Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AVES |
PSITTACIFORMES |
PSITTACIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus |
| Species Authority: |
(Latham, 1790) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Hyacinth Macaw |
| Spanish |
– |
Guacamayo Azul, Guacamayo Jacinto |
|
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Endangered
A2cd
ver 3.1
|
| Year Assessed: |
2008 |
| Assessor/s: |
BirdLife International |
| Reviewer/s: |
Symes, A., Butchart, S. |
| Contributor/s: |
Clay, R., Pryor, J., Herrera, M., Yamashita, C. |
Justification:
This species qualifies as Endangered because the population has undergone very rapid reductions in the past and the threat from illegal trapping for the cagebird trade plus habitat loss remains.
|
| History: |
| 2004 |
– |
Endangered
|
| 2000 |
– |
Endangered
|
| 1996 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1994 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
|
Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus occurs in three areas of Brazil: east Amazonia (along the rios Tocantins, Xingu and Tapajós, and possibly persists in Amapá), the Gerais of Maranhão, Piauí, Bahia, Tocantins, Goiás, Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais, and in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and marginally into east Bolivia (Santa Cruz), and Paraguay (Concepción with local reports from Alto Paraguay2). Throughout the 1980s the species suffered major declines as an estimated 10,000 birds were illegally captured for the pet trade and widespread habitat destruction and hunting caused a further reduction in numbers12. The majority of the population is now located in the Pantanal, where since 1990 the species has shown signs of a recovery and expanded its range10,12, probably in response to conservation projects. Populations in east Amazonia and the Gerais have continued to decline, from an estimated 1,500 individuals in 1986 to 1,000 in 2003. The total population was estimated at 6,500 individuals in 2003, of which 5,000 were in the Pantanal12 and around 200 in Bolivia14.
|
| Countries: |
Native:
Bolivia; Brazil; Paraguay
|
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
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Population
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| Population: |
Anon (2004) estimated 6,500 in 2003, of which 5,000 were in the Pantanal.
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
It occurs in várzea and savanna adjacent to tropical forest in east Amazonia, campo cerrado, caatinga and palm-stands in the Gerais, and palm-savannas in the Pantanal. It feeds mostly on the hard fruit of a few regionally endemic palm species9 (Scheelea phalerata and Acrocomia aculeata in the Pantanal11). Nesting is from July-December in large tree-cavities (primarily in Sterculia apetala in the Pantanal1) and on cliffs (in the north-east). Two eggs are usually laid, but only one chick normally fledges9.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
There has been massive illegal trade in the species. At least 10,000 birds were taken from the wild in the 1980s, with 50% destined for the Brazilian market5. In 1983-1984, over 2,500 were flown out of Bahía Negra, Paraguay, with an additional 600 in the late 1980s7. Although these numbers are now much reduced, illegal trade still continues (e.g. 10 passed through a pet market in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, between August 2004-July 2005, where birds were changing hands for US$ 1,000 and were destined for Peru13). There is some local hunting for food and feathers. In Amazonia, there has been habitat loss for cattle-ranching and hydroelectric power schemes on the rios Tocantins and Xingu. In the Pantanal, only 5% of S. apetala trees have suitable cavities1,4. Young trees are foraged by cattle and burnt by frequent fires6. The Gerais is being rapidly converted to mechanised agriculture, cattle-ranching and exotic tree plantations3.
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Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I and II, protected under Brazilian and Bolivian law and banned from export in all countries of origin. Many ranch-owners in the Pantanal (and increasingly in the Gerais) no longer permit trappers on their properties. There are several long-term studies and conservation initiativeseg.12. At the Caiman Ecological Refuge in the Pantanal the Hyacinth Macaw Project has used artificial nests and chick management techniques and raised awareness among cattle ranchers12.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Study the current range, population status and extent of trading in the different parts of its range8. Assess the effectiveness of artificial nest-boxes8. Enforce legal measures preventing trade. Experiment with ecotourism at one or two sites to encourage donors8.
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