Hyacinth Macaw: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Parrots and Colourful Birds · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. Measured from head to tail tip, the hyacinth macaw is 1 m long. No other parrot in the world is longer.
2. Its mighty beak can crack coconuts and macadamia nuts. Its dry, smooth tongue even has a bone inside, handy for getting into fruit.
3. Acuri palm nuts are too hard even for this macaw. It can only eat them once they have passed through the gut of a cow.
4. It sometimes uses a tool: a chewed leaf or a bit of wood that stops a hard nut from slipping while it gnaws.
5. Toucans are friend and foe. They spread 83% of the seeds of the manduvi, the macaw's main nest tree, but also eat many of its eggs.

The quiz

1. How long is a hyacinth macaw from head to tail tip?

• About 20 cm
• About 50 cm
• 1 m (correct)
• 2 m

At 1 m long, it is the longest parrot in the world.

2. What is inside the hyacinth macaw's tongue?

• A bone (correct)
• A sticky pad
• A row of tiny teeth
• A venom gland

Its dry, smooth tongue has a bone inside that helps it get into fruit.

3. What has to happen before the macaw can eat acuri nuts?

• They must soak in a river
• They must pass through a cow (correct)
• A toucan must crack them
• They must dry in the sun for a year

The nuts are only soft enough after passing through the gut of cattle.

4. What does a hyacinth macaw use as a tool?

• A sharp stone
• A thorn to spear grubs
• A chewed leaf or bit of wood (correct)
• One of its own feathers

A chewed leaf or wood keeps a hard nut from slipping while it gnaws.

5. Which bird spreads the seeds of the macaw's nest tree but also eats its eggs?

• The rhea
• The hummingbird
• The harpy eagle
• The toucan (correct)

Toucans spread 83% of manduvi seeds and also eat macaw eggs.

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