10 Untrue Answers To Common Glaucous Macaw Questions: Do You Know The Right Ones?
Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous macaw is considered to be one of the rarest birds on earth. It is Critically Endangered and could become extinct in the wild.
Various Aviculturalists have reported sightings of this bird, but the most recent was in 1992. This alleged sighting was in the southwest of Paraguay near the city Corrientes. The bird was male.
Origin
The Glaucous Macaw is a parrot native to South America. It is endangered. This magnificent bird is distinguished by a blue feather pattern, and a sharp beak that can break open seeds and nuts. Glaucous Macaws form monogamous long-term couples and both parents tend the chicks. They feed the chicks a diet of regurgitated food for the first couple of weeks after birth, before they begin eating solid food as they grow. Parents are also responsible for teaching young macaws to fly and hunt.
The glaucous macaw is believed to be extinct in the wild, however stories of this gorgeous bird's existence continue to spread all over the world. It is believed that the glaucous macaw was extinct in the 1800s due to the logging industry and cattle grazing in yatay palm (Butia yatay) areas, where the birds mostly ate their food. The Glaucous Macaw is believed be making a comeback and is often kept along with its larger mate, Lear's macaw.
In terms of habitat The glaucous macaw is able to be found in the sub-tropical forests of South America. They are most often found in areas with many palm trees. They are also known to be very adaptable to various types of forest habitats. These beautiful birds are territorial and defend the nesting and feeding area from intruders.
In the past, there have been a variety of reports about the glaucous Macaw, but they are generally regarded as unreliable. The most recent wild claim was made by an avicultural acquaintance of Ridgely who claimed to have seen four Glaucous Macaws in Califomia. This claim is unacceptable until it is supported with evidence. Many experts have concluded that this bird is likely extinct as there are no records from the last century. However they have been willing to accept a small chance of its survival. If it survives it is highly unlikely to make it to huge numbers.
Habitat
The glaucous macaw is a striking bird that is renowned for its huge size and stunning turquoise-blue coloration. The long tail and wings accentuate its graceful and agile moves. This bird is also an emblem of affection and loyalty. Its beak, which is predominantly black, has a distinctive shape and allows it to crack nuts and seeds. They form a large part its diet.
IUCN has classified the Glaucous Macaw as Critically Endangered. It states that there is a small population of this bird and it is in the risk of becoming extinct. This species was formerly quite widespread, but today it is found only in northern Argentina and southern Paraguay, north-eastern Uruguay and Brazil from Parana state southwards where it is nestled in cliffs on major rivers.
The Glaucous Macaw was not rare in its small range, even though there were no reliable sightings after 1830. There were specimens taken up until the year 1860 (in Corrientes). The last known living Glaucous Macaw was exhibited at the Buenos Aires Zoo in 1936 and is believed to have come from Brazil.
Reassessment suggests that this species is a generalist, preferring areas of savanna that are that is interspersed with palm "islands" and riparian forests along rivers. It was a particular feeder of palm fruit especially those of the yatay (or chatay) palm (Butia). However it also ate ripe or unripe fruits, nuts, berries, and even vegetable matter. It nested on steep slopes and cliffs, sometimes in tree cavities and laid an average clutch of two eggs.
As with other parrots this bird was social, and was likely to be gregarious. It was reported that it could live to 14.4 years in captivity, and was a reliable breeder who reproduced year after year. Its life expectancy in the wild was about 50 to 80 years. This species was a potent disperser of seeds and could be a factor in the success of the palm yatay in its natural habitats.
Feeding
The Glaucous Macaw is one of the most stunning parrots. The presence of this parrot has a strong impact on the environment. This massive South American parrot is known for its vibrant blue feathers, yellow eyes, and the teardrop-shaped lipped on its lower beak.
In the past, little was known about the food habits and diet of the Glaucous macaw. The first detailed references I have found are two works by H.W. Bates, "The Naturalist on the Amazons" first published in 1863, detailing his 11 year stay in Brazil and later in his book "As Birds of the Brazilian Forests". Both are about the Hyacinthine Macaw Anodorhynchus Aureolarius. There is no reason to believe that they don't apply to this species.
It is likely that the Glaucous Macaw was a specialist for the consumption of palm nuts. It also ate other seeds, fruits and vegetable matter in small quantities. The diet of this species is likely to have been affected by the clearing of forests by the early colonists for agriculture and cattle ranching as well as the felling of the yatay palm (Butia yatay) from which it could have gotten its majority of its food.
In the wild the Glaucous Macaw was commonly found in subtropical forests containing cliffs and savannahs with palm trees where it nested in tree cavities, on rocky banks or the palm fronds' top. On average, a clutch of two eggs was laid and incubated by the female.
The young Glaucous Macaws are altricial, meaning they depend on their parents to look after them until they're fully grown and able to fly. Both males and females are dedicated to their offspring, and hunt for food and protect them against predators.
Unfortunately the Glaucous Macaw has been eliminated from the majority of its former range. The disappearance of the magnificent bird is likely to be due to the continued trapping of birds for the pet industry and disturbance to habitat, particularly the massive removal of palm yatays, which may have been its main food source. The Glaucous Macaw is classified as Critically Endangered.
Breeding
Glaucous Macaws are monogamous, long-term couples. Both parents are involved in raising their young. Buffy macaw bird for sale breed during the dry season, which is when food is most abundant. Females lay an egg clutch that ranges from two to three eggs that are incubated for around 28 days. For the first few weeks following hatching, the chicks are fed by the parents through regurgitation. The young macaws then begin to explore their surroundings and begin to learn to eat themselves. They are also taught how to fly and hunt for food.
The glaucous Macaw is a highly social bird. They are active during the day, but sleep at night. In the evening they usually seek refuge inside tree cavities or other suitable nesting places. Their calls can be heard in the forest throughout the day.
While it is hoped that the species will recover from its decline in the wild, the bird faces many threats, including loss of habitat, illegal trapping for the pet trade and deforestation. It is believed that there are just 20 glaucous macaws in the wild. The IUCN classifies the bird as "Critically Endangered, possibly extinct."
The glaucous macaw is also called the Lear's macaw, or the blue-throated hummingbird, and is distinguished by its vivid blue feathers. The parrot measures 70 centimeters long and features a an impressive beak that is capable of breaking open nuts and seeds. This gorgeous bird is native to South America, and it is found in various habitats such as forests, dry lowland grasslands and wetland.
This magnificent bird is a symbol of South American biodiversity. Its elegant appearance, with its slender body, light build and bright blue feathers. Its beak is curved and black, which aids it open the nuts and seeds that make up a major portion of its diet. It is a beautiful bird that is often seen in birds shows. It is also popular in captivity where it can live a lifetime.