Birds Found in the Amazon

Covering most of the Amazon basin, which is located in South America, the Amazon rain forest is home to more than 2.5 million different insect species and 378 different types of reptiles. With more than 1500 types of birds living in the Amazon rainforest and basin areas, birds such as blue-and-yellow macaws coexist with other birds like the yellow-crowned parrot as well as harpy eagles and white-throated toucans.

  1. Blue-and-Yellow Macaw

    • The blue-and-yellow macaw is one of seven different types of macaws found in the Amazon rainforest. Outfitted with exotic-looking and brightly colored blue and yellow feathers, this Amazon bird is attracted to the hotels and lodges situated around the Amazon region and will fly up to people eating in outdoor areas. It can also be identified by the small patch of bare skin situated near the base of its bill. Usually paired up with other macaws while in flight, the blue-and-yellow macaws are popular types of birds for local painters in the Amazon to use in their paintings.

    Yellow-Ridged Toucan

    • Featuring a very large and long bill averaging 5 inches or more in length that allows the bird to reach small fruits located at the end of a tree branch, the yellow-ridged toucan is just one of a dozen different types of toucans found in the Amazon region. This bird has a clear yellow tinge located near its throat area. Its eggs have a gestation period of just over 18 days.

    Harpy Eagle

    • Feeding on such tree-dwelling animals like sloths and small monkeys, the harpy eagle can be found in the Amazon rainforest. This bird species is a carnivore of the Amazon area and is an active predator during both daylight and evening hours. Covered with very dark feathers all over its body, the harpy eagle contains a white underbelly that clashes with its otherwise dark coloring. Female harpy eagles typically weigh between 14 to 20 pounds while their male counterparts weigh just under 12 pounds at their heaviest.

    Hoatzin

    • Found in various mangrove sections near the Amazon river, the hoatzin is a tropical bird that resembles a pheasant and stands over 25 inches in height at its tallest. Featuring a long neck and a small head, the hoatzin is brown in color and also contains a blue coloring around its face, while its eyes are maroon in color. Known to give off very loud and noisy calls on a regular basis, including groans, hisses and loud croaks, the hoatzin feeds mainly on leaves and fruits located in the Amazon region.