Animal Behavior:  Blue macaws are very social birds. They perform courting, copulation and bonding activities throughout the year, and are usually seen in pairs. They are most active from morning to mid-afternoon and fly in groups of two to eight to and from the feeding grounds. After feeding they return home to their roosting trees around sunset and spend the night there. Blue macaws are often described as gentle giants, with gentle and loving personalities.

Eating Habits:  Largely dependent on palm nuts but will occasionally feed on small seeds, sprouts and snails.

Range:  Blue macaws are native to the neotropics. The geographic range of blue macaws is from lower Central America to about halfway down the South American continent and is concentrated south of the Amazon River.

Conservation Efforts:  The population has been steadily declining for many years. Unfortunately, blue macaws live in an area of Brazil that is being rapidly developed. The destruction of their habitat, as well as hunting and trapping by humans, has substantially reduced their numbers. Long term conservation efforts have been made, and now some land owners living in the Patanal do not allow trappers on their property.

Animal Facts:  Although blue macaws breed year round, they have a low reproductive rate from 100 pairs, about 7 to 25 offspring are produced per year. This is counteracted by their longevity they have lifespans which last decades. Blue macaws are monogamous, usually remaining with one partner for their entire life.  Life span is estimated to be around 50 years.