Macaws of the Pantanal
Macaws of the Pantanal
Known locally as the Gavião-real (Royal Hawk), the Harpy Eagle is the largest raptor in the South American rainforest, and one of the world's largest eagles – albeit with a comparatively short wingspan which increases its manoeuvrability through forested habitats. Although rare, it ranges widely across Latin American rainforests where it inhabits the upper canopy and preys on small animals among the tree-tops.
Overview
Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) can measure up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length. They're golden yellow in colour, with a regular pattern of black tonal scales forming a pattern of longitudinal black lines along the body. It has sometimes reddish fins, a black stripe on the tail, and an especially muscular jaw packed with two rows of saw-like teeth. The dorado has been described as "a prehistoric golden trout or salmon with the jaws of a pit bull terrier". As such, it's bony head and jaw muscles comprise around a quarter of its overall length. Also, as befitting a predator, it has well-developed eyesight and smell. Despite its scientific name and general shape, the dorado isn't related to the salmon - it's freshwater fish without any ocean-going phase.
There is little visual differentiation between the males/females - except some minor physical differences on the anal fin. The most obvious indication is likely to be the size as females grow to be considerably larger - reaching 30 kg. By contrast, the males grow only to around 10 kg.
There is little visual differentiation between the males/females - except some minor physical differences on the anal fin. The most obvious indication is likely to be the size as females grow to be considerably larger - reaching 30 kg. By contrast, the males grow only to around 10 kg.
Blue and Gold Macaw or Arara-amarela or Arara-canindé
(Ara ararauna)
Length: 86 cm. The blue and gold macaw is the only major macaw species, with fully yellow underside. As with other macaw species, they mate for life and are generally seen in pairs. This is evident even when gathered together in flocks of 30 or more birds. Blue and gold macaws can travel great distances every day, as they move between various sites to feed and to rest. They inhabit Pantanal forests, cerrado, and grassland areas with scattered trees such as buriti and babassu palms. The macaws feed on seeds, coconuts and other fruits. Nests are generally built in hollows and the dead trunks of palm trees.
Curiosities
• Blue and gold macaws typically weight between 0.99 and 1.3kg
• The position varies from one to three eggs
• In the Pantanal, there stands of buriti palm trees, where dozens of couples get together every year to court. These palms grow in flooded fields hindering any land approach from possible predators.
• Thousands of these macaws are captured for the live animal trade. Because of its size and the clandestine nature of the trade, Brazilian figures are impossible to measure, but the numbers taken from Bolivia and Guyana alone was around 18,350 between 1981 and 1984.
• Although breeding programmes have improved to reduce numbers taken from the wild, a significant proportion of the captive birds today were originally wild-caught as chicks.
• The process to capture macaw chick is doubly destructive. Poachers often chop down the trees containing the nest as a means to get to the chicks. Aside from the obvious loss of chicks, this results in a loss of suitable nesting trees, which reduces chances for the species’ survival in next breeding season. Although new trees are being planted as part of conservation efforts, these take decades to mature. Fortunately, artificial nesting boxes have been introduced successfully in some Pantanal locations.
Scarlet Macaw or Arara-vermelha
(Chloroptera Ara)
Length: 90-95 cm. The red macaw macaw differs from the yoke (trellising), Amazonian species, especially by the presence of streaks of red feathers on the face and the absence of yellow on the wing. Generally, it is observed in pairs. Searching for food in the canopy of the forest, tall trees, where you will find fruits, seeds, buds and leaves. Inhabits savannas, woodlands and open areas with scattered trees and even the Savanna. Builds its nest in hollows of tall trees; can also take advantage of cavities in rocky cliffs.
Curiosities
• A red macaw weighs between one and 1.7 kg.
• Posture is two to three eggs.
• The Scarlet Macaw can be seen often near rocky cliffs of sandstone, which rests in natural cavities.
• Your very loud, distinctive cry is different from other macaws, and you can identify it even if not seen.
