Habitat
Edge of humid lowland evergreen forests, along rivers and by clearings and other breaks in continuous canopy, and on the outskirts of towns. From sea-level - 1,550 m.
Eastern Peru and extreme western Brazil south to northern Bolivia.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 9,200 - 46,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction through expansion of the logging industry as well as mining and drilling for gas, trapping for the cage-bird trade, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
In flight gives a soft rasping 'purrr' or 'raaah'. Also a variety of high-pitched shrieks and squawks.
Blue-headed Macaw (Primolius couloni) [XC122758]
by Roshan Tailor from Manu Learning Center, Madre de Dios, Peru (call)
Blue-headed Macaw (Primolius couloni) [XC555923]
by Huw Lloyd from Parque Estadual Chandless, Santa Rosa do Purus, Acre, Brazil (call, perched call)
Subspecies
Normally placed in genus Ara. Forms superspecies with Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana) and Yellow-collared Macaw (Primolius auricollis) and sometimes considered conspecific with Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana).
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana) which has mostly green head with red front, pale face patch and dark bill.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet