Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar?
These two species of bird, despite their differences, have similar evolutionary histories. Their dependence on the palm swamps to nest and roost emphasizes the interconnectedness of the natural world and the importance of protecting endangered habitats.
With its vibrant blue plumage and distinctive yellow accents the macaw hyacinth is recognizable. Its empathetic beak is packed with an incredibly powerful bite that can crack coconuts as well as large brazil nuts.
The Hyacinth Macaw
The macaw hyacinth is a stunning bird that is also the largest parrot. It's striking blue in color with yellow highlights around the eyes and lower beak, which can make 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 crack open coconuts. They are very smart and social, and tend to remain with one partner throughout their lives.
Hyacinth Macaws aren't migratory and their range is contingent on the availability of palm species that are their primary food source. This is the major difference between macaws, and other parrots which are generally migratory.
A significant portion of the hyacinth macaw's diet is comprised of the nuts of native palm trees, particularly the acuri and Bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks permit them to crack open these hard seeds. They also eat fruits and other plant material.
They are not migratory and their population is closely linked to the availability and quality of Bocaiuva and Acuri Palms that provide their primary food source. This is an important distinction between macaws and other parakeets, which typically tend to be migrants.
In contrast to the majority of parrots that prefer tropical rainforests with dense vegetation, the hyacinth Macaw can be found in lightly forested areas, such as palm swamps and grasslands that have been flooded. The vast majority (90 percent) of the hyacinth Macaw population is found in the Pantanal region, which is the largest wetland of tropical origin in Brazil.
Like all birds that are monogamous, hyacinth macaws too. They pick their partner at around 3-4 years old, and stay with them for their entire life. They are extremely social animals and often interact and communicate with humans. However it is essential to remember that they are wild creatures and should not be taken from their natural surroundings.
Consider adopting a parrot as pet from an aviculturist who breeds these magnificent creatures. Finding a responsible aviculturist who is established is the best way to ensure that these incredible animals will be well-cared for in captivity.
The Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw, or Ara Glaucus is among the most colorful birds in the Amazon basin. This large parrot can be found in the tropical forests of South America. It has a blue-colored top and yellow underparts. It is a very rare bird and is classified as Critically Endangered. The main reason for the decline of this bird is likely the trapping and sale of adult birds in the wild bird market, and the mass cutting down of the yatay (Butia) palms.
The name of this bird comes from its strikingly blueish hue. It can be described in terms of pale turquoise to the azure. The underparts of the bird are yellowish and it has a gray head. It is smaller than the Lear's macaw and more slender than the 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 expected to be discovered in the wild very soon and that populations can be restored. This will ensure the future of this magnificent species.
Although the glaucous macaw is believed to be extinct in the wild, there are a few known reappearances over the years. In February 1992 an adult female specimen was found at Customs in Britain. It was an animal that was kept in some of the most prestigious Zoos. At the time it was believed to be a glaucous Macaw.
However, this supposed authentic glaucous macaw eventually revealed to be a hybrid of Macaws of Lear and Hyacinth. Its azure coloring was more reminiscent of the hyacinth's and was bred to breed hybrids.
Even if the glaucous macaw does come back to the wild once more however, it is not likely that it will be able to reproduce and produce healthy offspring. The bird has been threatened for far too long. It is tragic if this gorgeous tropical giant were to disappear for ever.
The Macaw's ancestors
Macaws generally form an intense bond with their human counterparts and are often very affectionate. They are vocal birds with a variety of songs and calls. They enjoy mimicking sounds and voices, particularly those of human counterparts. Macaws that live with humans can even learn to imitate words. The loud, shrieking calls that macaws emit are their natural method of communicating with other members of their family or to warn of danger. They call between 5 and 10 minutes frequently throughout the week.
If two macaws form a bond they will remain in a bond until one of them dies. They will groom each other's feathers during the night and share a roost with each other. Every year, they also mat, laying eggs in a nest that is constructed in a tree hole or dirt hole in the rock face. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks, while the male gathers food and shields the chicks from predators.
macaw purchase began to interact with macaws, they began to train them and use macaws as companion birds. With their powerful beaks, and their bright blue feathers, they were seen as symbols of love and power. Many believed that a macaw could reveal to them secrets about the future or answer their prayers. They were also used to scare off snakes and crocodiles with their shrieking sound.
For many years, no one knew the exact number of macaws in the wild that existed. There were records of a few specimens in captivity, but no one knew where they originated from or the age at which they were. One famous bird was at Paris' Jardin d'Acclimatation from 1886 until 1905 while another inhabited the zoo of 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.
However, in 2010 an analysis of isotopics in eggshells and macaw feces revealed 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 macaws with glaucous likely came from a population in the Paquime region of northern Chihuahua. The apparent longevity of the birds is a result of the fact that they are extremely adaptable to their environment and endure in a variety of conditions, including desert conditions.
The Macaw's Future
Parrots are able to adjust to their environment in an amazing way. In the wild, they can travel miles from their home to find new mates and nesting places. They also have the ability to mimic human speech. Their feet are designed to allow them to climb and perch in trees. They can even carry food in their beaks.
Parrots aren't as domesticated as cats and dogs despite their natural capabilities. They are wild creatures and need to live the way their ancestors did. If you are planning to bring one of these birds into your home, you should do so with great care and consideration. Parrots are large and noisy and can cause damage to your home and furniture. The CITES list also includes them due to habitat loss and excessive collection of parrots for the pet industry.
The Spix's Macaw is one of the most successful reintroduction projects. 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 of the discovery the only pair of birds that were in captive was in Al Wabra, Qatar.
In a meeting in the city of Sao Paulo, Purchase and other conservationists agreed that the only solution was to release captive macaws back into the wild. The number of breeding pairs is small, and they needed to act fast. They also needed to establish different lineages in the various breeding centres, to ensure that one pair did not take over the entire population.
So conservationists began searching Brazil for any Spix's macaws that were in private ownership that could be made available for reintroduction. Owners initially resisted the idea of come forward because they risked being charged with breaking an act that prohibited the export of wildlife. Kiessling claims that "one by one" people began to come forward.