Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar?
These two bird species despite their differences have a similar evolutionary history. Their shared dependence on palm swamps for nesting and roosting underscores the interconnectedness of nature as well as the need to conserve habitats that are endangered.
With its vibrant blue plumage and distinctive yellow accents the hyacinth macaw is unmistakable. Its beak, which appears to be smiling can tear coconuts and brazil nuts.
The Hyacinth Macaw
The hyacinth Macaw is the largest parrot, and a magnificent bird. It has a striking blue colour with yellow accents around the eyes and lower part of the beak. This can make it look like it's smiling. It has short sturdy legs that let it hang upside down or sideways. It also has a beak that is hooked with a large hook that is adapted to break open coconuts. They are smart and social and tend to stay with the same person throughout their lives.
Hyacinth macaws do not migrate, and their distribution is dependent on the availability of specific palm species that provide their primary food source. This is the primary distinction between macaws and other parrots which are generally migratory.
The hyacinth Macaw is a prey species that eats large amount of nuts from native palm trees. Especially the acuri, and the bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks enable them to crack open these hard seeds. They also consume fruits and other plant material.
They are not migratory and their population is tightly dependent on the availability of the palms acuri and bocaiuva that provide the majority of their food source. This is a major distinction between macaws, and other parakeets that are generally migraters.
Contrary to most parrots, which prefer rainforests with dense tropical forests, the hyacinth macaw is able to be found in less forested areas, such as palm swamps and flooded grasslands. The majority of the hyacinth macaw's population is found in the Pantanal which is the world's largest tropical wetland in Brazil.
Like other birds they are monogamous. They pick a partner around 3-4 years of age and remain with them for their entire lives. They are extremely social animals and often interact and communicate with humans. However, it is important to keep in mind that they are wild creatures and should not be removed away from their natural habitat.
If you'd like to enjoy the company of a beautiful, intelligent and playful animal that can imitate your words, you should consider adopting the pet parrot of an aviculturist who breeds these amazing creatures. Find a responsible aviculturist that is well-established is the best way to ensure that these magnificent creatures will be cared for in captivity.
The Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw (Ara glaucus) is one of the most colorful birds in the Amazon basin. The large parrot is blue on the top parts and yellow underparts. It can be found in forests of tropical South America. It is a scarce bird and is classified as Critically Endangered. The reason for this bird's decline is most likely the trapping of live adults for the wild bird trade and the mass felling of yatay palms (Butia yatay) which are believed to be the primary food source.
The name of this bird comes from its striking blueish hue. It is described in terms of pale turquoise to azure. Its underparts are yellowish in hue, while its head is grey. It is smaller than Lear's Macaw and more slender than hyacinth Macaw.
The glaucous Macaw is not only a beautiful bird, it is also a symbol of hope to those living in the Amazon Basin. The glaucous Macaw is hoping to be discovered in the wild soon and that populations can be restored. This will ensure the survival of the spectacular species.
Although the glaucous Macaw is thought to be extinct, a few reports of its reemergence have been reported throughout the years. The most exciting of these was in February 1992, when a female specimen arrived at Customs in Britain. It was an animal that was housed in some of the world's most famous Zoos. At the time, it seemed to be a genuine Glaucous Macaw.
However, this supposed authentic glaucous macaw was eventually discovered to be a hybrid between Lear's and hyacinth macaws. Furthermore, its azure coloration was more like that of the macaws of Hyacinth and it had been created for the purpose of breeding hybrids.
Even even if the glaucous macaw were to come back to the wild again however, it is not likely that it will be able to breed and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been severely endangered for a long time and it would be extremely tragic if this stunning tropical giant was to be forever lost.
The Macaw's Origins
Macaws can form a strong connection with their human companions and can be affectionate. Pixie mini macaw are vocal birds, with a wide range of calls and songs. They enjoy imitating sounds and voices, particularly those of human counterparts. Macaws that live with humans can even learn to imitate words. Macaws use loud, shrieking sounds to communicate with one another or to warn of danger. They will call for 5-10 minutes a few times throughout the day.
When a pair of macaws choose to form a bond they will remain in a bond until one of them dies. They will groom each other's feathers at night and roost together with each other. Once a year they will also mate and lay eggs in a nest made in the tree or a dirt hole on the rock face. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks and the male gathers food and shields chicks from predators.
Macaws were regarded as companion birds by humans once they began to interact with them. They were regarded as symbols of love and power, with their powerful beaks as well as bright blue feathers. Some people believed that a macaw would tell them secrets about the future or answer their prayers. Through their shrieking sounds they were used to scare away crocodiles and snakes.
There was no way to know how many wild glaucous Macaws existed for many years. The data showed that a few specimens were in captivity but no one was aware of their origins or the date they were born. One famous bird was at Paris the Jardin d'Acclimatation from 1886 until 1905, while another inhabited an animal park in Buenos Aires from the 1920s until 1936. Despite these early records it was widely believed that the glaucous macaw had gone extinct in the wild.
In 2010 an analysis of isotopics in eggshells and macaw feces showed that the glaucous macaw still exist in the wild in northwestern Mexico. The results of the study were published by Science. The researchers suggest that the glaucous Macaws in the wild are likely to have originated from the Paquime population in northern Chihuahua. The apparent longevity of the birds is due to the fact that they can adapt to their surroundings. They are able to survive in dry desert conditions, for example.
The Future of the Macaws
As the stories of the hyacinth Macaw and the Glaucous macaw show shows, parrots have a remarkable capacity to adapt to their environments. In the wild, parrots can traverse miles to find nesting sites or mates. They also are able to mimic human speech. Their feet are shaped to allow them to climb in trees. They can even carry food through their beaks.
However, despite these abilities, parrots have not been domesticated the same way that cats and dogs have. They are wild creatures and must live their lives in the same way as their ancestors did. Because of their wild nature, if you are planning to bring a parrot into your home, ensure that you do it with careful thought and care. Parrots can be noisy and large, and they 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.
The Spix's Macaw is among of the most successful reintroduction efforts. It was believed to be extinct, until Helmut Sick, his field assistant Dante Teixera and their team spotted three of them in 1974 near Formosa do Rio Preto. At the time the only known pair of birds was in the captive at Al Wabra in 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 needed to do it quickly, however, as the number of breeding pairs was very low. They also had to establish different lineages in the various breeding centers, to ensure that one pair did not overrun the entire population.
The conservationists began searching Brazil for any Spix's macaws currently in private ownership that could be made available to be reintroduced. Owners initially were hesitant because they feared prosecution for violating a law which prohibited the export of wildlife. But gradually, "one by one, people started coming forward," says Kiessling.