Blue-and-Yellow Macaw

The Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna), also known as the blue-and-gold macaw, is a large South American parrot. It is a member of a large group of neotropical parrots known as macaws. It can be found in areas of the Amazon basin where large Mauritia palm stands grow. The macaws are exclusively linked with this species of a palm tree, feeding mostly on its nutritious "dates" and using the dead palm tree cavities as colonial nesting sites.

These birds are among the bigger members of their family, growing to a length of 76-86 cm and a weight of 0.900-1.5 kg. They have beautiful aqua blue feathers on the top of their bodies, with the exception of their head, which is lime green. However, the bottom has a gorgeous deep yellow/light orange color. The feathers under their chin and their beak are also black. With the exception of black talons, its feet are gray in hue. The bird has white skin, and the only feathers on its face are a few sparse black ones that make a striped pattern around its eyes when they are separated from one another. Irises are a light yellow color.