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Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar? These two bird species, despite their distinct characteristics, have similar evolutionary histories. Their dependence on palm swamps for nest and roost highlights the interconnectedness between the natural world and the importance of protecting endangered habitats. The hyacinth Macaw can be easily identifiable by its bright blue feathers and yellow accents. Its apparent smiley beak packs an incredibly powerful bite that can crack coconuts and large brazil nut pods. The Hyacinth Macaw The macaw hyacinth is a magnificent bird that is also the largest parrot. It is a striking blue color with pops of yellow around the eyes and lower beak, making them appear to be smiling. It has long sturdy legs that let it hang upside down or sideways. It also has a hooked beak with a hook that is adapted to break open coconuts. They are extremely smart and social, with a tendency to be with a single partner for their entire life. Hyacinth Macaws don't migrate, and their distribution depends on the availability of palm species, which are their primary food source. This is the major difference between macaws and other parrots which are generally migratory. A large proportion of the diet of hyacinth Macaws is comprised of the nuts of native palm trees, specifically the acuri and the bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks allow them to crack open these hard seeds. They also eat fruit and other plant materials. They are not migratory and their population is closely dependent on the availability of the acuri and bocaiuva palms that provide the majority of their food source. This is a major difference between macaws, and other parakeets that tend to be migraters. Contrary to most parrots, which prefer dense tropical rainforest habitats, the hyacinth macaw can be found in lightly forested areas like palm swamps and flooded grasslands. The majority (90 percent) of the hyacinth macaw population is found in the Pantanal region, which is the biggest wetland that is tropical in Brazil. Hyacinth Macaws, like other birds, are monogamous. They pick a partner about 3-4 years old and stay with them their entire lives. They are very social and will often interact and communicate with humans. However it is essential to remember that they are wild creatures and should not be taken away from their natural habitat. Consider adopting a parrot as pet from an aviculturist that breeds these magnificent creatures. It is a big responsibility to take care of these wonderful creatures, and the best way to ensure their future in captivity is by finding an experienced, responsible Aviculturist who is responsible and trustworthy. The Glaucous Macaw The Glaucous Macaw, or Ara glaucus, is one of the most colorful birds in the Amazon basin. The large parrot is blue on the top parts and yellow underparts and is found in the forests of tropical South America. It is a rare bird and is classified as Critically Endangered. The reason for the decline of this bird is likely the trapping of live adults to the trade in wild birds and the mass felling of palms yatay (Butia yatay) which are believed to be its primary food source. The name of this bird comes from its strikingly blueish hue, which could be described as pale turquoise to azure. The underparts of the bird are yellowish and it has a grey head. It is smaller than the Lear's macaw and more slender than the hyacinth macaw. The glaucous Macaw isn't only a beautiful bird, it is also a symbol of hope to the people who live in the Amazon Basin. It is hoped that the glaucous macaw will soon be discovered in the wild, and populations can be restored to ensure the survival of this amazing species. Although the glaucous macaw is believed to be extinct in the wild, there have been several known reappearances over the years. One of the most exciting came in February 1992 when a female specimen was spotted at Customs in Britain. It was an animal that was housed in some of the world's most prestigious zoos. At the time it appeared to be a real glaucous Macaw. The Macaw that was claimed to be authentic was revealed to be a hybrid of the Lear's Hyacinth as well as macaws. Additionally, its azure coloring was more like the coloration of the hyacinth macaw and was created for the purpose of breeding hybrids. Even the glaucous Macaw was to reappear in the wild, it would be unlikely that the bird could breed and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been critically threatened for far too long. It could be a tragedy if this beautiful tropical giant was to disappear for ever. The Macaw's Origins Macaws can develop a close bond with their humans and can be affectionate. They are vocal birds that can sing a variety of songs and calls. They enjoy mimicking sounds and voices particularly those of human companions. Macaws who live with humans can even learn to mimic words. Macaws make 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 choose to create a bond they will remain in a bond until one dies. They will groom each other's feathers at night and roost with each other. Every year, they also mate by laying eggs in a nest constructed in an opening in the tree or a dirt hole in the rock face. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks while the male collects food and protects chicks from predators. As humans began to interact with macaws, they began to train them and used macaws as companion birds. With their powerful beaks and bright blue feathers, they were considered to be symbols for love and power. Many believed that a macaw could tell them the future's secrets or answer their prayers. By making their shrieking sound, they were used to scare away crocodiles, or snakes. There was no way to know how many glaucous Macaws in the wild existed for many years. There were records of a few specimens that were in captivity, but nobody knew where they originated from or the age at which they were. One of the most famous birds was in Paris the Jardin d'Acclimatation from 1886 until 1905. Another bird was in a zoo near Buenos Aires during the 1920s to 1936. Despite these early reports, it was widely believed that the glaucous Macaw was extinct. In 2010, however, isotopic analysis revealed that the glaucous macaw remains in the wild. The findings of the study were published by Science. The authors suggest that glaucous macaws in the wild probably originated from a group in the Paquime region in northern Chihuahua. The birds' apparent longevity is due to the fact that they are adaptable to their environment and are able to endure in a variety of conditions, including desert conditions. The Future of the Macaw Parrots are able to adjust to their environment in an amazing way. In the wild, parrots travel miles to find nesting sites or mates. chestnut fronted macaw Buy Macaw have the ability to mimic human speech. Their feet are designed in such a way that they can sit in trees and climb them. They can even carry food with their beaks. Parrots aren't as domesticated as dogs and cats despite their natural capabilities. They remain wild animals and they have to continue to live the way their ancestors lived. If you're planning to bring one of these birds into your home, take attention and care. Parrots can be loud and large, and may cause damage to furniture and your home. They are also listed on CITES because of the excessive collection for pet trade and habitat loss. One of the most impressive examples of a successful reintroduction project is the rich story of the Spix's Macaw that was thought to be extinct until Helmut Sick and his field assistant, Dante Teixera, spotted a party of three of them close to Formosa do Rio Preto in 1974. At the time, the only known pair of birds was in captivity at Al Wabra in Qatar. At a conference held in Sao Paulo city, Purchase and other conservationists decided that the only way to solve the problem was to release macaws into the wild. They had to do it quickly, though, because the number of breeding pairs was very low. In addition, they had to establish separate lineages at the various breeding centers so that one pair did not overrun the entire population with its genes. Conservationists then began searching Brazil for Spix's Macaws which were in private ownership and could be brought back. Owners were initially reluctant to come forward because they risked being prosecuted for violating a law banning the export of wildlife. But gradually, “one by one, people came out,” says Kiessling.