Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar?
Despite their distinct characteristics the two bird species share a common evolutionary story. Their reliance on palm swamps to nest and roost underscores the interconnectedness of nature as well as the need to protect habitats that are endangered.
The hyacinth Macaw is easily identified by its bright blue feathers and yellow accents. Its seemingly smiling beak packs a powerful bite that can crack coconuts and large brazil nut pods.
The Hyacinth Macaw
The Hyacinth Macaw is by far the largest parrot and is a stunning bird. It's striking blue with a pop of yellow around the eyes and lower beak, which makes them appear to be smiling. It has sturdy legs that let it hang upside down or sideways and a massive hooked beak that is designed to break open coconuts. They are intelligent and social, and tend to stay with the same partner throughout their lives.
Hyacinth Macaws don't migrate and their distribution is based on the availability of palm species, which are their primary food source. This is the primary distinction between macaws and other parrots that are typically migraters.
A large proportion of the hyacinth macaw's diet is comprised of the nuts of native palm trees, specifically the acuri and the bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks enable them to break open these seeds. They also eat fruit and other plant material.
They are not migratory birds, and their population is dependent on the availability of the acuri and bocaiuva palms that provide the majority of their primary food source. This is a major distinction between macaws and other parakeets which tend to be migrants.
The hyacinth Macaw is a parrot that is found in areas with less dense forest like palm swamps or grasslands that flood. The vast majority of the population of the hyacinth macaw is located in the Pantanal which is the world's largest tropical wetland area in Brazil.
Like all birds, hyacinth macaws are monogamous. They pick a partner around 3-4 years of age and remain with them for their entire lives. They are very social and often interact and communicate with humans. However it is crucial to keep in mind that they are wild animals and should not be removed from their natural environment.
You can consider adopting a parrot as pet from an aviculturist who breeds these magnificent creatures. Finding a responsible aviculturist who is well-established is the best method to ensure that these incredible animals will be well-cared for in the wild.
The Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw, or Ara Glaucus is among the most colorful birds in the Amazon basin. This large parrot has blue top parts and yellow underparts. It can be found in forests of tropical South America. It is a very rare bird and is classified as Critically Endangered. The main cause of the decline of this bird is most likely the trapping and selling of live adults in the market for wild birds as well as the wholesale cutting down of the yatay (Butia) palms.
The name of this bird comes from its strikingly blue hue, which can be described as a pale turquoise to azure. Its underparts have a yellowish hue, while its head is grey. It is smaller than the Lear's macaw and more slender than the hyacinth macaw.
The glaucous Macaw isn't only a beautiful bird but also a symbol of hope to those living in the Amazon Basin. The glaucous macaw is expected to be found in the wild within the next few years and populations could be restored. This will ensure the survival of this stunning species.
Although the glaucous macaw is thought to be extinct in the wild, there have been several known reappearances over the years. Leia blue macaw and red macaw Buy Macaw of these was in February 1992, when a female specimen arrived at Customs in Britain. It was a bird that had been kept in some of the world's most well-known zoos. At the time, it seemed to be a genuine glaucous Macaw.
However, this purportedly authentic glaucous macaw eventually revealed to be a hybrid between Macaws of Lear and Hyacinth. Its azure coloring was more reminiscent of the hyacinth and it was bred to breed hybrids.
Even if the glaucous macaw does come back to the wild again however, it is not likely that it can breed and produce healthy offspring. The bird has been threatened for too long, and it would be incredibly tragic if this stunning tropical giant were to be forever gone forever.
The Origins of the Macaws
Macaws can form a strong relationship with their humans and are affectionate. They are vocal birds that can sing a variety of songs and calls. They also love mimicking sounds, specifically the voice of their human companion. Macaws who live with humans can learn to mimic words. Macaws make loud, shrieking sounds in order to communicate with one another or to warn of danger. They can be heard calling for 5-10 minutes a few times throughout the day.
If two macaws decide to join forces, they will remain together until one of them dies. They will adorn feathers of each other and roost together at night. Each year they also mat, laying eggs in a nest that is constructed in a tree hole or dirt hole in the cliff face. The female incubates the egg for 12 weeks, while the male collects food and shields the chicks from predators.
As humans began to interact with macaws, they began to train them, and then use them as companion birds. They were considered to be symbol of love and power, with their powerful beaks and bright blue feathers. Some people believed the macaw could predict the future or answer their prayers. With their shrieking sounds, they were used to scare away crocodiles or snakes.
It was unknown how many wild glaucous macaws were in existence for so long. There were records of a few specimens that were in captivity, but nobody knew where they came from or what age they were. One famous bird lived in Paris"Jardin d'Acclimatation" between 1886 and 1905. Another bird was in a zoo near Buenos Aires during the 1920s to 1936. Despite these early reports, it was widely believed that the glaucous Macaw was extinct.
In 2010, however an analysis of isotopes revealed that the glaucous macaw remains in the wild. The results of this study were published in Science. The authors suggest that the macaws that are glaucous in the wild likely came from a population in the Paquime region in northern Chihuahua. The birds' apparent longevity is a result of the fact that they are adaptable to their environment and be able to survive in different conditions, including desert conditions.
The Future of the Macaws
Parrots are able to adapt to their environment in a remarkable way. In the wild, they move miles away from their home to find new mates and nesting places. They also are able to mimic human speech. Their feet are shaped so that they can perch in trees and climb them. They can carry food inside their beaks.
But despite these natural abilities parrots aren't domesticated in the same way as cats and dogs have been. They are still wild animals and they need to continue to live the way their ancestors did. Because of their wild nature, if you want to bring a parrot into your home, ensure you are doing it with great thought and consideration. Parrots can be noisy and large and can cause damage to your furniture and home. The CITES list also includes the possibility of habitat loss and the over-collection of parrots for the pet industry.
One of the most impressive examples of a successful reintroduction project is the storied background of the Spix's macaw that was thought to be extinct until Helmut Sick and his field assistant, Dante Teixera, spotted a party of three birds close to Formosa do Rio Preto in 1974. At the time of the discovery the only pair of birds kept in captivity was in Al Wabra, Qatar.
At a meeting in the city of Sao Paulo, Purchase and other conservationists decided that the only solution was to release captive macaws into the wild. They had to do it quickly, however, as the number of breeding pairs was very low. They also needed to establish different lineages in the various breeding centres, to ensure that one pair did not take over the entire population.
The conservationists began to scour Brazil for any Spix's macaws currently in private ownership that could be made available to be reintroduced. Owners were initially reluctant due to fear of prosecution for breaking a law that prohibited the export of wildlife. Kiessling says that "one by one" people began to come forward.