Hyacinth macaws (anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, psittacidae) feeding on termites

Abstract

Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) feed largely on palm seeds and fruits. Here, we report a pair of Hyacinth Macaws feeding on termites. We visited the nesting tree of a pair of Hyacinth Macaws at the southern border of the Brazilian Pantanal on a monthly basis during one year. Macaws were present during four of these visits, and we recorded them foraging on arboreal termites in their nesting tree during one of the visits. Using their beaks, both macaw individuals repeatedly broke away bark pieces from decaying branches, and handled them with beak and feet to ingest termites found on the inner side of the bark. Nesting in decaying trees likely increases opportunities for Hyacinth Macaws to find termites, and the feeding behavior of these macaws indicates that they are familiar with and able to consume termites. This is the first report of termite consumption by this species.