One look at this bird's strong beak and you'll see why it has little problem eating fruits or nuts covered by even the hardest of shells or skins. Although hyacinth macaws are common in captivity, we know little about their habits in the wild. It is a highly social bird, and is often seen in large flocks in parts of South America. Breeding is a time-consuming undertaking for these birds: more than six months pass between the onset of courtship and the raising of their chicks.

This is the largest member of the parrot family, measuring nearly three feet from head to tail.

Range: Eastern South America