Psittacus ararauna, L. Blue and Buff Macaw (Ger., Blauer gelbbrsstiger Arara, Gemeiner blauer Arara, Ararauna, grosser gelb und blauer Arara; Fr., Ara bleu, Ararauna; Dut., Blauwgeele Ara) - Description - Habitat - Domestic Character.

The common Blue Macaw, as it is usually called in the trade, was described as early as 1558 by Thevet, and afterwards by Gessner and Aldrovandi. These authors also give details of its life in captivity, its food, and other peculiarities, which correspond with what we know of it now, though, of course, in accounts of the kind many fictions have crept in. Later writers, including Buffon, have also treated of it at length.

It is olive-green on the forehead, and front of the head as far as above the eyes; the top and back of the head is greenish-blue; the cheeks and the region round the ear of a deep orange-yellow; the stripe on the cheeks, and the upper part of the throat, black; the quills and tail feathers are olive-yellow on the inner web, with black edges; all the rest of the upper part of the body blue; all the under part a deep orange-yellow; the wings and tail are olive-yellow on the reverse side, and the under coverts of the tail blue; the beak black; the cere, the stripe near the beak, the lores, and the eye cere, flesh-coloured, usually powdered; below the eye there are three lines of small black feathers, three similar lines in front of the eye, the former horizontal, the latter perpendicular; the eyes greenish-white, or greenish pearl-grey; the feet brownish-black; claws black. In size it is nearly as large as a domestic cock (length, 37 1/2in.; wings, 14 3/8in. to 15 3/8in.; tail, 19 1/2-in. to 21 1/2in.).

It is a native of South America from Honduras to Peru, and is also found in Bolivia and Uruguay. Of late, it has been largely imported; it is common in the bird market, and is usually seen in zoological gardens.

According to Dr. Schmidt and some others, it is very hardy. Linden states that a Blue and Yellow Macaw of his shows great intelligence, is very cunning, and has learnt to say many things, but particularly distinguishes itself by its capability of learning quickly. The dealers esteem it as the best speaker among the macaws.