The Illiger's macaw (Primolius maracana), also known as the blue-winged macaw, is named after Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger (19 November 1775 – 10 May 1813) – a German entomologist and zoologist. It is solid dark green with hues of blue that accent the parrot’s plumage and give it its common name. It is native to South America and is found in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. These smaller parrots have the typical macaw features with white skin and large beady eyes. The eyes are amber in colour giving this bird a most striking appearance. Illeger’s Macaws enjoy palm groves, feeding almost exclusively on the palm nuts and nesting in holes in the palms. The palms normally grow in water, lending the macaws additional protection against predators.