• In the Pantanal, dispute nests with ARARAUNA.
Hyacinth Macaw or Arara Azul
(Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)
Length: 100cm. The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest of all macaw and parrot species worldwide. Its beak is also proportionally bigger than any other parrot species – with its extra size and strength being essential for opening the hard nuts of the Bocaiuva (Macaúba) Palm, also known as the “Macaw Palm”
Hyacinth Macaws’ plumage is a uniform dark blue in colour, which can appear black if viewed from a distance. Generally, birds are sighted in groups, which can have more than a dozen individuals. During the breeding season, from September, the group splits up into couples. Nests are made in excavated hollows in tall trees, or buriti palms. The manduvi tree is particularly well suited for these nests, and planting of these trees (combined with artificial nest boxes) has been a focus of the conservation for hyacinth macaws in the Pantanal. These macaws inhabit the cerrado, palm groves, and forested areas. They feed on seeds, coconuts and other fruits.
Curiosities
• The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest parrot in the world.
• The usual approach is two eggs and sometimes even three.
• Incubation period is 27 to 30 days.
• The chicks remain in the nest between 105 and 110 days of age. Usually only one chick survives.
• On a farm in the Pantanal for more than 30 years, Macaws and parrots gather to sleep every night in the near bocaiuval headquarters. Typically more than 200 Macaws and about a thousand parrots.
• It is estimated that the current population of the macaw does not exceed three thousand birds.
(Ara ararauna)
Length: 86 cm. The blue and gold macaw is the only major macaw species, with fully yellow underside. As with other macaw species, they mate for life and are generally seen in pairs. This is evident even when gathered together in flocks of 30 or more birds. Blue and gold macaws can travel great distances every day, as they move between various sites to feed and to rest. They inhabit Pantanal forests, cerrado, and grassland areas with scattered trees such as buriti and babassu palms. The macaws feed on seeds, coconuts and other fruits. Nests are generally built in hollows and the dead trunks of palm trees.
Curiosities
• Blue and gold macaws typically weight between 0.99 and 1.3kg
• The position varies from one to three eggs
• In the Pantanal, there stands of buriti palm trees, where dozens of couples get together every year to court. These palms grow in flooded fields hindering any land approach from possible predators.
• Thousands of these macaws are captured for the live animal trade. Because of its size and the clandestine nature of the trade, Brazilian figures are impossible to measure, but the numbers taken from Bolivia and Guyana alone was around 18,350 between 1981 and 1984.
• Although breeding programmes have improved to reduce numbers taken from the wild, a significant proportion of the captive birds today were originally wild-caught as chicks.
• The process to capture macaw chick is doubly destructive. Poachers often chop down the trees containing the nest as a means to get to the chicks. Aside from the obvious loss of chicks, this results in a loss of suitable nesting trees, which reduces chances for the species’ survival in next breeding season. Although new trees are being planted as part of conservation efforts, these take decades to mature. Fortunately, artificial nesting boxes have been introduced successfully in some Pantanal locations.
Scarlet Macaw or Arara-vermelha
(Chloroptera Ara)
Length: 90-95 cm. The red macaw macaw differs from the yoke (trellising), Amazonian species, especially by the presence of streaks of red feathers on the face and the absence of yellow on the wing. Generally, it is observed in pairs. Searching for food in the canopy of the forest, tall trees, where you will find fruits, seeds, buds and leaves. Inhabits savannas, woodlands and open areas with scattered trees and even the Savanna. Builds its nest in hollows of tall trees; can also take advantage of cavities in rocky cliffs.
Curiosities
• A red macaw weighs between one and 1.7 kg.
• Posture is two to three eggs.
• The Scarlet Macaw can be seen often near rocky cliffs of sandstone, which rests in natural cavities.
• Your very loud, distinctive cry is different from other macaws, and you can identify it even if not seen.
• In the Pantanal, dispute nests with ARARAUNA.
