Blue-winged Macaw
Also known as:
Illiger's Macaw
Also known as:
Illiger's Macaw
DID YOU KNOW?
Some wild Blue-winged Macaws have problems with cataracts when they age, which limits their ability to find food.
Size:
43 cm (16.8 in)
Weight:
265 g (9.2 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
one
Colour Adult:
Both adults: forehead red; crown, nape, and lower cheeks green/blue; red on low back and middle of abdomen; blue tail with red/brown around base. Beak black. Bare cere and face pale yellow. Eye orange.
Colour Juvenile:
Red forehead paler; red on abdomen and back tinged with yellow; tail shorter. Eye brown.
More Information:
Content Sources:
CITES
Avibase
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Plan 2000-2004, Snyder, McGowan, Gilardi and Grajal, 2000.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Captive Status:
Uncommon
Longevity:
50-60 yrs
Housing:
Should have access to large enclosure at least 15 m long for part of the year. If breeding, may be kept in suspended cage 3 m (9.8 ft) long. Keeping permanently indoors not recommended.
Diet:
Soaked or sprouted sunflower seed; walnuts, roasted peanuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, pine nuts; fresh corn or boiled maize; fruits such as: banana, orange and others if taken; small amounts of wholewheat bread, and complete kibble for macaws. If in tropical area palm fruits can be given.
Enrichment:
Love to climb and play. Provide lots of bird-safe chew toys of wood and vegetable tanned leather. Also provide safe branches to chew. Provide as much room for activity as possible.
Nest Box Size:
12″ x 12″ x 24″ (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 61 cm) vertical box.
Clutch Size:
3 or 4
Fledging Age:
8-10 weeks
Hatch Weight:
—
Peak Weight:
—
Weaning Weight:
—
World Population:
Unknown.
IUCN Red List Status:
Least Concern
CITES Listing:
Appendix I
Threat Summary:
Not globally threatened. In much of its range, it is regularly seen and occurs in human-modified mixed tropical forest landscapes. In 2025, research showed that it had increased its numbers in Brazil.
Range:
Found in E Brazil at Ilha da Marajo, Para, and southern Para and Maranhao south to Mato Grosso, Sao Paulo and formerly Rio Grande do Sul, and scattered through E Paraguay to NE Argentina.
Habitat:
Found up to 1000 m (3280 ft). Occurs in tropical and subtropical evergreen and deciduous forest, including Atlantic rainforest and cerrado savanna; prefers forest edge or areas close to water. In northern Bahia found in gallery woodland in caatinga zone.
Wild Diet:
Recorded taking flowers, and seeds of introduced species Melia azedarach in NE Brazil; other details on diet lacking.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Prefers to stay in one area, occurs in pairs or small groups; less conspicuous than larger macaws. Avoids flying across open country; preferring to instead fly amongst trees.
Clutch and Egg Size:
3 or 4 rounded eggs, 37 x 30 mm (1.4 x 1.2 in)
Breeding Season:
December in Brazil, February in Argentina. Nest is in tree cavity.
