Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana)

The historic distribution of the Blue-winged Macaw included north-eastern, central, and south-eastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and north-eastern Argentina. Globally, it is considered a near threatened species.

Distribution in Argentina

In Argentina, the Blue-winged Macaw was widespread in the province of Misiones, with numerous historic records at various localities. In our study area, the species was common until 1970.

The Blue-winged Macaw is a large, noisy, conspicuous bird. However, the past 20 years have produced no reliable records of the species in Argentina. In five years of field work and interviews with local people at many sites throughout Misiones, we did not record this macaw. We believe that the Blue-winged Macaw is probably extinct in Argentina.

Why did it disappear from Argentina?

In Argentina, the Blue-winged Macaw was common in the 1950s, but its population seems to have declined rapidly after that. We think one of the main causes was lethal control by local farmers who considered the Blue-winged Macaw a crop pest. To eliminate this “pest” they used firearms, traps, and poison. Older farmers from Tobuna told us they tried to shoot entire flocks in their corn fields or when they came to the salt that had been spread in the pasture for the cattle. Especies afectadas actualmente por el control letal

Species currently affected by lethal control

Today, although it is against the law, many people still practice lethal control of parrots in northern and central Misiones. The Scaly-headed Parrot (Pionus maximiliani) attacks corn and is frequently shot. Although this parrot is widespread in Argentina, lethal control could lead to a local reduction in the population. The endangered Vinaceous Amazon (Amazona vinacea) does not usually affect agricultural crops, but it is occasionally shot because of confusion with the Scaly-headed Parrot. In many parts of Misiones, all parrots are thought to be crop pests, so often any species seen near a corn field will be shot.

What are we doing?

• In schools, we show pictures of the Blue-winged Macaw and use this bird as an example of a locally extinct species. We talk about other species that will disappear if we continue to hunt them, catch them for pets, and eliminate their habitat. We ask local farmers if they remember the Blue-winged Macaw and if they notice that any other species are in decline.
• We ask what they think should be done to improve the conservation of species they are interested in. We try to encourage a feeling of pride and empathy for wild birds. .

What else should be done?

It looks like it is already too late to help the Blue-winged Macaw in Argentina. In Misiones, the species was declared a Provincial Natural Monument by law 3455. Unfortunately, this law came too late, and the Blue-winged Macaw disappeared from Argentina.

To avoid repeating this story with other species, national and provincial governments should organize multidisciplinary workshops to develop management strategies for species that farmers consider agricultural pests. Then, these strategies should be implemented and monitored.

 It would be interesting to interview farmers in southern Brazil and eastern Paraguay, to understand what happened to the Blue-winged Macaw in those countries.