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Why Are the Hyacinth Macaw and Glaucous Macaw So Similar? These two species of bird, despite their differences, have a similar evolutionary history. Their dependence on the palm swamps to nest and roost demonstrates the interconnectedness between the natural world and the importance of conserving habitats that are endangered. With its vibrant blue plumage and distinctive yellow accents the hyacinth macaw is unmistakable. 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 is a stunning bird. It is striking blue in color with pops of yellow around the eyes and the lower beak, which can make them look like they are smiling. It has short, sturdy legs that allow it to hang upside down or sideways, and a massive hook beak that is specially adapted for cracking open coconuts. They are social and intelligent, and tend to stay with the same partner throughout their lives. Hyacinth Macaws do not migrate and their distribution is based on the availability of palm species that are their primary food source. This is the primary distinction between macaws and other parrots that are typically migratory. A large proportion of the diet of hyacinth Macaws is made up of nuts from native palm trees, notably the acuri and Bocaiuva. Their powerful beaks permit them to crack open these seeds. They also eat fruit and other plant materials. They are not migratory birds, and their population is closely dependent on the availability of the acuri and bocaiuva palms, which provide the majority of their food source. This is an important distinction between macaws and the majority of parakeets, which typically tend to be migration-oriented. The hyacinth macaw is an animal that can be found in areas with less dense forest such as palm swamps or grasslands that are flooded. The majority (90%) of the hyacinth macaw population is found in the Pantanal region, which is the biggest tropical wetland in Brazil. Hyacinth Macaws, like other birds, are monogamous. They pick one partner when they are around 3-4 years old, and stay with them throughout their life. They are very social animals and often interact with humans, however it is crucial to remember that they are wild animals and should not be taken away from their natural habitat. Consider adopting a parrot as a pet from an aviculturist who breeds these incredible creatures. Finding a responsible aviculturist who is established is the best way to ensure that these incredible animals will be well-cared for in the wild. 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 a blue top and yellow underparts. It is a scarce bird and is classified as Critically Endangered. The cause of the decline of this bird is likely the capture of live adults for the trade in wild birds and the massive thinning of palms called yatay (Butia yatay) that appear to be the primary food source. The name of this bird comes from its strikingly blue hue, which can be described as pale turquoise to azure in color. Its underparts have a yellowish hue, while its head is grey. It is smaller than the Lear's macaw and more slender 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 hope that the glaucous macaw will soon be found in the wild and populations can be restored to ensure the survival of this amazing species. Although the glaucous Macaw is thought to be extinct, a few reports of its reemergence have been reported over the years. The most exciting of these occurred in February 1992 when a female specimen arrived at Customs in Britain. It was a bird that had been housed at several of the world's most famous zoos and at the time it was believed that this was a genuine macaw with glaucous. However, Tallula indigo park mollie macaw 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 similar to the coloration of the hyacinth macaw and it had been created for the purpose of breeding hybrids. Even even if a glaucous macaw were to reappear in the wild, it is unlikely that the bird would breed and produce healthy offspring. The bird has been threatened for far too long. It would be tragic if this beautiful tropical giant disappeared for ever. The Macaw's Origins Macaws generally form bonds with their human companions and can be quite affectionate. They are very vocal birds, and can be heard with an array of sounds and songs. They also enjoy mimicking sounds, especially the voice of their human companion. Macaws who reside with humans are able to mimic words. Macaws make loud, shrieking sounds to communicate with one another or to warn of danger. They can be heard calling for 5-10 minutes, several times a week. If two macaws decide to form a bond, they will remain together until one of them dies. They will kiss one another's feathers and rest together at night. They also mate each year, and lay their eggs in a nest built inside a hollow tree or a dirt hole on the cliff. The female incubates the egg for 12 weeks while the male collects food and shields chicks from predators. Macaws were used as companion birds by humans when they began to interact with them. They were seen as symbols of love and power with their powerful beaks and bright blue feathers. People believed that macaws could tell them the future or even answer their prayers. They were also used to scare away snakes and crocodiles by making their shrieking sounds. It was unknown how many wild glaucous macaws existed for a long time. There were reports of a few specimens kept in captivity, but no one knew where they were from or how old they were. One famous bird lived at Paris' Jardin d'Acclimatation from 1886 until 1905 while another inhabited the zoo of Buenos Aires from the 1920s until 1936. Despite these early reports, it was widely believed that the glaucous Macaw extinction was not confirmed. In 2010, isotopic analysis of eggshells and macaw feces revealed that the glaucous macaw still exist in the wild in northwestern Mexico. The results of this study were published in Science. The authors suggest that macaws with glaucous probably originated from a group located in the Paquime region in northern Chihuahua. The fact that the birds seem to live for a long time is due to the fact that they are able to adapt to their environment. They can live in arid desert conditions, for example. The Future of the Macaws As the stories of the hyacinth macaw and the Glaucous macaw shows, parrots are incredibly able to adapt to their surroundings. In the wild, they move miles away from their home to find new mates and nesting places. They also have the ability to mimic human speech. Their feet are designed in such a way they can be positioned in trees and climb them. They can even carry food with their beaks. However, despite these natural talents Parrots haven't been domesticated the same way that dogs and cats have. They are still wild animals and need to live in the ways that their ancestors lived. Due to their wild nature, if you decide to bring a parrot into your home, ensure you are doing it with careful thought and consideration. Parrots are big and loud and can cause damage to your furniture and home. The CITES list also includes the possibility of habitat loss and the over-collection of parrots for the pet industry. One of the most impressive examples of a successful reintroduction program is the storied background of the Spix's macaw, which was believed 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 the only known pair of birds was being held in captivity at Al Wabra in Qatar. In a meeting in Sao Paulo city, Purchase and other conservationists agreed that the only solution to the issue was to release macaws into the wild. The number of breeding pairs is very low, which means they had to act swiftly. Additionally, they needed to establish separate lineages at different breeding centers to ensure that one pair didn't overrun the whole population with its genes. So conservationists began searching Brazil for any Spix's macaws in private hands which could be rehabilitated for reintroduction. Owners were initially reluctant because they were afraid of being prosecuted for breaking a law that banned the export of animals. But gradually, “one by one, people came out,” says Kiessling.