These two bird species, despite their distinct characteristics, have similar evolutionary histories. Their reliance on palm swamps to nest and roost underscores the interconnectedness between nature and the need to protect habitats that are threatened.
With its vibrant blue plumage and distinctive yellow accents the macaw hyacinth is recognizable. Its beak, which appears to be smiling can tear coconuts and brazil nuts.
The Hyacinth Macaw
The Hyacinth Macaw is by far the largest parrot and a magnificent bird. It is 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 long, sturdy legs that let it hang sideways or upside down. It also has a hook on its beak with a 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 life.
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 main difference between macaws, and other parrots that are typically migratory.
The hyacinth Macaw consumes a number of nuts that are native to palm trees. Especially the acuri, and the bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks enable them to crack open these seeds. They also eat fruits and other plant materials.
They are not migratory birds, and their population is closely dependent on the availability of the acuri and bocaiuva palms, which provide the majority of their food source. This is a significant distinction between macaws and other parakeets which tend to be migrants.
Unlike most parrots, which prefer tropical rainforests with dense vegetation, the hyacinth Macaw can be found in less forested areas such as palm swamps and flooded grasslands. The vast majority of the population of the hyacinth macaw is located in the Pantanal which is the world's largest tropical wetland area in Brazil.
Like all birds they are monogamous. They choose a partner at approximately 3-4 years old and remain with them for their entire life. They are very social animals and often interact with humans, however it is important to keep in mind that they are wild animals and should not be taken out of their natural habitat.
If you're looking to enjoy the company of an elegant, intelligent and spirited animal that can mimic your words, consider adopting the pet parrot of an aviculturist who breeds these magnificent creatures. It's a huge responsibility to take care of these amazing creatures and the best way to support their future in captivity is by finding an experienced, responsible and reliable Aviculturist who is responsible and trustworthy.
The Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw (Ara glaucus) is among the most vibrant birds 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 is classified as Critically endangered. The main reason for the decline of this bird is probably the trapping and selling of live adults in the market for wild birds, and the mass cutting down of yatay (Butia) palms.
The bird's name is derived from its strikingly bluish hue, which can be described as a pale turquoise to azure in color. The underparts of the bird have a yellowish hue, and its head is grey. It is smaller than the Lear's macaw and more slender than the hyacinth macaw.
The glaucous Macaw isn't only a beautiful bird but also an indication of hope for the people who live in the Amazon Basin. The glaucous Macaw is hoped to be found in the wild within the next few years and populations will be restored. This will ensure the future of the spectacular species.
Although the glaucous macaw has been believed to be extinct in the wild, there are a few known reappearances over the years. The most promising of these occurred in February 1992 when a female specimen arrived at Customs in Britain. It was a bird which was kept in some of the world's leading zoos and at the time it was believed to be was a genuine Glaucous Macaw.
This supposedly authentic glaucous Macaw was revealed to be a hybrid of the Lear's Hyacinth and macaws. Additionally, its azure coloring was actually more like that of the macaws of Hyacinth and was developed for the purpose breeding hybrids.
Even even if the glaucous macaw were to come back to the wild once more however, it is not likely that it can breed and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been critically threatened for too long, and it would be incredibly regrettable if this beautiful tropical giant were to become permanently gone forever.
The Macaw's ancestors
Macaws generally form a strong bond with their human companions and can be very affectionate. They are vocal birds with a variety of songs and calls. They also like to mimic sounds, particularly the voice of their human counterparts. Macaws who live with humans can learn to imitate words. Macaws use loud, shrieking sounds in order to communicate with each other or to warn of danger. They can be heard calling for 5-10 minutes several times throughout the day.
If two macaws decide to form a bond they will stay together until one of them dies. They will adorn each other's feathers and roost together at night. They also mate at least each year, and lay 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 and the male gathers food and protects the chicks from predators.
Macaws were considered companion birds by humans once they began to interact with them. With their powerful beaks, and bright blue feathers they were considered to be symbols of love and power. Some people believed the macaw could predict the future or even answer their prayers. Through their shrieking sounds, they were used to scare away crocodiles and snakes.
No one knew how many wild glaucous macaws were in existence for so long. There were records of a few specimens kept in captivity, but no one knew where they originated from or what age they were. One of the most famous birds lived at Paris' Jardin d'Acclimatation from 1886 to 1905, while another was a zoo 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.
In 2010, however an analysis of isotopes showed that the glaucous Macaw remains in the wild. The findings of the study were published by Science. The authors suggest that the glaucous Macaws in the wild are likely to originate from the Paquime population in northern Chihuahua. The apparent longevity of the birds is a result of the fact that they are adaptable to their environment and are able to be able to survive in different environments, including desert conditions.
The Future of the Macaws
Parrots are able to adjust to their environment in an amazing way. In the wild, they travel for miles away from their homes to find nesting sites. They can also mimic human speech. Their feet are shaped to allow them to climb and perch in trees. They can even carry food with their beaks.
However, despite these natural talents Parrots haven't been domesticated in the same way as cats and dogs have been. They are still wild animals and have to continue to live the way their ancestors did. Due to their wild nature, if you want to bring a parrot into your home, ensure you are doing it with great thought and care. 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.
One of the most impressive examples of a successful reintroduction project is the long and fascinating background of the Spix's macaw which was thought 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 of the discovery, the only pair of birds in captive was in Al Wabra, Qatar.
At a conference in the city of Sao Paulo, Purchase and other conservationists decided that the only solution was to release captive macaws into the wild. The number of breeding pairs is low, so they had to act fast. In addition, they had to establish separate lineages at the different breeding centers to ensure that one pair didn't overrun the whole population with its genes.
So the conservationists began to scour Brazil for any Spix's macaws currently in private ownership which could be rehabilitated to be reintroduced. Owners initially resisted the idea of come forward because they risked prosecution for breaking a law banning the export of wildlife. However, slowly, "one by one, people came out," says Kiessling.
