Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar?
Despite their distinct characteristics the two bird species have a similar evolutionary history. Their dependence on palm swamps to nest and roost demonstrates the interconnectedness between the natural world and the importance of protecting endangered habitats.
With its bright blue plumage and distinctive yellow accents the hyacinth macaw is distinctive. Its apparent smiley beak packs an impressive bite that can crack coconuts and large brazil nuts.
The Hyacinth Macaw
The macaw hyacinth is a magnificent bird that is also the largest parrot. It has striking blue color with yellow accents around the eyes and lower part of the beak. This makes it appear like it is smiling. It has short sturdy legs that allow it to hang upside down or sideways. It also has a hook on its beak with a large hook that can be used to break open coconuts. They are extremely smart and social, and tend to stay with a single person for their entire lives.
Blondie scarlet macaw bird are not migratory and their distribution is dependent on the availability of a specific palm species that provide their primary food source. This is the main difference between macaws, and other parrots which are generally migratory.
The hyacinth Macaw is a prey species that eats number of nuts that are native to palm trees. Especially the acuri, and the bocaiuva. They are able to crack these hard seeds open because of their powerful beaks, and they also consume fruits and other plant material.
They are non-migratory, and their population is closely 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 which tend to be migratory.
The hyacinth Macaw can be described as a parrot that is found in areas with less dense forests like palm swamps or grasslands that flood. The majority of macaw's population can be found in the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland in Brazil.
Like all birds, hyacinth macaws are monogamous. They pick a partner about 3-4 years old and stay with them their entire life. They are very sociable animals and will often interact with humans, but it is important to remember that they are wild animals and should not be removed from their natural habitat.
Consider adopting a parrot for pet from an aviculturist that breeds these incredible creatures. Selecting an aviculturist responsible and who is well-established is the best way to ensure that these magnificent creatures will be cared for in the wild.
The Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw (Ara glaucus) is one of the most vibrant birds in the Amazon basin. The large parrot is found in the tropical forests of South America. It has a blue-colored top and yellow underparts. This bird is extremely rare and is classified as Critically endangered. The reason for the decline of this bird is likely the trapping of live adults to the wild bird trade and the massive thinning of yatay palms (Butia yatay) which are believed to be the primary food source.
The name of this bird is derived from its striking blueish hue. It is described in terms of light turquoise to azure. The underparts of the bird are yellowish and it has a gray head. It is smaller than Lear's macaw and more slender that the Hyacinth Macaw.
The glaucous Macaw isn't only a beautiful bird but also an indication of hope for the people living in the Amazon Basin. The glaucous macaw is expected to be discovered in the wild very soon and populations will be restored. This will ensure the survival of the spectacular species.
Although the glaucous Macaw is believed to be extinct, a number reports of its reemergence have been reported throughout the years. The most promising of these occurred in February 1992 when a female specimen landed at Customs in Britain. It was a bird which was housed in a few of the world's leading zoos and, at the time, it was believed to be was a genuine Glaucous Macaw.
However, this purportedly authentic glaucous macaw was later revealed to be a hybrid of the Lear's and hyacinth macaws. Additionally, its azure coloring was more like the coloration of the hyacinth macaw and it had been created for the purpose of breeding hybrids.
Even if the glaucous macaw does appear in the wild, it is unlikely that it can breed and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been critically threatened for too long. It would be a tragedy if this beautiful tropical giant disappeared for ever.
The Macaw's ancestors
Macaws typically form an intense bond with their human companions and can be quite affectionate. They are vocal birds, with an array of sounds and songs. They enjoy mimicking sounds and voices particularly those of their human counterparts. Macaws who reside with humans are able to mimic the sounds of words. The loud, shrieking calls that macaws make are their normal method of communicating with other members of their flock or to warn of danger. They will call for between 5 and 10 minutes many times a day.
When a pair of macaws form a bond, they will remain together until one dies. They will groom each other's feathers at night and roost together with one another. They also mate at least each year, and lay eggs in a nest constructed in a hollow of a tree or dirt hole on the cliff face. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks while the male collects food and shields the chicks from predators.
Humans began to interact with macaws, they started to train them and used them as companion birds. With their powerful beaks, and their bright blue feathers, they were seen as symbols for love and power. People believed that the macaw could predict the future or even answer their prayers. They were also used to scare away snakes and crocodiles with their shrieking sounds.
No one knew how many wild glaucous Macaws existed for many years. There were reports of a few specimens kept in captivity, but no one knew where they were from or how old they were. One of the most famous birds was in Paris"Jardin d'Acclimatation" between 1886 between 1886 and 1905. Another lived in a zoo near Buenos Aires during the 1920s until 1936. Despite these early reports, it was widely believed that the glaucous Macaw was extinct.
However, in 2010, analysis of isotopes in macaw feces and eggshells revealed 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 could have originated from the Paquime population in northern Chihuahua. The apparent longevity of the birds is due to the fact that they are very adaptable to their environment and are able to endure in a variety of conditions, including desert conditions.
The Future of the Macaws
As the stories of the hyacinth macaw as well as the Glaucous macaw show, parrots are incredibly able to adapt to their surroundings. In the wild, they can travel miles from their home to find new mates and nesting spots. They also have the ability to mimic human speech. Their feet are designed so that they can sit in trees and climb them. They can carry food in their beaks.
Parrots aren't domesticated like cats and dogs, despite their natural abilities. They are wild animals that have to remain in the same way that their ancestors did. If you are planning to bring one of these wild birds into your home, it is important to do so with great care and consideration. Parrots can be noisy and large, and could cause damage to your furniture and home. They are also listed on CITES because of excessive collection to trade in pets and habitat loss.
One of the best examples of a successful reintroduction program is the long and fascinating story of the Spix's Macaw that 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 of the discovery the only pair of birds kept in captivity was at 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 back into the wild. They had to do it fast, however, since the number of breeding pairs was extremely low. In addition, they had to establish separate lineages at different breeding centres so that one pair did not overwhelm the entire population with its genetics.
So the conservationists began searching Brazil for any Spix's macaws currently in private hands that could be made available for reintroduction. Owners were initially reluctant to come forward because they risked being prosecuted for violating an act that prohibited the export of wildlife. However, slowly, "one by one, people began to come forward," says Kiessling.