Blog entry by Lynell Weymouth
Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous Macaw is one the rarest birds in the world. It is considered Critically Endangered, and may be extinct in the wild.
A variety of Aviculturalists have reported sightings of this bird However, the most recent sighting was in 1992. The reported sighting was in southwestern Paraguay close to the city of Corrientes. The bird was male.
Origin
The Glaucous macaw is a threatened parrot species that is native South America. This majestic bird is distinguished by its distinctive blue feather pattern as well as a powerful beak that is capable of breaking open tough seeds and nuts. Glaucous macaws form long-term monogamous couples and both parents help raise the chicks. The chicks are fed regurgitated food during the first few weeks of their lives before being fed solid food as they grow. Parents are a key part of teaching the young macaws how to fly and forage.
The glaucous Macaw is extinct, but rumors about its existence continue to circulate around the world. The glaucous Macaw is believed to be extinct by the 1800s due to the logging industry and cattle grazing in yatay (Butia) palm groves, where the birds gathered their food. The glaucous Macaw is believed to have made a comeback, and is often kept along with its larger mate, Lear's macaw.
In terms of habitat, the glaucous macaw can be found in sub-tropical forests of South America. They are typically found in areas with numerous palm trees. They are also extremely adaptable to different types of forest habitats. These beautiful birds are known to be very territorial and will defend their feeding and nesting areas from trespassers.
There have been a variety of reports about the glaucous macaw over the years, but they are considered to be not reliable. The most recent report of a wild event is an avicultural acquaintance of Ridgely's who claimed to have witnessed four Glaucous macaws in Califomia. This is a completely absurd claim until it is confirmed by hard evidence. Many experts have concluded that the bird is likely to be extinct since there are no records from the last century. However they have been willing accept a remote chance of its survival. If it does survive it will be extremely rare to witness large numbers.
Habitat
The glaucous macaw is a striking bird, renowned for its size and striking turquoise-blue coloration. Its long tail and wings highlight its graceful and agile movement. The bird is an emblem of love and loyalty. Its beak, which is mostly black, has a distinctive shape that allows it to break seeds and nuts. They form a large part of its diet.
The Glaucous Macaw is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN and the IUCN states that it is a small population and is at a significant danger of disappearing. The species was once widespread but is now found in northern Argentina south Paraguay and north-eastern Uruguay as well as Brazil from Parana state to south, where it is nestled in cliffs alongside major rivers.
While there have been no reliable sightings of this species since 1830 The Glaucous Macaw seemed not to be a rare species in its comparatively small range; specimens were collected from 1830 to 1850 (in Corrientes). The last known living Glaucous great green macaw was displayed at the Buenos Aires Zoo in 1936 and is believed to be from Brazil.
A re-examination of the historical documents suggests that this species was a very generalist in its preferences for habitat and preferred areas of savanna that were interspersed with palm "islands" and forests of riparian along river systems. It was a specialised food source for palm fruits, specifically those of the chatay palm (Butia yatay) however, it was likely to also consume ripe and unripe fruit such as berries, nuts, and vegetables. It nests on steep slopes or in cliffs, and also in tree cavities.
This bird was likely to be gregarious and social, like other parrots. It was able to live up to 14.8 years in captivity and was believed to be a dependable breeder that reproduced year after year. The lifespan of the species in the wild was 50-80 years. The species was a strong disperser of seeds and could be a factor in the success of the palm yatay in its natural habitat.
Feeding
The Glaucous Macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus) is among the most stunning of the species of parrots and has a a powerful impact in its environment. This large South American parrot is known for its vibrant Lolita blue & gold macaw feathers, bright yellow eyes and the teardrop-shaped lappet on its lower beak.
Up until recently, very little was known about the diet of the Glaucous Macaw. The first detailed references I have found are in two publications by H.W. Bates' "The Naturalist on the amazons" which was first published in 1863, which describes his 11-year sojourn in Brazil. Later, in his book "As Birds of the Brazilian Forests" He wrote about the similar experience. Both of these are about the Hyacinthine Macaw (Anodorhynchus aureolarius) however I see no reason to think that they're not applicable to this species.
It is likely that the Glaucous Macaw was a specialist feeder of palm nuts and also took other seeds, fruits, and vegetable matter in small quantities. This species' diet was likely affected by the clearing of forests for farming and cattle-ranching by early colonists as well as the felling of yatay (Butia) palms from which it derived a lot of its nutritional value.
In the wild in the wild, the Glaucous Macaw was often found in subtropical forests with the savannahs and cliffs surrounded by palm trees, where it nested in tree cavities and on rocky banks or in the palm fronds' top. On average, a clutch of two eggs was laid and then incubated by the female.
The young Glaucous Sinatra Macaws for Sale are altricial, which means they depend on their parents to care for them until they're fully grown and fly. Both the males and females are very dedicated to their offspring, and will hunt for food and defend them against predators.
Unfortunately, the Glaucous Macaw has been extirpated from its entire previous range. The disappearance of the majestic bird is likely due to the continued trapping of birds for the pet industry and disturbance to habitat, particularly the wholesale removal of palm yatays, which may have been its main food source. The Glaucous Mindy catalina macaw is listed as Critically Endangered.
Breeding
Glaucous macaws are typically monogamous couples, with both parents playing an active role in the raising of the young. They breed in the dry season, when food is most abundant. Females lay an egg clutch that ranges from two to three eggs that are incubated for around 28 days. When the chicks are born they are fed by their parents via regurgitation during the first few weeks of their lives. Then the young macaws begin to explore their surroundings and learn to feed themselves. They also learn to fly and forage.
Like all birds, glaucous macaws are extremely social creatures. They are active during the day, but are restful at night. During the night, they will often seek refuge inside tree cavities or other nesting areas that are suitable. Their calls can be heard throughout the forest throughout the day.
While it is believed that the species will be able to recover from its decline in the wild, the bird is facing many threats, including loss of habitat and illegal trapping for pet trade and deforestation. It is believed that there are less than 20 glaucous macaws in the wild. The IUCN classifies the bird as "Critically Endangered, possibly extinct."
The glaucous macaw is known as the Lear's macaw or blue-throated hummingbird. It is distinguished by its bright blue feathers. The parrot measures 70 centimeters in length and has a an impressive beak that is capable of slicing open seeds and nuts. This beautiful bird is native to South America, and it can be found in many habitats, including grasslands, forests, dry lowland, and wetlands.
This majestic bird is a symbol of South American biodiversity. Its elegant appearance is reflected with its slim body, bright blue feathers, and a light build. Its black and curved beak makes it easier to crack open nuts and seeds, which are a large part of its diet. It's a stunning bird, and is often used in bird shows. It is also popular in captivity where it can live for a long time.