It's big, it's bright,

and it's vulnerable to lots of threats.

The largest parrot by length in the world,

it can grow up to 40 inches.

Their feathers are a beautiful striking blue.

Unfortunately, their good looks have made them

highly desirable in the illegal pet trade,

fetching upwards of $10,000.

Hyacinths are native to Central and South America,

primarily in the scrublands

at the outskirts of the rainforest.

It is an affectionate bird,

but its powerful beak carries

over 200 pounds of pressure per square inch,

strong enough to crack a coconut.

Their diet in the wild consists mostly of nuts

from native palms.

Beyond being a hot commodity in the pet trade,

Hyacinths are watching their habitat

get converted to farmland,

leaving them less and less space to live.

This is the Hyacinth Macaw.

(dramatic music)