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Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar? Despite their differences the two bird species share a common evolutionary story. Their dependence on the palm swamps to nest and roost emphasizes the interconnectedness between the natural world and the importance of conserving habitats that are endangered. With its bright blue plumage and distinctive yellow accents the macaw hyacinth is recognizable. Its seemingly smiling beak packs an impressive bite that can break coconuts as well as large brazil nut pods. The Hyacinth Macaw The hyacinth macaw is a stunning bird that is also the largest parrot. It is a striking blue color with a pop of yellow around the eyes and the lower beak, which can make them appear to be smiling. It has sturdy legs that let it hang upside down or sideways and a massive hooked beak that is specially adapted to break open coconuts. They are very smart and social, and tend to be with a single partner for the rest of their lives. Hyacinth macaws are non-migratory, and their distribution is closely dependent on the availability of a specific palm species, which are their primary food source. This is the primary distinction between macaws and other parrots that are usually migratory. A large proportion of the diet of the hyacinth macaw is made up of nuts from native palm trees, notably the acuri and bocaiuva. They are able to break these seeds with ease because of their powerful beaks, and they also eat fruits and other plant material. They are non-migratory, and their population is closely dependent on the availability of the acuri and bocaiuva palms that provide the majority of their primary food source. This is a major difference between macaws, and other parakeets which are usually migratory. Contrary to most parrots, which prefer tropical rainforests with dense vegetation, the hyacinth Macaw can be found in lightly forested areas like palm swamps and grasslands that are flooded. The vast majority (90%) of the hyacinth Macaw population lives in the Pantanal region, which is the biggest tropical wetland in Brazil. Hyacinth Macaws, like other birds, are monogamous. They select a partner at around 3-4 years of age and remain with them for their entire lives. They are very sociable animals and often interact with humans, however it is important to keep in mind that they are wild animals and should not be taken away from their natural environment. If you want to be surrounded by an intelligent, beautiful and spirited animal that can imitate your words, consider adopting a pet parrot from an aviculturist who breeds these magnificent animals. It's a major responsibility to care for these wonderful creatures and the best method to ensure their continued health in captivity is to find a well-established, responsible aviculturist. The Glaucous Macaw The Glaucous Macaw (Ara glaucus) is among the most colorful birds of the Amazon basin. The large parrot is found in the tropical forests of South America. It has blue tops and yellow underparts. It is a very rare bird and is classified as Critically Endangered. The cause of the decline of this bird is likely the trapping of live adults to the wild bird trade and the wholesale felling of yatay palms (Butia yatay) that appear to have been its main food source. The name of this bird comes from its strikingly bluish hue, which can be described as light turquoise to azure in color. The underparts of the bird are yellowish and it has a gray head. It is smaller than Lear's Macaw and more slender than Hyacinth Macaw. The glaucous macaw is not only a beautiful bird, it is also an indicator of hope for those living in the Amazon Basin. The glaucous macaw is expected to be found in the wild very soon and populations will be restored. This will ensure the survival of the spectacular species. Although the glaucous macaw has been believed to be extinct in the wild, there have been several known reappearances over the years. The most promising 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 most famous Zoos. At the time, it appeared to be a real glaucous Macaw. However, this supposed authentic glaucous macaw eventually discovered to be a hybrid of the Lear's and hyacinth macaws. In addition, its azure color was actually more like the coloration of the hyacinth macaw and was developed for the purpose breeding hybrids. Even even if the glaucous macaw were to appear in the wild again, it is unlikely that it will be able to breed and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been threatened for a long time. It would be tragic if this gorgeous tropical giant was to disappear forever. The Macaw's ancestors Macaws are able to form a close relationship with their humans and are affectionate. They are extremely vocal birds, with an array of sounds and songs. They love mimicking sounds and voices, particularly those of their human counterparts. Macaws who live with humans can learn to imitate words. Buy Macaw , shrieking calls that macaws make are their natural method of communicating with other members of their flock or to warn of danger. They can be heard calling for 5-10 minutes a few times a day. If a pair of macaws choose to join forces they will stay together until one of them dies. They will groom each other's feathers during the night and share a roost with each other. They also mate each year, and lay their eggs in a nest built inside a hollow tree or a hole in the dirt on the cliff face. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks, while the male gathers food and shields chicks from predators. As humans began to interact with macaws they began to train them and used them as companion birds. They were regarded as an emblem of love and power, with their powerful beaks as well as bright blue feathers. Many believed that macaws could tell them the future or answer their prayer. They were also used to scare off snakes and crocodiles with their shrieking sounds. For a long time, no one knew the precise number of macaws with glaucous sex that existed. The data showed that a few specimens were in captivity but no one knew their origin or age. One famous bird was at Paris' Jardin d'Acclimatation from 1886 to 1905, while another lived in a zoo in Buenos Aires from the 1920s until 1936. Despite these early records, it was widely believed that the glaucous Macaw extinction was not confirmed. In 2010, an analysis of isotopics showed 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 likely came from a population located in the Paquime region of northern Chihuahua. The fact that the birds seem to live for a long time is due to the fact that they can adapt to their environment. They can live in arid desert conditions for instance. The Macaw's Future As the tale of the hyacinth Macaw and the Glaucous macaw shows, parrots have a remarkable capacity to adapt to their environment. In the wild, parrots can travel for miles to find mates or nesting spots. They also are able to mimic human speech. Their feet are designed to allow them to perch and climb in trees. They can carry food inside their beaks. Parrots aren't as domesticated as dogs and cats despite their natural capabilities. They remain wild animals and need to live like their ancestors lived. If you are planning to bring one of these wild birds into your home, it is important to do so with great care and sensitivity. Parrots are large and noisy and they can cause harm 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 rich background of the Spix's macaw that was thought to be extinct until Helmut Sick and his field assistant, Dante Teixera, spotted three birds close to Formosa do Rio Preto in 1974. At the time of the discovery the only pair of birds kept in captivity was at Al Wabra, Qatar. At a meeting held in Sao Paulo city, Purchase and other conservationists decided that the only solution to the issue was to release macaws into the wild. The number of breeding pairs is small, and they needed to act fast. Additionally, they had to establish separate lineages at the different breeding centres so that one pair didn't overrun the whole population with its genes. Conservationists began to search Brazil for Spix's Macaws which were in private ownership and could be returned to the wild. The owners were initially reluctant to come forward because they risked prosecution for breaking a law banning the export of wildlife. Kiessling claims that “one by one” people began to come forward.