Blue-throated Macaw
Ara glaucogularis
Large macaw endemic to flooded grasslands of El Beni, Bolivia (Llanos de Moxos). Breeds in cavities in tall palms, and threatened by habitat loss. Most of the population is highly localized into a few breeding and foraging localities where grassland is less impacted by grazing. From sympatric (and much more common) Blue-and-yellow Macaw by blue throat and more extensive feathering on face.
Identification
The blue-throated macaw is about 85 cm (33 in) long including the length of its tail feathers and has a wingspan of approximately three feet or 90 cm. It weighs about 900 g (32 oz) to 1,100 g (39 oz). There is little easily observable sexual dimorphism; however, males tend to be a little bigger than females with approximate masses of 750 g and 950 g respectively.Upperparts are turquoise-blue, slightly duller on crown and brighter on rump. Underparts largely bright yellow but the vent is pale blue. It has a bare facial patch obscured by blue feather-lines merging into a blue lower cheek and throat, separated from its crown by a narrow yellow stripe and bare pink skin around base of the large, black bill. On the face there is a sparsely feathered patch of skin near the base of the large dark-colored bill that has 5 or 6 horizontal stripes of blue feathers which are unique for every blue-throated macaw and can be used to individually identify adults.<p>The adults have yellow irises and the juveniles have brown irises. The eye color of a nestling is initially black and changes to brown soon after the eyes open. Between one and three years old, the eyes will turn grey, then white. As the macaw matures, the iris turns yellow and the amount of gold increases with age after 10 years. Elderly macaws show a ring of dark grey surrounding the pupil where the iris has become thinner and the back of the retina shows through. It can be separated from the slightly larger blue-and-yellow macaw by the blue (not black) throat, the blue (not green) crown and the lack of contrast between the remiges and upperwing coverts.
Taxonomy
Ara is from a Tupi Indian word for macaw; glauco (glaucous Latin for greyish-blue or green) + gularis (Latin: throat). The Blue-throated macaw is one of 8 extant species (and a few extinct species) in genus Ara of large long-tailed parrots collectively called macaws. The genus Ara is one of six genera of Central and South American macaws in the tribe Arini, which also includes all the other long-tailed New World parrots. Tribe Arini together with the short-tailed Amazon and allied parrots and a few miscellaneous genera make up subfamily Arinae of Neotropical parrots in family Psittacidae of true parrots.<p>The blue-throated macaw was originally thought to be a subspecies (Ara ararauna caninde) of the similar-looking blue-and-yellow macaw.
- Scientific name
- Ara glaucogularis
- Authority
- Dabbene, 1921
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Ara
Range and habitat
The blue-throated macaw lives in the Llano de Moxos of the Beni Department of Bolivia, nesting in "Islas" (islands) of palm trees that dot the level plains. It is not a forest-dwelling bird. This species is one of the rarest in the world. There are two areas inhabited by two sub-populations of Ara glaucogularis: one is to the northwest of Trinidad (the capital city of Beni), and the other is to the south of Trinidad. This complex landscape consists of grasslands, marshes, forest islands, and corridors of forests along waterways. They occur most often between the elevations of 200 and 300 m.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Nothoprocta cinerascens
Small, short-necked tinamou of the chaco region of the central Southern Cone. Most often detected by voice. From similar White-bellied Nothura, with which its range partly overlaps, by gray legs and brownish belly. Tends to prefer thorn forest with dense grass or scrubby understory, but can be seen along road sides. Song a 5-8 part flat whistle, given with progressively more emphasis.
Slaty-legged Crake
Rallina eurizonoides
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Peruvian Thick-knee
Hesperoburhinus superciliaris
Distinctive, large nocturnal “shorebird” of dry desert habitats in lowlands. Note the big pale eyes, striped head, and long pale yellowish legs. Favors sandy and stony soils, often with scattered vegetation; even found in small dirt lots in towns and villages, where it seems fairly tolerant of people. Usually found as pairs or small groups. Spends the day resting, often sitting on the ground in the shade. Prefers to run, rather than fly when alarmed. Active at night, when far-carrying yaps reveal its presence.
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