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Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar? Despite their differences, these two bird species share a common evolutionary story. Their dependence on palm swamps for nest and roost demonstrates the interconnectedness of the natural world and the importance of conserving endangered habitats. The hyacinth Macaw can be easily identified by its bright blue feathers and yellow accents. 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 in color with pops of yellow around the eyes and lower beak, which can make them appear as if they're smiling. It has short, sturdy legs that let it hang upside down or sideways and a huge hooked beak, which is specifically designed to crack open coconuts. They are extremely smart and social, and tend to stay with a single person for their entire lives. Hyacinth Macaws do not 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 migraters. A large proportion of the diet of hyacinth Macaws is made up of nuts from native palm trees, notably the acuri and bocaiuva. They can break these hard seeds open because of their powerful beaks. they also consume fruits and other plant material. They are not migratory, and their population is closely dependent on the availability and quality of acuri and Bocaiuva Palms which are their primary food source. This is a critical difference between macaws and most other parakeets that tend to be migratory. The hyacinth macaw is a parrot that can be found in areas with less dense forests such as palm swamps or grasslands that are flooded. The vast majority (90 percent) of the hyacinth Macaw population is found in the Pantanal region, the largest wetland that is tropical in Brazil. Like all birds, hyacinth macaws are monogamous. They pick a partner approximately 3-4 years old and stay with them for their entire life. They are very sociable animals and will often interact with humans, however it is important to remember that they are wild animals and should not be taken out of their natural habitat. Consider adopting a parrot as a pet from an aviculturist that breeds these incredible creatures. Find a responsible aviculturist that 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 among the most colorful birds in the Amazon basin. This large parrot can be found in the tropical forests of South America. It has a blue top and yellow underparts. It is a very rare bird 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 mass felling of yatay palms (Butia yatay) which are believed to be its primary food source. The name of this bird is derived from its strikingly blueish hue. It can be described as pale turquoise to the azure. The underparts of the bird are yellowish and it has a grey head. It is smaller than Lear's macaw as well as more slimmer than the hyacinth macaw. In addition to being a beautiful bird, the glaucous macaw has also become a symbol of hope for people living in the Amazon Basin. It is hoped that the glaucous macaw will soon be found in the wild and populations can be restored to ensure the survival of this spectacular species. Although the glaucous Macaw is believed to be extinct, a few alleged reappearances have occurred over the years. The most exciting of these was in February 1992, when a female specimen arrived at Customs in Britain. It was an animal that was housed in some of the world's most prestigious Zoos. At the time, it was believed to be a Glaucous Macaw. The glaucous Macaw, which was believed to be authentic, was discovered to be a hybrid of the Lear's hyacinth and macaws. In addition, its azure color was actually more similar to the coloration of the hyacinth macaw and was bred for the purpose of breeding hybrids. Even if the glaucous macaw does turn up in the wild again it is highly unlikely that it can breed and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been threatened for a long time. It could be tragic if this beautiful tropical giant were to disappear forever. The Macaw's ancestors Macaws can form a strong relationship with their humans and are affectionate. They are vocal birds that can sing a variety of songs and calls. They love mimicking sounds and voices particularly those of their human counterparts. Macaws who live with humans can learn to mimic words. The loud, shrieking sounds that macaws emit are their natural way of communicating with other members of their flock or to signal danger. They'll call for 5-10 minutes a few times a day. If a pair of macaws choose to form a bond they will stay together until one dies. They will groom each other's feathers during the night and roost with one another. They also mate each year, and lay 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 protects chicks from predators. Humans began to interact with macaws, they began to train them, and then use them as companion birds. With their powerful beaks, and bright blue feathers they were seen as symbols for love and power. Many believed that a macaw could tell them the future's secrets or answer their prayers. With their shrieking sounds, they were used to scare away crocodiles, or snakes. It was unknown how many wild glaucous Macaws were in existence for so long. The records showed that there were a few in captivity but no one was aware of their origins or the date they were born. One of the most famous birds lived at Paris”Jardin d'Acclimatation” from 1886 to 1905, while another inhabited a zoo in Buenos Aires from the 1920s until 1936. Despite these early records it was widely believed that the glaucous macaw had gone extinct in the wild. However, in 2010, analysis of isotopes in eggshells and macaw feces showed that the glaucous macaw does still exist in the wild in northwestern Mexico. chestnut fronted macaw of this study were published in Science. The authors suggest that the glaucous macaws in the wild likely originated from a population located in the Paquime region in northern Chihuahua. The apparent longevity of the birds is due to the fact that they are able to adapt to their surroundings. They can survive in desert conditions that are dry, for example. The Macaw's Future Parrots are able to adjust to their environment in a remarkable way. In the wild, they travel miles from their home to find nesting spots. They can also imitate human speech. Their feet are designed to allow them to climb and perch in trees. They can even carry food through their beaks. Parrots aren't domesticated like dogs and cats despite their natural talents. They remain wild animals that need to continue to live the way their ancestors did. Because of their wild nature, if you want to incorporate a parrot into your home, ensure that you are doing it with careful thought and care. Parrots are large and noisy and can cause damage to your furniture and home. They are also listed on CITES because of the excessive collection for the pet trade and habitat loss. One of the most impressive examples of a successful reintroduction program is the long and fascinating history of the Spix's macaw which 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 of the discovery the only pair of birds in captivity 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 into the wild. The number of breeding pairs is low, so they had to act fast. They also had to establish different lineages in the various breeding centres, so that one pair would not overwhelm the entire population. Conservationists then began searching Brazil for Spix's Macaws which were in private ownership and could be returned to the wild. Owners were initially reluctant to submit their information due to the risk of being prosecuted for violating laws that prohibit the export of wildlife. But gradually, “one by one, people came out,” says Kiessling.