Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous Macaw is one the rarest birds in the world. It is critically endangered and could even be extinct.
The bird has been reported by aviculturists across the globe however the most recent sighting was recorded in 1992. The reported sighting was in southwestern Paraguay close to the city of Corrientes. The bird was male.
Origin
The Glaucous macaw is an endangered parrot species that is native to South America. This magnificent bird has a distinctive blue feather pattern as well as a powerful beak capable of cracking open tough nuts and seeds. Glaucous Macaws live in monogamous pair and both parents care for the chicks. The chicks are fed regurgitated food in the first few weeks of life before being fed solid food as the chicks grow. Parents are also responsible for teaching the young macaws to fly and buymacaw hunt.
The glaucous Macaw has gone extinct, yet rumors of its existence persist all over the world. The Glaucous Macaw is believed have been extinct in the 1800s due to the logging industry and cattle grazing in yatay (Butia) palm groves, where the birds gathered their food. It is currently believed that the glaucous macaw has made a comeback in captivity, where it is often kept alongside its larger cousin 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 usually found in areas where there are numerous palm trees. They are also known to be extremely adaptable to different types of forest habitats. These beautiful birds are territorial and defend the nesting and feeding areas from intruders.
There have been a lot of reports involving the glaucous macaw throughout the years, but they are considered to be not reliable. The most recent claim of a wild event is an avicultural acquaintance of Ridgely's who 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 last century has been a reason for many experts to believe that it is extinct, yet they have always accepted an extremely remote possibility of its existence (Vielliard 1979, Ridgely 1981a, Sick 1985, Chebez 1986a). If it survives it will be extremely rare to observe large numbers.
Habitat
The macaw glaucous is an impressive bird that is known for its large size and stunning turquoise-blue coloration. The tail feathers and wings are long, which aids in its graceful and agile movement. The bird is an emblem of loyalty and love. Its beak, which is predominantly black, is distinctive in its shape and allows it to break seeds and nuts. These are a large part its diet.
IUCN has classified the Glaucous Macaw as Critically Endangered. It says that there is only a tiny population of this bird and it is at high-risk of extinction. This species was once widespread however, it is now found in northern Argentina south Paraguay and north-eastern Uruguay and Brazil and Brazil from Parana state to south, where it nests in cliffs alongside major rivers.
The Glaucous Macaw was not rare in its small area, even though there was no evidence of sightings since 1830. There were specimens collected up until the year 1860 (in Corrientes). The last living Glaucous Macaw believed to originate from Brazil, was exhibited in the Buenos Aires Zoo back in 1936.
Reassessment suggests that this species is a generalist and prefers the savanna habitat, which is that is interspersed with palm "islands" and riparian forests along rivers. It was a specific food source for palm fruits, particularly those of the chatay or yatay palm (Butia yatay) however, it could also feed on ripe and unripe fruit, nuts, berries and vegetable matter. 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 said that it could live for up to 14.4 years in captivity and was a reliable breeder that reproduced year after. Its life expectancy in the wild was about 50 to 80 years. This species was a powerful disperser of seeds and could be a factor in the success of the palm yatay species in its natural habitats.
Feeding
The Glaucous Macaw is one of the most beautiful parrots. Its presence has an impact on its environment. This massive South American parrot is known for its bright blue feathers, bright yellow eyes and the teardrop-shaped lappet on its lower beak.
As of the time of writing, little was known about the eating habits and diet of the Glaucous macaw. The first detailed references I have found are in two works by H.W. Bates' "The Naturalist on the amazons" first published in 1863, and describes his 11-year journey in Brazil. In his later book "As Birds of the Brazilian Forests", he wrote about the same experience. Both of these are about the Hyacinthine Macaw (Anodorhynchus aureolarius), but I have no reason to think that they're not applicable to this species.
It is likely that the Glaucous Macaw was a specialized for the consumption of palm nuts. It also ate other seeds, fruits, and vegetable matter in small amounts. The diet of this species was likely affected by the clearing of forests to cultivate cattle and the cattle-ranching practices of early colonists, as well the yatay (Butia) palms from which it received much of its nutritional value.
In the wild it was commonplace to find the Glaucous macaw in savannahs and subtropical forests where palm trees were found. It was found in tree cavities, or on rocky banks or 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, which means they depend on their parents to care for them until they are fully fledged and can fly. Both the males and females are dedicated to their offspring, and will hunt for food and protect them against predators.
Unfortunately, the Glaucous macaw has been present in the majority of its former habitat. The disappearance of the magnificent bird is likely to be due to trapping that continues for the pet industry as well as disturbance of habitat, specifically the massive clearing of palm yatays which may have been its main food source. The Glaucous Macaw is classified as Critically Endangered.
Breeding
Glaucous macaws typically form long-term monogamous pairs, with both parents playing an active role in the raising of the young. They breed during the dry season when food availability is at its highest. Females lay a clutch of two to three eggs, which are incubated for a period of around 28 days. Once the chicks hatch, they are fed by their parents via regurgitation for the first couple of weeks of life. Then the young macaws begin to explore their surroundings and learn to eat themselves. They also learn to fly and forage.
The glaucous Macaw is a extremely social bird. They are active during the day and spend their nights resting. They usually seek shelter in tree cavities or other suitable nesting sites to sleep. They are highly vocal, and their calls can be heard throughout the forest during the day.
The species is expected to recover from its decline, however it is in danger of being wiped out by habitat loss and illegal trapping of the bird for the pet market, and deforestation. About 20 glaucous macaws are believed to exist 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 bright blue feathers. The parrot is 70 centimeters long and has an impressive beak that is capable of slicing open seeds and nuts. This beautiful bird is native to South America, and it is found in a variety of habitats like forests, dry lowland grasslands, and wetlands.
This magnificent bird is a symbol of South American biodiversity. Its appearance is elegant with its slim build, lightweight body, and vibrant blue feathers. The black and curly beak allows it to break open nuts and seeds, which are a large part of its diet. It is a beautiful bird that is often seen in birds shows. It is also a favorite in the wild, where it can live for a lifetime.