Glaucous Macaw

The glaucous macaw is one of the rarest birds on earth. It is Critically Endangered and could become extinct in the wild.

The bird has been reported by aviculturists across the globe however the most recent sighting was in 1992. The alleged sighting was reported to have occurred in the southwestern region of Paraguay close to the city of Corrientes. The bird was male.

Origin

The Glaucous Macaw is a parrot native to South America. It is endangered. This magnificent bird has a unique blue feather pattern and powerful beak capable of cracking open tough nuts and seeds. Glaucous macaws have been known to form long-term monogamous couples and both parents help raise the chicks. They feed the chicks a diet of regurgitated food for the first few weeks after birth, and later they begin eating solid foods as they grow. Parents are also responsible for teaching young macaws to fly and hunt.

The glaucous Macaw has gone extinct, yet rumors of its existence continue to circulate around the world. The Glaucous Macaw is believed be extinct by the 1800s because of cattle grazing on yatay (Butia) palm groves where the birds gathered their food. The glaucous Macaw is believed to be making a comeback and is usually kept with its larger mate, Lear's macaw.

The glaucous Macaw lives in sub-tropical rainforests in South America. They are usually found in areas with abundant palm trees, and are known to be highly adaptable to various types of forested habitats. These beautiful birds are territorial and defend the nesting and feeding area from intruders.

Over the years there have been many reports on the glaucous Macaw However, they are generally considered unreliable. The most recent claim of a wild occurrence involves an friend of Ridgely's that claimed to have observed four Glaucous macaws in Califomia. This is a completely absurd claim until it is confirmed by hard evidence. The absence of any reliable evidence of this bird in the past century has been a reason for many experts to think that it's likely extinct, but they have always accepted an extremely remote possibility of its existence (Vielliard 1979, Ridgely 1981a, Sick 1985, Chebez 1986a). If it survives it is highly unlikely to be seen in large numbers.

Habitat

The glaucous macaw is a striking bird that is renowned for its huge size and striking turquoise-blue coloration. The tail and wings are long, which aids in its fluid and graceful movement. Ziggy Our Scarlet Macaw is a symbol of love and loyalty. Its beak, which is predominantly black, is distinctive in its shape and allows it to crack nuts and seeds. These are a large portion of its diet.

IUCN has classified the Glaucous Macaw as Critically Endangered. It notes that there is only a small population of the bird, and that it is at a the risk of becoming extinct. This species was formerly relatively widespread, but it is found in northern Argentina, southern Paraguay and north-eastern Uruguay and Brazil from Parana state southwards, where it nestted in cliffs along major rivers.


While there have been Ziggy Our Scarlet Macaw of this species since 1830, the Glaucous Macaw seemed not to be a rare species in its comparatively small range; specimens were captured 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.

Re-evaluation of the historical records suggests that this species was very generalist in its habitat preferences and preferred savanna habitat intermingled with palm "islands" and areas of riparian forest along river systems. It was a specific feeder of palm fruits, particularly those of the yatay or chatay palm (Butia yatay) however, it could also consume ripe and unripe fruits, nuts, berries and vegetables. It nests on steep slopes or in cliffs, and also in tree cavities.

This bird was likely to be gregarious and social, just like other parrots. It was reported that it could live up to 14.4 years in captivity and was a reliable breeder who reproduced year after. The lifespan of the species in the wild was perhaps about 50 to 80 years. This species was a powerful seed disperser and could have contributed to the success of the yatay palm in its natural habitats.

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 huge South American parrot is known for its bright blue feathers, yellow eyes, and the teardrop-shaped lipped on its lower beak.

Up until recently, very little was known about the feeding habits and diet of the Glaucous macaw. The earliest detailed references that I have come across are two works by H.W. Bates' "The Naturalist on the amazons", first published in 1863, and describes his 11-year stay in Brazil. In his later book "As Birds of the Brazilian Forests" Bates wrote about the same experience. Both of these are about the Hyacinthine Macaw (Anodorhynchus aureolarius) however I see no reason to think that they are not applicable to this species.

The Glaucous macaw is likely to have been a specialist feeder, consuming mainly palm nuts however, there were also tiny amounts of other seeds, fruits and vegetable matter. This species' diet was likely heavily influenced by the clearing of forests for farming and cattle-ranching by early colonists, as well the removal of yatay (Butia) palms from which it derived a lot of its nutrition.

In the wild it was commonplace to find the Glaucous macaw in subtropical forests and savannahs where palm trees were present. It was found in tree cavities, or on rocky banks and palm fronds. The female incubates and then lays two eggs per.

The young Glaucous Macaws are altricial, meaning they rely on their parents to care for them until they are fully grown and able to fly. Both males and females are very committed to their offspring and hunt for food and protect them from predators.

Unfortunately, the Glaucous Macaw has been eliminated from most of its former range. The disappearance of this magnificent bird is probably due to the ongoing trapping for the pet trade, as well as habitat disturbance, particularly the mass removal of yatay palms which it may have obtained its primary food source. The Glaucous Macaw is listed as Critically Endangered.

Breeding

Glaucous macaws usually form long-term monogamous couples with both parents taking an active role in the raising of the young. They breed during the dry season, when food is most abundant. Females lay an egg clutch that ranges from two to three eggs, which are incubated for about 28 days. Once the chicks hatch they are fed by their parents through regurgitation for the first couple of weeks of their life. Macaws are then able to explore and learn to feed themselves. They also learn how to fly and hunt for food.

The glaucous Macaw is highly social bird. They are active during daylight hours and take a break at night. They usually seek shelter in tree cavities or other nesting spots for the night. Their calls can be heard throughout the forest throughout the day.

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

The glaucous Macaw is sometimes referred to as Lear's Macaw or blue-throated Hummingbird is distinguished by its vibrantly blue feathers. It is a large parrot, with a length of 70 centimeters and features a robust beak that can break open hard nuts and seeds. This beautiful bird is native to South America, and it is found in various habitats, including grasslands, forests, dry lowland and wetlands.

This majestic bird is a symbol of South American biodiversity. It has a regal appearance, with its slender build, lightweight body, and vibrant blue feathers. Its beak is curved and black, which aids it crack open the nuts and seeds that comprise a large portion of its diet. It is a beautiful bird and is often used in birds shows. It is also popular in captivity where it can live for a long time.