why Are the glaceous macaw and hyancith macaw so alike Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar?
These two bird species, despite their differences, have similar evolutionary histories. Their shared dependence on palm swamps for nesting and roosting demonstrates the interconnectedness between nature and the need to conserve habitats that are endangered.
With its bright blue plumage and distinctive yellow accents the hyacinth macaw is unmistakable. Its beak, which appears to be smiling is capable of tearing coconuts and brazil nuts.
The Hyacinth Macaw
The Hyacinth Macaw is by far the largest parrot, and a magnificent bird. It has striking blue color with yellow accents around the eyes and in the lower portion of the beak. This can make it look 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 extremely intelligent and social, and tend to be with a single partner for their entire lives.
Hyacinth Macaws do not migrate and their range is contingent on the availability of palm species which are their primary food source. This is the main distinction between macaws and other parrots, which are more likely to be migrants.
A significant portion of the hyacinth macaw's diet is made up of nuts from native palm trees, particularly the acuri and the bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks allow them to break open these hard seeds. They also eat fruits and other plant materials.
They are non-migratory, and their population is tightly linked to the availability of the acuri and bocaiuva palms that provide the majority of their primary food source. This is a major distinction between macaws, and other parakeets which are usually migraters.
The hyacinth macaw is a parrot that can be found in areas with less dense forest, such as palm swamps or flooded grasslands. The majority of population of the hyacinth macaw is located in the Pantanal which is the world's largest tropical wetland region in Brazil.
Like other birds, hyacinth macaws are monogamous. They choose a partner at around 3-4 years of age and stay with them their entire life. They are very social animals and will often interact and communicate with humans. However it is crucial to remember that they are wild animals and should not be removed from their natural surroundings.
If you're looking to spend time with an elegant, intelligent and spirited animal that can imitate your words, consider adopting your pet parrot from an aviculturist that breeds these incredible creatures. Finding a responsible aviculturist who is well-established is the best method to ensure that these magnificent animals will be well-cared for in the wild.
The Glaucous Macaw
The Glaucous Macaw, or Ara glaucus, is one of the most colorful birds in the Amazon basin. This large parrot has blue top parts and yellow underparts and can be found in the forests of tropical South America. The bird is extremely scarce and is classified as Critically endangered. The cause of this bird's decline is most likely the trapping of live adults to the wild bird trade and the wholesale felling of palms yatay (Butia yatay) which are believed to be its primary food source.
The bird's name is derived from its strikingly bluish hue, which is described as pale turquoise to azure in color. Its underparts have a yellowish hue and its head is grey. It is smaller than the Lear's macaw, and is more slender than the hyacinth macaw.
The glaucous Macaw is not only a beautiful bird, it is also an indication of hope for the people living in the Amazon Basin. The glaucous Macaw is hoping to be discovered in the wild within the next few years and that populations can be restored. This will ensure the future of this stunning species.
Although the glaucous macaw has been believed to be extinct in the wild however, there have been several reported reappearances in the past. In February 1992 the female specimen was found at Customs in Britain. It was a bird that was kept in a few of the world's most famous zoos and at the time, it was believed to be was a genuine Glaucous Macaw.
The glaucous Macaw, which was believed to be authentic, was found to be a hybrid of the Lear's Hyacinth as well as macaws. Its azure coloring was more like the hyacinth, and it had been bred to breed hybrids.
Even if the glaucous macaw does appear in the wild once more it is highly unlikely that it will be able to breed and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been severely threatened for too long, and it would be incredibly unfortunate if this gorgeous tropical giant were to become forever lost.
The Macaw's ancestors
Macaws can form a strong bond with their humans and can be affectionate. They are vocal birds with many songs and calls. They enjoy imitating sounds and voices, particularly those of human counterparts. Macaws who live with humans can learn to imitate words. The loud, shrieking sounds that macaws make are their normal way of communicating with other members of their flock or to warn of danger. They can be heard calling for 5-10 minutes, several times a week.
When a pair of macaws decide to join forces they will remain in a bond until one of them dies. They will preen one another's feathers and rest together in the evening. They also mate each year, and lay their eggs in a nest built in a hollow of a tree or dirt hole on the cliff face. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks and the male gathers food and shields chicks from predators.
As humans began to engage with macaws they began to train them, and then use macaws as companion birds. They were considered to be symbol of love and power, with their powerful beaks as well as bright blue feathers. Many believed that a macaw would tell them the future or answer their prayer. By making their shrieking sound they were used to scare away crocodiles or snakes.
No one knew how many wild glaucous Macaws were in existence for so long. The data showed that some specimens were in captivity, but nobody knew their origin or age. One of the most famous birds lived at Paris"Jardin d'Acclimatation" from 1886 until 1905 while another inhabited an animal park in Buenos Aires from the 1920s until 1936. Despite these early reports, it was widely believed that the glaucous Macaw was extinct.
In 2010,, isotopic analysis revealed that the glaucous macaw still exists in the wild. The results of this study were published in Science. The authors suggest that glaucous Macaws in the wild could have originated from an Paquime population in northern Chihuahua. The apparent longevity of the birds is due to the fact that they are adaptable to their environment and be able to survive in different environments, including arid desert conditions.
The Future of the Macaws
As the story of the hyacinth macaw and the Glaucous macaw show, parrots are incredibly able to adapt to their surroundings. In the wild, they travel for miles away from their homes to find mates and nesting places. They also have the ability to mimic human speech. Their feet are designed in such a way they can be positioned in trees and climb them. They can even carry food through their beaks.
However, despite these natural talents Parrots haven't been domesticated in the same way as cats and dogs have been. They remain wild animals and need to live in the same way as their ancestors did. If you're planning to bring one of these wild birds into your home, you should take it with care and sensitivity. Parrots can be noisy and large, and they may 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.
One of the best examples of a successful reintroduction program is the long and fascinating story of the Spix's Macaw which was thought to be extinct until Helmut Sick and his field assistant, Dante Teixera, spotted three of them close to 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 meeting in the city of Sao Paulo, Purchase and other conservationists agreed that the best 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 had to establish different lineages at the various breeding centers, so that a single pair of breeding would not overwhelm the entire population.
So conservationists began to search Brazil for any Spix's macaws that were in private ownership that could be made available for reintroduction. Owners were initially reluctant because they were afraid of being prosecuted for violating a law which prohibited the export of wildlife. But gradually, "one by one, people came out," says Kiessling.