Lear's Macaw

The Lear's Macaw, Anodorhynchus leari, (also more commonly known as the Indigo Macaw) is a Brazilian parrot with a highly restricted range. The bird is metallic blue tinged with green, and a yellow patch of skin by the bill. It weighs around 950 g and is 75 cm long.

For over a century after its being described, the whereabouts of the wild population was unknown. It was eventually discovered in 1978 in the interior northeast of Brazil, in stands of licuri palm, the nuts of which form a prominent part of its diet. This habitat, while never plentiful, is currently estimated to be around 1.6% of its original cover. The Lear's Macaw also requires sandstone cliff in which to nest. The population, as of 1994, is 140 birds. As well as habitat loss , the Lear's Macaw has also historically suffered from hunting and, more recently, trapping for the aviary trade. It is currently listed as Critically Endangered (CITES I).

This bird is named for the poet Edward Lear.

External link

• BirdLife Species Factsheet