Blue-and-yellow Macaw

The Blue-and-yellow Macaw is a spectacular canopy-dweller found year-round in Ecuador’s eastern lowland rainforests, particularly within the Amazon basin below about 1,000 meters. Though generally uncommon, it occurs locally in mature terra firme and floodplain forests, where pairs or small flocks forage for fruits, nuts, and seeds, often traveling long distances between feeding sites. Globally listed as Least Concern, its population is suspected to be declining due to habitat loss and trapping, but it remains widespread across northern South America. Known for its loud, raucous calls and lifelong pair bonds, this species nests in tree cavities and plays a vital role in seed dispersal, adding both color and ecological function to the rainforest canopy.