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Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar? The two bird species, despite their differences, have similar evolutionary histories. Their dependence on palm swamps to nest and roost emphasizes the interconnectedness of the natural world and the importance of conserving habitats that are endangered. The hyacinth Macaw can be easily identifiable with its bright blue feathers and yellow accents. Its beak, which appears to be smiling, is capable of tearing coconuts and brazil nuts. The Hyacinth Macaw The hyacinth Macaw is the largest parrot, and a magnificent bird. It is striking blue with a pop of yellow around the eyes and lower beak, which makes them appear as if they're smiling. It has a short sturdy legs that allow it to hang upside down or sideways. It also has a beak that is hooked with a large hook that is adapted to crack open coconuts. They are smart and social, and tend to stay with the same person for the duration of their lives. Hyacinth macaws are not migratory and their distribution is linked to the availability of a specific palm species that are their primary food source. This is the main difference between macaws and other parrots that are typically migration-oriented. The hyacinth Macaw eats a lot 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 consume fruits and other plant materials. They are non-migratory and their population is closely dependent on the availability and quality of Bocaiuva and Acuri Palms, which provide them with their primary food source. This is a major distinction between macaws and the majority of parakeets, which typically tend to be migrants. The hyacinth macaw is a parrot that can be found in areas with less dense forest like palm swamps or grasslands that are flooded. The vast majority of the hyacinth macaw's population is found in the Pantanal which is the world's largest tropical wetland in Brazil. As with other birds they are monogamous. They select a partner at about 3-4 years old and stay with them their entire lives. They are very sociable animals and are often seen interacting with humans, but it is important to keep in mind that they are wild animals that should never be removed from their natural environment. Consider adopting a parrot as pet from an aviculturist that breeds these amazing creatures. It's a huge responsibility to care for these amazing creatures and the best method to ensure their future in captivity is to locate an experienced, responsible and reliable aviculturist. The Glaucous Macaw The Glaucous Macaw, or Ara Glaucus, is among the most colorful birds found in the Amazon basin. This large parrot can be found in the tropical forests of South America. It has a blue-colored top and yellow underparts. The bird is extremely scarce and classified as Critically endangered. The main cause of the decline of this bird is most likely the trapping and selling of live adults in the wild bird market, as well as the wholesale cutting down of the yatay (Butia) palms. The name of this bird comes from its strikingly bluish hue, which is described as a pale turquoise to azure in color. The underparts are yellowish, and it has a grey head. It is smaller than Lear's Macaw and is more slender than the 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. It is hoped that the glaucous macaw will soon be found in the wild and populations can be rebuilt to ensure the survival of this magnificent species. Although the glaucous macaw has been believed to be extinct in the wild There have been several known reappearances over the years. One of the most exciting occurred in February 1992 when a female specimen was spotted at Customs in Britain. It was an animal that was kept in a few of the most prestigious zoos. At the time, it seemed to be a genuine glaucous Macaw. However, this purportedly authentic glaucous macaw was eventually revealed to be a hybrid between macaws from Lear's and Hyacinth. Its color was more like the hyacinth, and it had been bred to breed hybrids. Even the glaucous Macaw was to reappear in the wild, it would be unlikely that it would breed and produce healthy offspring. The bird has been threatened for far too long. It could be tragic if this beautiful tropical giant were to disappear forever. The Origins of the Macaw Macaws often develop bonds with their human counterparts and can be quite affectionate. They are vocal birds that can sing a variety of songs and calls. They also like to mimic sounds, particularly the voice of their human companion. Macaws that live with humans can even learn to imitate words. The loud, shrieking calls that macaws make are their normal way of communicating with other members of their flock or to signal danger. They call between 5 and 10 minutes, often several times per week. When a pair of Macaws form a bond they will remain together until one macaw dies. They will kiss each other's feathers and roost together at night. They will also mate every year, laying their eggs in a nest built inside a hollow tree or a dirt hole on a cliff face. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks and the male gathers food and protects the chicks from predators. Macaws were used as companion birds by humans when they began to interact with them. They were regarded as symbol of love and power with their powerful beaks as well as bright blue feathers. Many believed that a macaw would tell them secrets about the future or answer their prayers. They were also used to scare off snakes and crocodiles by making their shrieking noise. For many years there was no information about the precise number of wild glaucous macaws that existed. There were records of a few specimens in captivity, but no one knew where they originated from or the age at which they were. One of the most famous birds was in Paris”Jardin d'Acclimatation” between 1886 and 1905. Another was in a zoo near Buenos Aires during the 1920s to 1936. Despite these early records, it was commonly assumed that the glaucous macaw had gone extinct in the wild. In 2010, however, isotopic analysis revealed that the glaucous macaw remains in the wild. The results of the study were published by Science. The researchers suggest that the glaucous Macaws in the wild are likely to originate from a Paquime population in northern Chihuahua. The birds' apparent long-lived is due to the fact that they are able to adapt to their surroundings. They are able to survive in arid desert conditions, for example. Ziggy Our Scarlet Macaw of the Macaws Parrots can adapt to their environment in an amazing way. In the wild, they can travel miles from their home to find nesting sites. They also mimic human speech. Their feet are shaped to allow them to perch and climb in trees. They can carry food through their beaks. But despite these natural abilities, parrots have not been domesticated the same way that cats and dogs have been. They are still wild creatures and must live their lives the way their ancestors did. If you are planning to bring one of these wild birds into your home, take it with care and sensitivity. Parrots are large and noisy and they can cause damage to your furniture and home. The CITES list also includes the possibility of habitat loss and over-collection of parrots for the pet industry. The Spix's Macaw is one of the most successful reintroduction efforts. 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 in captivity was in Al Wabra, Qatar. At a conference in the city of Sao Paulo, Purchase and other conservationists agreed that the only solution was to release captive macaws back into the wild. They had to do it quickly, however, as the number of breeding pairs was small. Additionally, they had to establish separate lineages at different breeding centers to ensure that one pair didn't swamp the entire population with its genes. Conservationists then began searching Brazil for Spix's Macaws that were in private ownership and could be brought back. Owners were initially reluctant to come forward because they risked being charged with breaking laws that prohibit the export of wildlife. However, gradually, “one by one, people started coming forward,” says Kiessling.