Blue-headed Macaw
Primolius couloni
Small macaw of lowland rainforest. Its dull blue head is distinctive; the species is otherwise green with blue wings. Does not have light facial skin like other macaws. Especially common around disturbed habitat, such as agricultural areas and along rivers. Listen for its flat, breathy “rreea” calls that are given in flight.
Identification
The blue-headed macaw is 41 cm (16 in) long. It has mainly green plumage (often tinged olive, esp. below) with the head, flight feathers and primary coverts blue. The uppertail has a maroon base, a narrow green center and a blue tip. The undertail and underwing are greenish-yellow similar to that of several other small macaws (e.g. red-bellied and golden-collared macaw). The medium-sized bill is pale greyish-horn with a black base (extent varies, but upper mandible in adults typically appears mainly pale). The iris is whitish with a narrow, often barely visible, maroon eye-ring. Unlike most other macaws, the facial skin and lores are dark greyish. The legs are dull pinkish. Juveniles resemble adults, but with the entire bill black, greyer legs, darker iris and the facial skin and lores white.
Taxonomy
In recent years it has often been placed in the genus Propyrrhura; however, as per ICZN rules, the species is now considered to be in the genus Primolius. Earlier, it has also been placed in the genus Ara, which, at present, is only used for some of the larger macaws.
- Scientific name
- Primolius couloni
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL, 1876)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Primolius
Range and habitat
It is found in the south-west Amazon and adjacent east Andean foothills. It prefers openings in humid forest, e.g. along rivers or clearings, but has also been observed in Moriche Palm swamps and outskirts of towns. It occurs from the lowlands up to an altitude of 1550 m (5100 ft). As several other parrots, the blue-headed macaw is known to visit clay-licks.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Little is known about its reproductive behavior in the wild, but a possible nest has been recorded in a bamboo cavity and another in a tree cavity. In captivity, the reproductive cycle appears to be roughly annual with a clutch size of 2-4 being the norm. In the wild it is typically seen in groups of 2-4 individuals, with occasional records of groups up to c. 60 individuals. Its call is higher-pitched and softer than that of most other macaws.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Icterine Warbler
Hippolais icterina
Medium-sized warbler, light olive-brown above and yellowish below. Distinctive features include longish, daggerlike bill, long primary projection in the wings, and square tail. Told from similar Melodious Warbler by usually conspicuous pale wing panel, longer wings, and marginally shorter bill. Usually difficult to see when singing except during song flights, when long wings are apparent. Found in tall forest with oaks and birch, mixed forest, gardens, and parks. Song is fast, loud, and melodious with lots of mimicry.
Northern House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
Small brownish wren, usually rather plain overall, with dark barring on the wings and tail. Lacks white eyebrow. Occurs in a variety of open or semiopen habitats, including suburbs, parks, rural farmland, and woodland edge with thick tangles. Larger, longer tailed, and generally slightly paler than Winter and Pacific Wrens. Often perches conspicuously when singing, but otherwise fairly secretive. Listen for bubbly song of chatters and trills, and harsh scolding calls.
Painted Bunting
Passerina ciris
Incomparably beautiful songbird in which adult males are almost too colorful, with a jarring combination of rich blue head, bright red underparts, and lime green back. Females and immature males are plain green and unstreaked, not brown-toned like other buntings. Breeds in shrubby fields and forest edges, where males often sing from a high exposed perch. Found in a variety of weedy or thickety habitats in winter, often in small flocks that like to stay low and hidden. Sometimes visits feeders. Two disjunct populations look and sound very similar, but have different migration routes. Eastern birds, mainly breeding in Georgia and South Carolina, just migrate south to Florida and the Caribbean for the winter. Larger western population centered in Texas migrates to western Mexico and then filters south through Central America.
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