Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Blue-and-gold Macaw)

The Blue-and-yellow Macaw is one of the most recognizable and magnificent parrots in the world, boasting brilliant cobalt-blue upperparts, vibrant golden-yellow underparts, and a contrasting black chin. Known for their intelligence, loud calls, and long lifespans, they travel in pairs or large flocks across South American riverine forests.

Vibrant turquoise to cobalt blue upper vane transitioning into a brilliant bright cyan or white-blue central patch, bordered by distinct dark brownish-black markings at the tip and edges; strong structural coloration

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barb structure along the vane with smooth, continuous margins and no afterfeather

Strong, central white or pale-shafted rachis with high barb density and uniform angle of barbs relative to the shaft, maintaining high structural rigidity

Smooth, glossy, and firm texture with a stiff vane and high structural rigidity characteristic of large psittacine flight and contour feathers

Wing covert or upper body contour feather, easily determined by the striking contrast of vivid blue, white/cyan transition zones, and dark terminal banding

Striking iridescent cobalt blue color transitioning into bright cyan/white, bold dark terminal and marginal bands, and a robust white rachis

Tropical rainforests, woodlands, savannahs, and forest edges, typically near rivers or flooded lands in South America

South America, ranging from Venezuela and Trinidad down through Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay

Acts as a primary seed disperser and predator in tropical ecosystems, helping maintain forest regeneration and plant diversity

Other large South American macaws such as the Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis) or Military Macaw (Ara militaris), distinguished by different facial markings, green body plumage, or lack of bright cyan wing patches

Macaws form lifelong monogamous pairs and can live for up to 60 or even 80 years in captivity. They frequently eat clay from river banks to neutralize toxins found in the seeds and fruit they consume in the wild.

Macaw feathers have historically been used by indigenous Amazonian tribes in traditional headdresses, ceremonial garb, and art. They are also popular among crafters and collectors worldwide.

Look for the unmistakable combination of vivid structural cobalt blue and bright golden-yellow or cyan tones unique to large neotropical parrots

The feather is in excellent condition with an intact, clean vane, sharp margins, and no visible fraying or parasitic damage