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
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Principe Seedeater
Crithagra rufobrunnea
An incredibly dowdy small seedeater with a pink-horn bill and a pale throat. On São Tomé its color is gray-brown and on Príncipe more buffy-cinnamon. On São Tomé it is a common resident in most habitats from primary forest to suburban gardens up to 1500 meters of elevation; on Príncipe it is uncommon and more restricted to forest. Song is variable, but mostly a strident, rapidly delivered series of high-pitched notes “tseet-teet-teet-teet-tseeu-tseeu-tseeu” or similar; call is a slurred “tshweet.” The much larger Sao Tome Grosbeak is chestnut in color and rare in remote forest on São Tomé; Yellow-fronted Canary is much brighter.
Noisy Pitta
Pitta versicolor
A distinctive bird with a chestnut crown. This species has green and black wings, dull yellow underparts, a black facial stripe, a bright blue shoulder patch, and a red patch under the tail. A very colorful species, it can although be inconspicuous while it hops around foraging on forest floors. Primarily found in rainforest, this species undertakes seasonal movements and can be found very close to the coast (including in mangroves) during winter. It is usually heard before it is seen: its call, a loud, well-known “walk to work”, is a typical sound of rainforests within its range. Sometimes calls from high in the canopy.
Rufous-headed Tanager
Hemithraupis ruficapilla
Small and restless tanager found in the canopy of forest borders and lighter woodlands where it often accompanies mixed-species flocks. Males have a cinnamon head with a yellow side to the neck, and an orange throat and rump. Males are olive-green above and on the tail and off-white below. Females are quite uniformly olive-green with gray flanks and are identical to female Guira Tanagers.
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