Hyacinth Macaw or Arara Azul
(Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)
Length: 100cm. The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest of all macaw and parrot species worldwide. Its beak is also proportionally bigger than any other parrot species – with its extra size and strength being essential for opening the hard nuts of the Bocaiuva (Macaúba) Palm, also known as the “Macaw Palm”
Hyacinth Macaws’ plumage is a uniform dark blue in colour, which can appear black if viewed from a distance. Generally, birds are sighted in groups, which can have more than a dozen individuals. During the breeding season, from September, the group splits up into couples. Nests are made in excavated hollows in tall trees, or buriti palms. The manduvi tree is particularly well suited for these nests, and planting of these trees (combined with artificial nest boxes) has been a focus of the conservation for hyacinth macaws in the Pantanal. These macaws inhabit the cerrado, palm groves, and forested areas. They feed on seeds, coconuts and other fruits.
Curiosities
• The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest parrot in the world.
• The usual approach is two eggs and sometimes even three.
• Incubation period is 27 to 30 days.
• The chicks remain in the nest between 105 and 110 days of age. Usually only one chick survives.
• On a farm in the Pantanal for more than 30 years, Macaws and parrots gather to sleep every night in the near bocaiuval headquarters. Typically more than 200 Macaws and about a thousand parrots.
• It is estimated that the current population of the macaw does not exceed three thousand birds.
Behaviour and Habitat
Based on it's mood, the dorado switches from being Dr Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. It can be mild and timid or it can be a savage predator. It sits at the top of the food chain - actively hunting other smaller fish. It's sharp teeth and powerful jaws make a quick meal of anything that gets in its way - with its jaws very occasionally turning on swimmers or fisherman exercising insufficient care with the fish they've just reeled in. Their favourite hunting grounds appear to be the rough water near waterfalls and rapids, or the entryways into lakes and streams. They also shelter under fallen trees or other underwater obstructions, using them as a station to hunt. The dorado's diet consists primarily of other fish - but analysis of stomach contents have also shown them to eat large inserts, small vertebrates (such as rodents), snakes, lizards and birds.
Dorado are migratory - moving up and down the regions' connected river systems as the seasons, temperature and food sources change. They occupy a range of freshwater environments stretching across southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Uruguay, and into Bolivia and Paraguay. This habitat includes the river basins of the Paraguai (and Pantanal), Uruguai, Chaparé, and Mamoré Rivers, plus the drainage area of the Lagoa dos Patos lagoon in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Close relatives of the dorado can also be found in the Rio São Francisco (Salminus franciscanus); the upper Paraná, Amazon and Orinoco basins (Salminus hilarii or tabarana); and in the Santiago and Magdalena basins of Ecuador and Colombia (Salminus affinis or Dorada/Rubia).
Dorado are migratory - moving up and down the regions' connected river systems as the seasons, temperature and food sources change. They occupy a range of freshwater environments stretching across southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Uruguay, and into Bolivia and Paraguay. This habitat includes the river basins of the Paraguai (and Pantanal), Uruguai, Chaparé, and Mamoré Rivers, plus the drainage area of the Lagoa dos Patos lagoon in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Close relatives of the dorado can also be found in the Rio São Francisco (Salminus franciscanus); the upper Paraná, Amazon and Orinoco basins (Salminus hilarii or tabarana); and in the Santiago and Magdalena basins of Ecuador and Colombia (Salminus affinis or Dorada/Rubia).
Reproduction
Dorados' behaviour is generally solitary, but changes in the reproductive period of late spring and summer (Oct-Mar). During this time, dorado will flock together are they migrate back towards their breeding grounds - sometimes jumping up small waterfalls and rapids. This period, known as the piracema (spawning) is crucially important for the protection of Pantanal fish stocks - coinciding with a total fishing ban. According to some literature, the migration journey is around 400 km, with a daily average distance travelled of around 15 km. Unfortunately, the construction of dams and other barriers can block off dourados' migration paths - which is why the maintenance of the Pantanal is so important, as its main waterway, the Paraguai river, is the last major river in the area to remain undammed.
