The blue parrot is a rare and beautiful bird found primarily in South America and Central America. While there are several blue parrot species, the most well-known is the hyacinth macaw, which is known for its striking cobalt blue plumage. Determining the exact breed of a blue parrot can be challenging for the average bird enthusiast, as there are subtle differences between similar species. However, with some basic knowledge about blue parrot taxonomy and identification, the specific breed can often be pinpointed.
Major Blue Parrot Species
There are four main species of blue parrots found in the Americas:
| Species | Description |
| Hyacinth Macaw | The largest of the macaw species, has bright cobalt blue plumage with yellow around the eyes and lower beak. Native to central and eastern South America. |
| Glaucous Macaw | A larger blue macaw with pale blue-grey coloring. Extinct in the wild, only captive populations remain. |
| Blue-and-yellow Macaw | Green with blue wings and tail, and a yellow/orange collar. Native to South America. |
| Blue-throated Macaw | Bright blue feathers with yellow-orange patches on the face. Critically endangered, from Bolivia. |
These four species encompass the majority of blue parrots. There are also several smaller blue parakeet species found in Central and South America. When trying to identify a blue parrot breed, it is important to consider size, coloring, beak shape, and geographic origin if known.
Identifying the Hyacinth Macaw
With its striking, fully blue plumage, the hyacinth macaw is often what first comes to mind when people think of a “blue parrot.” Native to east-central South America, the hyacinth macaw is the largest flying parrot species in the world. It has bright cobalt blue feathers over its entire body, with a contrasting yellow ring around its eyes and lower beak. The beak itself is extremely large and powerful. Hyacinth macaws measure nearly three feet (90 cm) from head to tail, with a wingspan over four feet. Their huge size sets them apart from other blue macaw species. They also have a loud, rolling call that sounds like a human laugh.
Hyacinth macaws thrive in riverine habitats, feeding on nuts from native palms. However, habitat destruction has made the species endangered in the wild. They can still sometimes be seen flying over forests and grasslands near rivers and streams in eastern Bolivia, central Brazil, and Paraguay. Responsible captive breeding programs help preserve the hyacinth macaw bloodlines while conservation efforts work to protect their natural habitat. Due to their popularity as pets, many captive hyacinths are likely hybrids with other blue macaw species. However purebred individuals can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.
The Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous macaw looks quite similar to the hyacinth but is pale blue-grey in color rather than bright cobalt blue. They are about two feet long, with a yellow circle around their eyes and lower beak. The glaucous macaw is believed to have originally been native to coastal regions of Brazil, but hunting and habitat destruction led to its extinction in the wild. The last well-documented sighting was in the 1960s. However, unconfirmed reports suggest it may still exist in remote regions, though the species is generally considered extinct outside of captivity. Glaucous macaws can sometimes be found in captivity through avian breeders because captive populations still exist. However they are rare in comparison to other blue macaw species.
Identifying the Blue-and-yellow and Blue-throated Macaws
The blue-and-yellow macaw and blue-throated macaw are smaller than the hyacinth and share some similar features like their large powerful beaks. The blue-and-yellow macaw is mostly green in color however, with blue flight feathers and a bright yellow collar around their neck which distinguishes them. The blue-throated macaw is smaller with a mostly yellow front and bright blue feathers on its back, wings and tail. It can be distinguished from the blue-and-yellow by its lack of any green coloring, and the iconic bright blue patch on its cheeks and throat.
These species are critically endangered due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade. However, aviculture enthusiasts have sizable captive populations of both blue-throated and blue-and-yellow macaws, allowing their legacy to be continued through responsible breeding programs. These smaller blue macaws are still a sight to behold with their bright, colorful plumage.
Distinguishing Features of Common Blue Macaws
When identifying a blue macaw breed, there are some key physical and geographic distinctions between the common species:
| Species | Key Identifiers |
| Hyacinth | Very large, entirely cobalt blue, yellow eye ring/lower beak, loud laugh-like call, from central South America |
| Glaucous | Pale blue-grey, medium size, yellow eye ring/lower beak, extinct in wild |
| Blue-and-yellow | Green with blue wings/tail, large yellow band around neck |
| Blue-throated | Mostly yellow with blue back/wings, bright blue throat patch |
These key identifiers help set the common blue macaw species apart. Rare hybrid individuals may show intermediate features. And unidentified rare species may potentially occur within extremely remote South American habitats. But the four species listed here account for nearly all blue macaw specimens found in captivity or known to science.
Blue Parakeets and Other Smaller Species
In addition to the larger blue macaws, Central and South America are also home to a number of smaller blue parakeet species. These include:
– Blue-bellied parakeet: Small green parakeet with blue underparts, from eastern Brazil.
– Azure-shouldered parakeet: Mostly green with a blue head and blue shoulders, native to Ecuador and Peru.
– Blue-fronted parakeet: Olive-green with a bright blue forehead and throat, native across northern South America.
– Golden-tailed parakeet: Green with vivid blue wings and a golden-yellow tail. Indigenous to Colombia and Panama.
While popular as pets, these smaller neo-tropical parakeets are generally not what first comes to mind when people think of a “blue parrot.” However, they are beautiful birds in their own right and important to consider when identifying an unknown specimen. Plumage patterns and geographic origin are key to distinguishing these species. Several other Central and South American parakeet species may also have some blue in their plumage while not being primarily blue overall.
Using Genetic Testing to Identify Origin
For birds of unknown origin or probable hybrid breeds, genetic testing can help identify ancestry and breed composition. By sequencing a bird’s DNA and comparing to known macaw genetic profiles, its heritage can be deduced. Companies like the Avian Biotech International Laboratory offer genetic testing services for avian species. They maintain DNA databases against which new samples can be tested for species identification and ancestry. This can be useful for definitively identifying the background of a bird obtained through unknown sources. Certain mutations can also indicate if a bird is a hybrid of multiple macaw species. For the most accurate breed identification, genetic testing provides definitive results that can augment visual identification.
Consulting with Avian Experts
When identification of a blue macaw breed remains uncertain, consulting experts may help provide a definitive answer. Avian specialists like ornithologists or long-time bird breeders are often able to instantly identify species based on subtle plumage patterns, beak shape, and geographic origin. They look for small differences imperceptible to amateur bird lovers that allow definitive species categorization. Reaching out to reputable experts through avian societies and conservation organizations can provide a trustworthy identification in ambiguous cases. Some may even volunteer to examine photographs or perform genetic testing to satisfy their scientific curiosity about rare hybrid or variant individuals. Their specialized expertise solves many identification mysteries.
Conclusion
Determining the breed of an unknown blue parrot first requires considering key factors like size, plumage color patterns, beak shape, geographic origin, and any noticeable vocalizations. The four main blue macaw species have distinct identifiers that allow most individuals to be reliably categorized by visual examination alone. For less common hybrids or species, genetic testing provides definitive ancestry data. Consulting highly experienced avian experts can also settle difficult identification cases through their specialized knowledge. With some careful sleuthing and a bit of background research, identifying the breed of nearly any blue parrot is possible for a dedicated and observant bird lover. The vibrant world of South American blue macaws and parakeets continues to inspire breeders and captivate parrot enthusiasts.
