Similar yet different
Our pavilion is home to two species of blue macaws: the Hyacinth Macaw and the extremely precious Lear’s Macaw, which was once thought to be extinct. Both live in South America, feed on the hard fruits of palm trees and look quite similar. Nevertheless, they differ in many ways.
Illustration: Pavel Procházka
Lear’s Macaw
Distinguishing features
- It is three quarters the length of the Hyacinth Macaw.
- The pale yellow patch beside the lower bill has a crescent moon shape.
- Toes are long and thin.
- The feathers on the head and neck are lighter, slightly green-tinged.
A jewel from the red cliffs
The Lear’s Macaw inhabits the caatinga – dry, thorny scrubland with cactus stands and numerous gorges. The birds hollow out crevasses in the red sandstone cliffs, where they nest and sleep in numerous colonies; they fly off in flocks to the surrounding plains for food.
Hyacinth Macaw
Distinguishing features
- The largest of parrots, growing up to 100 cm in length.
- The deep yellow patch beside the lower bill forms a narrow streak.
- Toes are shorter and thicker.
- The feathers are all deep blue.
the Blue king of green brazil
The Hyacinth Macaw makes its home in the palm trees growing in the floodplains of the Pantanal, the Brazilian wooded savanna and forest edges – a rich green landscape. They usually move in pairs or small groups; pairs nest individually in tree cavities.
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Contacts
- The Prague zoological garden
U Trojskeho zamku 120/3
171 00 Praha 7
Phone.: (+420) 296 112 230 (public relations department)
e-mail: zoopraha@zoopraha.cz
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