Blog entry by Sadie Branch

Anyone in the world

A.jpgGlaucous Darling hahns macaw

The glaucous Macaw is among the rarest birds in the world. It is critically endangered and may even be extinct.

The bird has been observed by aviculturists from various countries however the most recent sighting was reported in 1992. The alleged sighting was reported to be in the southwest region of Paraguay close to the city of Corrientes. The bird was male.

Origin

The Glaucous macaw is a threatened parrot species that is native to South America. This majestic bird is distinguished by its unique blue feather pattern and powerful beak capable of cracking open tough nuts and seeds. Glaucous macaws are known to form long-term monogamous families and both parents are involved in the raising of the chicks. The chicks are fed a diet of regurgitated food for the first couple of weeks of their lives before being fed solid food as they grow. Parents are also responsible for teaching the young macaws to fly and hunt.

The glaucous Macaw is extinct, yet rumors of its existence continue to spread all over the world. The glaucous buy macaw is believed to have been extinct in the 1800s because of logging and cattle grazing on yatay (Butia) palm groves where the birds gathered their food. The glaucous Ziggy hyacinth macaw parrots for sale is believed to have made a comeback, and is often kept with its larger cousin, Lear's macaw.

In terms of habitat, the glaucous macaw can be found in the sub-tropical forests of South America. They are most often located in areas with a lot of palm trees, and they are known to be highly adaptable to a variety of forested habitats. These beautiful birds can be territorial and will protect the nesting and feeding areas from intruders.

There have been a variety of reports on the glaucous macaw over the years, but they are considered to be not reliable. The most recent report of a wild incident is an friend of Ridgely's that claimed to have seen four Glaucous macaws in Califomia. This is a completely absurd claim until it can be verified with hard evidence. The absence of any credible records of this bird in the past century has led many experts to believe that it is extinct, yet they have always accepted a remote possibility of its survival (Vielliard 1979, Ridgely 1981a, Sick 1985, Chebez 1986a). If it is able to survive it will be very rare to witness large numbers.

Habitat

The glaucous macaw is a striking bird that is known for its size and striking turquoise-blue coloration. Its long tail and wings highlight its graceful and agile moves. The bird is a symbol of love and loyalty. Its beak, which is primarily black, has a distinct shape that allows it to crack nuts and seeds. They form a large part of its diet.

The Glaucous Macaw is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN which states that it has an extremely small population and is at a significant chance of becoming extinct. This species was formerly fairly widespread but now it is found only in northern Argentina, southern Paraguay, north-eastern Uruguay and Brazil from Parana state southwards where it is nestled in cliffs on major rivers.

Although there haven't been any credible sightings of the species since 1830 The Glaucous Macaw seemed not to be extremely rare within its relatively limited range; specimens were collected from 1830 to 1860 (in Corrientes). The last known living Glaucous Macaw was displayed at the Buenos Aires Zoo in 1936 and is believed to be from Brazil.

A reassessment of the historical records suggests that this species was more generalist in its preferences for habitat, with a preference for areas of savanna that were interspersed with palm "islands" and bands of riparian forest along river systems. It was a particular for the consumption of palm fruits particularly those of the yatay (or chatay) palm (Butia). However it also ate ripe or unripe fruits and berries, nuts, and even vegetable matter. It nestled on steep slopes and in cliffs sometimes in tree cavities, and laid an average clutch of two eggs.

As with other parrots this bird was social and probably gregarious. It could live up to 14.8 years in captivity. It was said to be a reliable breeder that reproduced year after year. The lifespan of the species in the wild was 50-80 years. This species was a potent seed disperser, and could have contributed to the success of the yatay palm within its natural habitats.

Feeding

The Glaucous Macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus) is one of the most stunning of the species of parrots and its presence has an immense impact in its environment. This huge South American parrot is known for its vibrant blue feathers, bright yellow eyes and the teardrop-shaped lappet on the lower portion of its beak.

Up until recently, very little was known about eating habits of the Glaucous Macaw. The first references to the subject I have discovered are in two books by H.W. Bates, "The Naturalist on the Amazons" first published in 1863 on his 11 year stay in Brazil and later in his work "As Birds of the Brazilian Forests". Both of these are about the Hyacinthine Macaw, Anodorhynchus Aureolarius. There is no reason to believe that they don't apply to this species.

It is probable that the Glaucous Macaw was a specialist in the consumption of palm nuts, and also took other seeds, fruits, and vegetable matter in smaller amounts. The diet of this species was likely heavily influenced by the clearing of forests for agriculture and cattle-ranching by early colonists, as well the yatay (Butia) palms from which it derived a lot of its nutrition.

In the wild, the Glaucous Ziggy hyacinth macaw parrots for sale was found in subtropical forests that had cliffs and savannahs with palm trees, where it nested in tree cavities and on rocky banks or the top of palm fronds. On average two eggs were laid in a clutch. eggs was laid and incubated by the female.

The young Glaucous Macaws are altricial, meaning they rely on their parents to take care of them until they become fully grown and able to fly. Both the male and female are extremely committed to their offspring and continuously hunt for food and shield them from predators.

Unfortunately the Glaucous Macaw has been extirpated from the majority of its former range. The disappearance of this magnificent bird is likely due to the continued trapping for the pet trade, as well as disturbance to habitat, specifically the wholesale removal of yatay palms which it may have obtained its main food supply. The Glaucous Macaw is classified as Critically Endangered.

Breeding

Glaucous macaws typically form long-term monogamous pairs with both parents taking part in raising the young. They breed during the dry season when food availability is at its highest. The female lays two to three eggs which are incubated by the mother for about 28 days. Once the chicks hatch, they are fed by their parents through regurgitation for the first few weeks of their lives. The young macaws begin to explore and to feed themselves. They also learn to fly and hunt for food.

Like all birds, glaucous macaws are social animals. They are active during daylight hours, and rest at night. They usually seek shelter in cavities in trees or other nesting spots for the night. Their calls can be heard throughout the forest throughout the day.

The species is expected to rebound from the decline, however it is facing numerous threats, including habitat loss illegal trapping of the bird for pet trade, and deforestation. It is believed that there are less than 20 glaucous macaws that are in the wild. The IUCN classifies the bird as "Critically Endangered, possibly extinct."

The glaucous macaw is also called the Lear's macaw or blue-throated hummingbird. It is distinguished by its vibrant blue feathers. The parrot is 70 centimeters long and has an impressive beak that is capable of cracking open nuts and seeds. The beautiful bird is native to South America and can be found in diverse habitats, including forests, lowland grasslands and wetlands.

d.jpgThis magnificent bird is a symbol of South American biodiversity. It has a regal look with its slender body, vibrant blue feathers, and lightweight build. Its black and curved beak makes it easier to crack open nuts and seeds, which make up a significant part of its diet. It is a beautiful bird that is often seen in bird shows. It is also popular in captivity where it can live for a lifetime.