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Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar? These two species of bird, despite their differences, have similar evolutionary histories. Their reliance on palm swamps to nest and roost underscores the interconnectedness of nature and the need to protect habitats that are threatened. The hyacinth Macaw can be easily identifiable by its bright blue feathers and yellow accents. Its beak, which appears be smiling is capable of tearing coconuts and brazil nuts. The Hyacinth Macaw The Hyacinth Macaw is by far the largest parrot, and a magnificent bird. It has striking blue color with yellow accents around the eyes and in the lower portion 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 huge hooked beak, which is specifically designed to crack open coconuts. They are smart and social, and tend to stay with the same person throughout their lives. Hyacinth macaws are non-migratory, and their distribution is dependent on 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 usually migraters. A significant portion of the diet of hyacinth Macaws is made up of nuts from native palm trees, notably the acuri and the bocaiuva. They are able to break the seeds into pieces thanks to their powerful beaks. they also consume fruits and other plant material. They are not migratory, and their population is dependent on the availability and quality of Bocaiuva and Acuri Palms which are their primary source of food. This is a major distinction between macaws, and other parakeets which tend to be migrants. In contrast to the majority of parrots that prefer rainforests with dense tropical forests, the hyacinth Macaw can be found in lightly forested areas such as palm swamps and grasslands that have been flooded. The vast majority (90 percent) of the hyacinth Macaw population is found in the Pantanal region, the largest tropical wetland in Brazil. Hyacinth Macaws are like other birds, are monogamous. They choose a partner when they are about 3-4 years old and stick with them throughout their entire life. They are extremely social animals and often interact and communicate with humans. However it is essential to remember that they are wild animals and should not be removed away from their natural habitat. You can consider adopting a parrot as pet from an aviculturist that breeds these incredible creatures. It is a big responsibility to care for these amazing creatures and the best method to ensure their continued health in captivity is by finding an experienced, responsible 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. It is a rare bird and is classified as Critically Endangered. The reason for the decline of this bird is most likely the capture of live adults for the trade in wild birds, and the massive thinning of palms called yatay (Butia yatay) which appear to have been its main food source. The bird's name is derived from its strikingly bluish hue, which could be described as light 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. In addition to being a beautiful bird, the glaucous Macaw has also become an icon of hope for those living in the Amazon Basin. It is hoped that the glaucous macaw will soon be discovered in the wild and that populations can be restored to ensure the continued existence of this spectacular species. Although the glaucous macaw has been believed to be extinct in the wild, there are a few known reappearances over the years. In February 1992 the female specimen was discovered at Customs in Britain. It was a bird which was kept in a few of the world's leading zoos and, at the time, it was believed that this was a genuine macaw with glaucous. This supposedly authentic glaucous Macaw was discovered to be a hybrid between the Lear's Hyacinth as well as macaws. Its azure coloring was more reminiscent of the hyacinth and it was bred to produce hybrids. Even even if the glaucous macaw were to come back to the wild however, it is not likely that it will be able to reproduce and produce healthy offspring. This bird has been threatened for a long time. It would be a tragedy if this beautiful tropical giant was to disappear for ever. The Origins of the Macaws Macaws typically form an intense bond with their human companions, and can be very affectionate. They are extremely vocal birds, with an array of sounds and songs. They love mimicking sounds and voices, particularly those of human counterparts. Macaws who reside with humans are able to mimic the sounds of words. The loud, shrieking sounds that macaws make are their natural method of communicating with other members of their family or to warn of danger. They can be heard calling for 5-10 minutes frequently throughout the week. If a pair of Macaws form a bond, they remain together until one of the macaws dies. They will adorn feathers of each other and roost together in the evening. They also mate at least once a year, laying their eggs in a nest constructed in a hollow of a tree or dirt hole on the cliff. The mother incubates the eggs for 12 weeks, while the male gathers food and protects chicks from predators. Humans began to interact with macaws, they started to train them, and then use them as companion birds. With their powerful beaks and their bright blue feathers, they were considered to be symbols for love and power. Many believed that a macaw could reveal to them the future's secrets or answer their prayers. With their shrieking sounds they were believed to scare away crocodiles, or snakes. It was unknown how many wild glaucous macaws were in existence for so long. The records showed that some specimens were in captivity, but nobody knew their location or age. macaw cage of the most famous birds was in Paris' Jardin d'Acclimatation between 1886 until 1905. Another lived in a zoo near Buenos Aires during the 1920s until 1936. Despite these early records it was widely believed that the glaucous Macaw extinction was not confirmed. However, in 2010, isotopic analysis of eggshells and macaw feces revealed that the glaucous macaw does still exist in the wild in northwestern Mexico. The results of this study were published in Science. The researchers suggest that the glaucous Macaws that are found in the wild could originate from the Paquime population in northern Chihuahua. The birds' apparent long-lived is due to the fact that they can adapt to their surroundings. They can live in arid desert conditions for instance. The Future of the Macaw Parrots are able to adjust to their environment in a remarkable way. In the wild, parrots can travel miles to find mates or nesting sites. They also mimic human speech. Their feet are shaped to allow them to climb and perch in trees. They can carry food through their beaks. Parrots are not domesticated like cats and dogs, despite their natural abilities. They are still wild creatures and need to live like their ancestors lived. Due to their wild nature, if you are planning to incorporate a parrot into your home, ensure you do it with a lot of thought and consideration. Parrots can be loud and large, and they may cause damage to your furniture and your home. The CITES list also includes the possibility of habitat loss and over-collection of parrots for the pet industry. One of the most impressive examples of a successful reintroduction effort 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 three of them close to Formosa do Rio Preto in 1974. At the time of the discovery, the only pair of birds that were in captivity was at Al Wabra, Qatar. At a conference held in Sao Paulo city, Purchase and other conservationists agreed that the only way to resolve the issue was to release macaws from captivity into the wild. They needed to do it quickly, however, as the number of breeding pairs was very small. In great green macaw , they had to create separate lines at the various breeding centers so that one pair did not overrun the entire population with its genes. The conservationists began searching Brazil for any Spix's macaws currently in private hands that could be made available for reintroduction. Owners initially were hesitant because they feared prosecution for breaking a law that prohibited the export of wildlife. However, slowly, “one by one, people began to come forward,” says Kiessling.