Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar?
Despite their differences the two bird species share a common evolutionary story. Their dependence on the palm swamps to nest and roost emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature's world and the importance of conserving endangered habitats.
The hyacinth Macaw can be easily identified by its bright blue feathers and yellow accents. Its apparent smiley beak packs an impressive bite that can break coconuts and huge brazil nuts.
The Hyacinth Macaw
The Hyacinth Macaw is the biggest parrot and a magnificent bird. see page is a striking blue color with yellow highlights around the eyes and lower beak, which makes them appear as if they're smiling. It has a short sturdy legs that let it hang sideways or upside down. It also has a hooked beak with a hook that is adapted to crack open coconuts. They are extremely intelligent and social, and tend to stay with a single person for the rest of their life.
Hyacinth Macaws aren't migratory 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 usually migratory.
The hyacinth Macaw eats a number of nuts that are native to palm trees. Particularly, the acuri and the bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks allow them to crack open these hard seeds. They also eat fruits and other plant material.
They are not migratory and their population is linked to the availability and quality of Bocaiuva and Acuri Palms that provide their primary source of food. This is a major distinction between macaws and other parakeets, who are more likely to be migration-oriented.
Contrary to most parrots, which prefer rainforests with dense tropical forests, the hyacinth Macaw can be found in less forested areas like palm swamps and grasslands that have been flooded. The majority of population of the hyacinth macaw is located in the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland in Brazil.
Like other birds they are monogamous. They select their partner at approximately 3-4 years old and stay with them throughout their entire life. They are extremely social animals and are often seen interacting with humans, however it is important to remember that they are wild animals that should never be removed from their natural habitat.
Consider adopting a parrot for pet from an aviculturist that breeds these amazing creatures. Find a responsible aviculturist that is well-established is the best way 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 found in the Amazon basin. The large parrot is blue on the top parts and yellow underparts. It is found in the forests of tropical South America. This bird is very rare and classified as Critically endangered. The cause of the decline of this bird is most likely the trapping of live adults for the trade in wild birds and the mass felling of yatay palms (Butia yatay) which are believed to have been its main food source.
The name of this bird comes from its striking blueish hue. It can be described as light turquoise to the color of azure. The underparts of the bird have a yellowish hue and its head is grey. It is smaller than Lear's macaw, and is more slender than the macaws of hyacinth.
In addition to being a beautiful bird, the glaucous macaw is also an emblem of hope for those living in the Amazon Basin. The glaucous macaw is expected to be found in the wild soon and populations could be restored. This will ensure the survival of this magnificent species.
Although the glaucous Macaw was believed to be extinct, several reports of its reemergence have been reported over the years. The most exciting of these came in February 1992 when a female specimen was spotted at Customs in Britain. It was a bird that was kept in a few of the world's leading zoos and at the time it was believed to be was a genuine Glaucous Macaw.
The glaucous Macaw, which was believed to be authentic, was revealed to be a hybrid of the Lear's hyacinth and macaws. Its azure color was more reminiscent of the hyacinth, and it had been bred to breed hybrids.
Even the glaucous Macaw was to reappear in the wild, it's unlikely that the bird would reproduce and have healthy offspring. This bird has been critically threatened for far too long. It is tragic if this gorgeous tropical giant was to disappear for ever.
The Origins of the Macaws
Macaws can form a strong bond with their humans and are affectionate. They are vocal birds, and can be heard with many different calls and songs. They enjoy mimicking sounds and voices especially those of their human counterparts. Macaws that live with humans can learn to imitate words. Macaws use loud, shrieking noises to communicate with each other or to warn of danger. They will call for between 5 and 10 minutes many times throughout the day.
If a pair of macaws form a bond they will remain in a bond until one of them dies. They will groom each other's feathers at night and share a roost with each other. Every year, they also mate by laying eggs in a nest constructed in the tree or a dirt hole in the rock face. The female incubates the egg for 12 weeks while the male collects food and shields the chicks from predators.
Macaws were regarded as companion birds by humans once they began to interact with them. They were regarded as symbol of love and power with their powerful beaks and vibrant blue feathers. Some people believed that a macaw would tell them secrets about the future or answer their prayers. With their shrieking sounds they were used to scare away crocodiles, or snakes.
For a long time, no one knew the precise number of macaws in the wild that existed. The data showed that a few specimens were kept in captivity, but no one knew their location or age. One famous bird lived at Paris"Jardin d'Acclimatation" from 1886 to 1905, while another was an animal park in Buenos Aires from the 1920s until 1936. Despite these early reports it was widely believed that the glaucous macaw had gone extinct in the wild.
However, in 2010, analysis of isotopes in eggshells and macaw feces showed that the glaucous Macaw does still exist in the wild in northwestern Mexico. The results of the study were published by Science. The authors suggest that the glaucous macaws in the wild probably originated from a group in the Paquime region of northern Chihuahua. The birds' apparent long-lived is due to the fact that they are able to adapt to their surroundings. They can live in desert conditions that are dry, for example.
The Future of the Macaws
Parrots can adapt to their surroundings in a fascinating way. In the wild, parrots can travel for miles to find mates or nesting spots. They can also mimic human speech. Their feet are designed so that they can perch in trees and climb them. They can even carry food through their beaks.
However, despite these abilities Parrots haven't been domesticated in the same way as cats and dogs have been. They are wild creatures and need to live in the same way as their ancestors did. Due to their wild nature, if you are planning to incorporate a parrot into your home, ensure you are doing it with great thought and care. Parrots can be noisy and large and they can cause harm to your furniture and home. They are also listed on CITES due to over-collection for the pet trade and habitat loss.
One of the best examples of a successful reintroduction program is the long and fascinating story of the Spix's Macaw which was thought to be extinct until Helmut Sick and his field assistant, Dante Teixera, spotted three of them near Formosa do Rio Preto in 1974. At the time the only known pair of the birds was kept in captivity at Al Wabra in Qatar.
In a meeting in Sao Paulo city, Purchase and other conservationists agreed that the only solution to the problem was to release macaws from captivity into the wild. They needed to do it fast, however, since the number of breeding pairs was very low. Additionally, they needed to create separate lines at the different breeding centers to ensure that a single pair of parents did not overrun the entire population with its genetics.
So the conservationists began searching Brazil for any Spix's macaws currently in private hands which could be rehabilitated to be reintroduced. The owners were initially reluctant to submit their information due to the risk of being charged with breaking an act that prohibited the export of wildlife. Kiessling says that "one by one" people began to come forward.