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Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar? These two species of bird, despite their distinct characteristics, have a similar evolutionary history. Their dependence on the palm swamps to nest and roost highlights the interconnectedness of the natural world and the importance of protecting endangered habitats. With its bright blue plumage and distinctive yellow accents the hyacinth macaw is unmistakable. Its seemingly smiling beak packs an impressive bite that can crack coconuts as well as large brazil nut pods. The Hyacinth Macaw The hyacinth Macaw is 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 could make it appear as if it is smiling. It has sturdy legs that permit it to hang upside down or sideways and a massive hook beak that is specially adapted to crack open coconuts. They are extremely intelligent and social, with a tendency to be with a single partner for their entire life. Hyacinth Macaws don't migrate and their range is contingent on the availability of palm species that are their primary food source. This is a key difference between macaws and other parrots, which are more likely to be migration-oriented. The hyacinth Macaw eats a large amount of nuts from native palm trees. Especially the acuri, and the bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks enable them to crack open these hard seeds. They also consume fruits and other plant materials. They are non-migratory, and their population is closely 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 generally migratory. Unlike most parrots, which prefer dense tropical rainforest habitats, the hyacinth macaw can be found in less forested areas like palm swamps and flooded grasslands. The majority of hyacinth macaw's population is found in the Pantanal which is the world's largest tropical wetland in Brazil. Hyacinth Macaws, like other birds, are monogamous. They select a partner at around 3-4 years of age and stay with them for their entire lives. They are very social animals and will often interact with humans, however it is important to remember that they are wild animals and should never be removed from their natural environment. If you'd like to enjoy the company of an intelligent, beautiful and spirited animal that can mimic your words, you should consider adopting your pet parrot from an aviculturist who breeds these magnificent creatures. Finding a responsible aviculturist who is well-established is the best way to ensure that these incredible animals will be well-cared for in captivity. The Glaucous Macaw The Glaucous Macaw, or Ara glaucus, is one of the most colorful birds found in the Amazon basin. This large parrot can be found in the tropical forests of South America. It has blue tops and yellow underparts. It is a rare bird and is classified as Critically Endangered. The reason for this bird's decline is most likely the capture of live adults for 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 bluish hue, which is described as a 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 just a beautiful bird, but also an indication of hope for the people living in the Amazon Basin. It is hope that the glaucous macaw will soon be discovered in the wild and that populations can be restored to ensure the survival of this magnificent species. Although the glaucous Macaw was thought to be extinct, a number claims of reappearances have occurred over the years. One of the most exciting came in February 1992 when a female specimen arrived at Customs in Britain. The bird was housed in several of the world's leading zoos and, at the time, it was believed to be was an authentic Glaucous Macaw. However, this supposedly authentic glaucous macaw was later found to be a hybrid of Macaws of Lear and Hyacinth. Furthermore, its azure coloration was actually more similar to that of the macaws of Hyacinth and it had been developed for the purpose breeding hybrids. Even if a glaucous Macaw were to reappear in the wild, it is unlikely that it would breed and produce healthy offspring. The bird has been threatened for too long, and it would be tragic if this stunning tropical giant were to become permanently lost forever. The Macaw's Origins Macaws can form a strong connection with their human companions and can be affectionate. They are vocal birds with many songs and calls. They love mimicking sounds and voices particularly those of their human counterparts. Macaws who reside with humans are able to imitate words. The loud, shrieking calls that macaws emit are their natural method of communicating with other members of their family or to warn of danger. They will call for between 5 and 10 minutes many times a day. When a pair of macaws create a bond, they will stay together until one macaw dies. They will preen one another's feathers and rest together in the evening. They will also mate once a year, laying eggs in a nest made in a tree hollow or dirt hole on the cliff. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks while the male collects food and protects the chicks from predators. As humans began to engage with macaws, they started to train them, and then use macaws as companion birds. They were considered to be symbol of love and power with their powerful beaks and vibrant blue feathers. Some people believed the macaw could predict the future or answer their prayers. They were also used to scare off crocodiles and snakes by making their shrieking sounds. For a long time nobody knew the precise number of wild glaucous macaws that had ever existed. The records revealed that there were a few kept in captivity, but no one knew their origin or age. One famous bird was at Paris the Jardin d'Acclimatation from 1886 until 1905 while another was 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 2010, however an analysis of isotopes showed that the glaucous Macaw remains in the wild. The results of this study were published in Science. The researchers suggest that the glaucous Macaws in the wild could originate from the Paquime population in northern Chihuahua. The apparent longevity of the birds is a result of the fact that they are very adaptable to their environment and survive in various environments, including arid desert conditions. The Future of the Macaws Parrots are able to adapt to their surroundings in a fascinating way. In the wild, they can travel for miles away from their homes to find nesting spots. They also mimic human speech. Their feet are designed to allow them to perch and climb in trees. They can even carry food with their beaks. However, despite these abilities parrots aren't domesticated the same way that cats and dogs have. They remain wild animals and must live their lives the way their ancestors did. Because of their wild nature, if you are planning to bring a parrot into your home, make sure you do it with great thought and care. Parrots are big and loud and can cause damage to your home and furniture. hyacinth macaw parrots for sale buymacaw includes them due to habitat loss and the over-collection of parrots for the pet industry. The Spix's Macaw is one of the most successful reintroduction projects. It was thought to be extinct until Helmut Sick, his field assistant Dante Teixera and their team spotted three of them in 1974 near Formosa do Rio Preto. At the time of the discovery the only pair of birds that were in captivity was in Al Wabra, Qatar. In a meeting in Sao Paulo city, Purchase and other conservationists decided that the only solution to the issue was to release macaws from captivity into the wild. They needed to do this quickly, however, as the number of breeding pairs was very small. They also needed 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 that were in private ownership and could be returned to the wild. Owners were initially reluctant to reveal their identities because they could face prosecution for breaking an act that prohibited the export of wildlife. However, gradually, “one by one, people began to come forward,” says Kiessling.