Females reach maturity at around 4 or 5 years of age, and will start to take part in the annual spawning. Each female dorado can deposit up to 2 million eggs. The emergence of the young fish coincides with the period of peak food availability - making it a little easier dorado to survive. However, the eggs and young dorado are defenceless - meaning that they also make a good meal for other opportunistic predators (including other larger dorado). As a result, few young dorado ever reach maturity. Notably, immature dorado are silver in colour - making them easily confused with the closely-related Tabarana (Salminus hilarii). However, they yellow-gold tone gets strong as the dorado age. These are a slow-growth fish - with a lifespan exceeding 15 years. Sadly, increased environmental pressures and overfishing across much of its range mean that fewer fish are reaching this age - with both their size and numbers decreasing.
Females reach maturity at around 4 or 5 years of age, and will start to take part in the annual spawning. Each female dorado can deposit up to 2 million eggs. The emergence of the young fish coincides with the period of peak food availability - making it a little easier dorado to survive. However, the eggs and young dorado are defenceless - meaning that they also make a good meal for other opportunistic predators (including other larger dorado). As a result, few young dorado ever reach maturity. Notably, immature dorado are silver in colour - making them easily confused with the closely-related Tabarana (Salminus hilarii). However, they yellow-gold tone gets strong as the dorado age. These are a slow-growth fish - with a lifespan exceeding 15 years. Sadly, increased environmental pressures and overfishing across much of its range mean that fewer fish are reaching this age - with both their size and numbers decreasing.
Dorado and pacú photographed in an Argentine marketplace. Photo: Humberto Terenziani.
Sports Fishing
Dorado are among the most coveted trophies for South American anglers, sports fishermen and tourist. Besides its large size, beautiful appearance and taste, the fish has a well-earned reputation as a strong fighter with high jumps and stamina - requiring strength, skill and patience to catch successfully. Sports fishing doesn't necessarily present a conflict with conservation. The flow of tourists and economic benefit can help quantify the value of the fish - promoting measures for the preservation and management of fish stocks. The increased trend towards catch and release fishing also means that fish aren't necessarily being depleted or taken out of the breeding population.
Conservation and Threats
Some areas, where they were formerly abundant, dorado are now rarely encountered. Dorado also now appears on the threatened species list for the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul due to the intense degradation and pollution of natural habitat, combined with pressures from overfishing. In many areas of its range, the ability for dorado to follow their natural migratory routes has been negatively impacted by the construction of hydroelectric dams and other barriers, as well as pollution from manufacturing and agricultural run-offs. Although its possible to construct dams with fish ladders, fish elevators and other technologies to help migrating fish overcome these barriers, environmental concerns such as these weren't always a priority. As such, many historic dams in the area lack these features The Pantanal remains one of the dorado's strongholds but even this appears to be changing. Pisciculture, or fish farming, options are currently being investigated by researchers.
Quick Facts
- Dorado are the largest scaled fish found in the Pantanal. However, they can be outsized by large catfish and stingrays.
- Dorado can leap up to one metre out of the water. This can be seen when attacking prey, or when caught and trying to escape the line.
- Visitors to the region around Bonito, where fishing is prohibited, can swim in clear water streams, observing large Dorados swimming quietly around. It is probably the only location offering this experience.
- The Dorado is the feature fish on a sixth season episode of River Monsters, titled "River of Blood". This was filmed along the Rio Paraná (flowing from southern Brazil into Argentina) and Rio Uruguai. It focused on the Dorado's aggressive predatory reputation.
- The dorado has several other common names or nicknames including: Pirajú, o Rei do rio or King of the river (Brazil), and el tigre del rio or River Tiger (Argentina).
Banner image: Pantaneirio local, Seu Dito Verde playing his traditional Viola de Cocho (Paulisson Miura/Wikimedia)