small curved beak.
- Voice – Loud squawks. Can mimic speech when domesticated.
Natural Habitat
Limited to north-central Bolivia in the Beni and Santa Cruz provinces. Nest in palm groves in seasonally flooded lowland forests. Range is estimated at less than 15,000 square km.
Diet
- Palm nuts
- Other hard nuts
- Fruits such as figs
- Some seeds
Cracks nuts open with its curved beak. Forages in small groups.
Blue-crowned Conure
The blue-crowned conure is a small active parrot native to eastern South America. True to its name, it has bright blue feathers on the crown, head, and parts of the wings and tail. The body feathers are otherwise predominantly green. Blue-crowned conures are social and live in noisy flocks. They can be kept as pets but require lots of toys and interaction.
Description
- Size – Up to 15 inches long and weighs 3-4 oz
- Color – Blue crown, forehead, cheeks, throat, wings, tail. Green on rest of body.
- Shape – Long pointed green tail. Small curved beak.
- Voice – Loud, shrill squawks. Can mimic speech when domesticated.
Natural Habitat
Found across eastern South America in:
- Brazil – along the Amazon River basin
- Bolivia – Santa Cruz and Beni provinces
- Paraguay – Eastern and interior regions
- Argentina – Northeast provinces like Misiones
Inhabits forests, woodlands and savannas. Roosts communally in tree cavities.
Diet
- Fruits – figs, berries, citrus
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Some insects
Forages in noisy flocks. Uses small beak to eat fruits, seeds and nuts.
Blue-headed Pionus Parrot
The blue-headed pionus is a small parrot native to the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. True to their name, they have bright blue feathers on the head, nape and wings. The body is otherwise green with a red undertail. Blue-headed pionus parrots have raspy voices and live in small groups, pairs or singularly. Popular pets due to their quiet nature and talking ability.
Description
- Size – Up to 11 inches long. Weighs 4-6 oz.
- Color – Blue head, nape, wings. Green body, red undertail.
- Shape – Short blunt tail. Small curved beak.
- Voice – Raspy, nasal squawks. Can mimic speech when domesticated.
Natural Habitat
Native to the Caribbean islands of:
- Puerto Rico
- Hispaniola
Inhabits forests, plantations and wooded backyards. Nests in tree cavities.
Diet
- Fruits
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Berries
- Some insects
Forages for food either solo, in pairs or small groups. Uses small curved beak to eat fruit and nuts.
Blue-fronted Amazon
The blue-fronted Amazon is a bright green Amazon parrot with blue patches on its forehead and crown. It is native to regions of Central and South America. Blue-fronted Amazons are intelligent, social birds that flock together in the wild. They can be excellent talkers when kept as pets. However, they need lots of attention and stimulation.
Description
- Size – Up to 13 inches long. Weighs 10-13 oz.
- Color – Mainly green with blue forehead and crown. Yellow cheeks.
- Shape – Short blunt tail. Curved beak.
- Voice – Loud screeches. Excellent talking ability when domesticated.
Natural Habitat
Native habitat includes:
- Mexico – along Pacific and Gulf coasts
- Guatemala – lowland forests
- El Salvador and Honduras – interior and Pacific regions
- Nicaragua – lowlands and foothills
- Costa Rica – northwest province
- Panama – central and western regions
Inhabits subtropical and tropical forests, woodlands, plantations. Nests in tree cavities.
Diet
- Fruits
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Berries
- Some insects
Forages in noisy flocks. Uses strong curved beak to eat seeds, fruits and nuts.
Comparison of Blue Parrots
Here is a summary comparing the main species of blue parrots:
| Species | Size | Color | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyacinth Macaw | Up to 40 inches long | Cobalt blue with yellow eye rings | Central and eastern South America |
| Blue and Gold Macaw | Up to 35 inches long | Blue back, yellow underside | Central and northern South America |
| Blue-throated Macaw | Up to 26 inches long | Bright blue with yellow and orange patches | North-central Bolivia |
| Blue-crowned Conure | Up to 15 inches long | Blue crown, green body | Eastern South America |
| Blue-headed Pionus | Up to 11 inches long | Blue head, green body | Puerto Rico and Hispaniola |
| Blue-fronted Amazon | Up to 13 inches long | Green with blue patch on crown | Central America |
Conclusion
In summary, there are several different parrot species that have blue plumage. The hyacinth macaw is the largest overall and has a cobalt blue coloration. Medium-sized blue parrots include the blue and gold macaw and blue-throated macaw. Smaller blue parrot species are the blue-crowned conure, blue-headed pionus and blue-fronted Amazon. Factors like size, exact shade of blue, body shape, beak shape and geographic range can help identify the specific kind of blue parrot. With their beauty and intelligence, blue parrots continue to be sought after as pets and companions for bird lovers around the world.