Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar?
The two bird species despite their differences have a similar evolutionary history. Their reliance on palm swamps for nesting and roosting demonstrates the interconnectedness of nature as well as the need to protect endangered habitats.
The hyacinth Macaw can be easily identifiable by its bright blue feathers and yellow accents. Its beak, which appears to be smiling is capable of tearing coconuts and brazil nuts.
The Hyacinth Macaw
The hyacinth Macaw is the largest parrot, and a magnificent bird. It has striking blue hue with yellow accents around the eyes and lower part of the beak. This makes it appear like it is smiling. It has sturdy legs that allow it to hang upside down or sideways and a massive hook beak that is specially adapted for cracking open coconuts. They are very smart and social, with a tendency to be with a single partner for their entire life.
Hyacinth macaws are non-migratory, and their distribution is dependent on the availability of a specific palm species that provide their primary food source. This is the major difference between macaws, and other parrots which are generally migraters.
The hyacinth Macaw is a prey species that eats lot of nuts from native palm trees. Especially the acuri, and the bocaiuva. They are able to break these seeds with ease because of their strong beaks, and they also eat fruits and other plant material.
They are not migratory, and their population is closely dependent on the availability and quality of Bocaiuva and Acuri Palms which are their primary source of food. This is a major distinction between macaws, and other parakeets that tend to be migrants.
The hyacinth Macaw can be described as an animal that can be found in areas with less dense forest like palm swamps or flooded grasslands. The majority (90 percent) of the hyacinth Macaw population is found in the Pantanal region, which is the largest wetland that is tropical in Brazil.
Hyacinth Macaws, as with other birds, are monogamous. They pick a partner about 3-4 years old and remain with them for their entire lives. They are very social and are often able to interact and communicate with humans. However, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and should not be removed from their natural surroundings.
Consider adopting a parrot as an animal from an aviculturist who breeds these magnificent creatures. Selecting an aviculturist responsible and who is well-established is the best way to ensure that these magnificent animals will be well-cared for in captivity.
The Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw, or Ara Glaucus, is among the most colorful birds found in the Amazon basin. The large parrot is found in the tropical forests of South America. It has a blue top and yellow underparts. The bird is extremely scarce and is classified as Critically endangered. The main reason for the decline of this bird is probably the trapping and sale of live adults on the market for wild birds, as well as the wholesale cutting down of yatay (Butia) palms.
The name of this bird is derived from its striking blueish color. macaw keycaps can be described in terms of pale turquoise to the azure. Its underparts are yellowish in hue, and its head is grey. It is smaller than Lear's macaw and more slender than the hyacinth macaw.
In addition to being a very beautiful bird, the glaucous Macaw has also become a symbol of hope for people living in the Amazon Basin. The glaucous Macaw is hoped to be discovered in the wild very soon and that populations can be restored. This will ensure the survival of the spectacular species.
Although the glaucous macaw is believed to be extinct in the wild, there have been a number of reported reappearances in the past. In February 1992 the female specimen was discovered at Customs in Britain. The bird was housed in a few of the world's most famous zoos and at the time, it was believed to be was an authentic macaw with glaucous.
The glaucous Macaw, which was believed to be authentic, was revealed to be a hybrid between the Lear's hyacinth and macaws. In Fiona hyacinth macaw bird for sale , its azure color was actually more like the coloration of the hyacinth macaw and it had been bred for the purpose of breeding hybrids.
Even even if the glaucous macaw were to come back to the wild once more however, it is not likely that it will be able to reproduce and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been threatened for far too long. It could be tragic if this beautiful tropical giant disappeared forever.
The Macaw's ancestors
Macaws can develop a close relationship with their humans and are affectionate. They are vocal birds with a variety of songs and calls. They enjoy mimicking sounds and voices particularly those of their human companions. Macaws that live with humans can even learn to mimic words. Macaws use loud, shrieking sounds to communicate with one another or to warn of danger. They'll call for 5-10 minutes several times a day.
If a pair of Macaws create a bond, they will stay together until one of the macaws dies. They will groom each other's feathers at night and share a roost with one another. They also mate every year, laying their eggs in a nest made in a tree hollow or a hole in the dirt on the cliff. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks, while the male gathers food and protects chicks from predators.
Humans began to interact with macaws they began to train them and use them as companion birds. With their powerful beaks and bright blue feathers they were seen as symbol of love and power. Many 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 or snakes.
No one knew how many wild glaucous macaws existed for a long time. The records showed that there were a few in captivity, but nobody was aware of their origins or the date they were born. One of the most famous birds lived in Paris the Jardin d'Acclimatation from 1886 between 1886 and 1905. Another bird was in a zoo near Buenos Aires during the 1920s to 1936. Despite these early records the general assumption was that the glaucous macaw was 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 findings of the study were published by Science. The authors suggest that glaucous Macaws found in the wild could originate from the Paquime population in northern Chihuahua. The birds' apparent long-lived is due to the fact that they are able to adapt to their environment. They are able to survive in arid desert conditions for instance.
The Future of the Macaws
Parrots are able to adapt to their environment in a remarkable way. In the wild, parrots are able to traverse miles to find mates or nesting sites. They can also mimic human speech. Their feet are designed to allow them to climb in trees. They can even carry food in their beaks.
Parrots are not domesticated like cats and dogs despite their natural talents. They are wild creatures and need to live like their ancestors lived. Because of their wild nature, if you are planning to introduce a parrot to your home, ensure you do 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 them due to habitat loss and over-collection of parrots for the pet industry.
One of the most impressive examples of a successful reintroduction program is the rich history of the Spix's macaw, which was believed to be extinct until Helmut Sick and his field assistant, Dante Teixera, spotted three birds near Formosa do Rio Preto in 1974. At the time, the only known pair of birds was kept in the captive at Al Wabra in Qatar.
In a meeting in Sao Paulo city, Purchase and other conservationists agreed that the only way to resolve the issue was to release macaws from captivity into the wild. They needed to do it quickly, though, because the number of breeding pairs was low. Additionally, they had to establish separate lineages at the various breeding centers so that one pair did not overwhelm the whole population with its genes.
So macaw purchase began to scour Brazil for any Spix's macaws currently in private hands that could be made available for reintroduction. Owners were initially reluctant to reveal their identities because they could face being charged with breaking laws that prohibit the export of wildlife. Kiessling claims that "one by one" people began to come forward.