Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous Macaw is among the rarest birds in the world. It is critically endangered and could even be extinct.
Various aviculturalists have reported sightings of this bird, but the most recent was in 1992. The reported sighting was in the southwest region of Paraguay near the city Corrientes. The bird was a male.
Origin
The Glaucous macaw is an endangered parrot species that is native South America. This magnificent bird features a distinctive blue feather pattern and a powerful beak that is capable of cracking open tough seeds and nuts. Glaucous Macaws live in monogamous pairs and both parents care for the chicks. The chicks are fed a diet of regurgitated food for the first couple of weeks of their lives, and then solid foods as they grow. Parents are also responsible for teaching the young macaws to fly and hunt.
The glaucous Macaw has gone extinct, yet rumors of its existence continue to circulate across the globe. It is estimated that the glaucous macaw was extirpated in the 1800s because of the logging industry and cattle grazing in yatay palm (Butia yatay) groves, where these birds primarily gathered their meals. It is believed that the glaucous macaw has returned to captivity, where it is often raised alongside its larger relative Lear's macaw.
In terms of habitat the glaucous macaw can be found in the sub-tropical forests of South America. They are typically found in areas with many palm trees. They are also known to be highly adaptable to a variety of forest environments. These beautiful birds are also recognized as being very territorial and will protect their feeding and nesting areas from trespassers.
There have been a lot of reports about the glaucous macaw over the years, but they are considered to be not reliable. The most recent wild claim was made by an avicultural friend of Ridgely who claimed to have spotted four Glaucous Macaws in Califomia. This claim is untrue until it can backed up with hard evidence. The absence of any reliable records of this bird in the last century has led many experts to think that it's likely extinct, yet they have always been open to the possibility of survival (Vielliard 1979, Ridgely 1981a, Sick 1985, Chebez 1986a). If it does survive it will be very uncommon to witness large numbers.
Habitat
The macaw glaucous is an impressive bird that is known for its size and stunning turquoise-blue coloration. Its wings and tail feathers are long, which enhances its graceful and agile movements. The bird is also an emblem of affection and loyalty. Its beak, which is predominantly black, has a distinct shape that allows it to crack seeds and nuts. They form a large part of its diet.
IUCN has classified the Glaucous Macaw as Critically Endangered. It states that there is only a small population of the bird and it is at risk of extinction. The species was once quite widespread, but today it is only 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 no confirmed sightings of this species since 1830, the Glaucous Macaw seemed not to be very rare in its limited range. specimens were collected up to 1860 (in Corrientes). The last living Glaucous Macaw, believed to be from Brazil was seen in the Buenos Aires Zoo back in 1936.
Re-evaluation of the historical documents suggests that this species was a rather generalist in its habitat preferences and preferred areas of savanna that were interspersed with palm "islands" and bands of riparian forest along river systems. It was a specialist for the consumption of palm fruits especially those of the yatay (or chatay) palm (Butia). However, it also ate ripe and unripe fruits, nuts, berries, and vegetable matter. It is a nesting place on steep slopes on cliffs, in cliffs, and occasionally in tree cavities.
Like all parrots, this bird was social and likely to be gregarious. It was said that it could live for 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 50-80 years. This species was a powerful disperser of seeds, and could have contributed towards the success of the palm yatay species in its natural habitat.
Feeding
The Glaucous Macaw is one of the most stunning parrots. Its presence can have a strong influence on the surrounding. This large South American parrot is known for its vibrant blue feathers, bright yellow eyes, and the teardrop-shaped lipped on the lower part its beak.
Up until recently, very little was known about eating habits and diet of the Glaucous macaw. The earliest detailed references that I have located are two works by H.W. Bates, "The Naturalist on the Amazons" first published in 1863 on his 11 year sojourn 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.
The Glaucous macaw is likely be a specialist eater, consuming only palm nuts however, there were also small amounts of other seeds, fruits and other matter. The diet of this species was likely influenced by the clearing of here forests for agriculture and cattle-ranching by early colonists as well as the yatay (Butia) palms from which it derived a lot of its nutritional value.
In the wild it was commonplace to find the Glaucous macaw in savannahs and subtropical forests where palm trees were present. 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 then incubated by the female.
The young Glaucous Macaws are altricial, which means they depend on their parents to care for them until they become fully grown and fly. Both the males and females are very committed to their offspring and hunt for food and defend them against predators.
Unfortunately the Glaucous macaw isn't found in most of its former habitat. The disappearance of this majestic bird is most likely due to the continuing trapping for the pet trade as well as disturbance to habitat, specifically the mass removal of yatay palms where it could have gotten its primary food source. The Glaucous macaw is listed under Critically Endangered.
Breeding
Glaucous Macaws are monogamous, long-term pair. Both parents are involved in the raising of their young. They breed in the dry season, when food is most abundant. The female lays an egg clutch that ranges from two to three eggs that are incubated for around 28 days. For the first few weeks after hatching, the chicks are fed by their parents via regurgitation. Macaws are then able exploring and learning to feed themselves. They also learn how to fly and hunt for food.
Like all birds, glaucous macaws are extremely social creatures. They are active during the day but spend their nights resting. In the evening they often seek shelter inside tree cavities or other nesting areas that are suitable. They are highly vocal, and their calls can be heard throughout the forest during the day.
While it is believed that the species will be able to recover from its decline in the wild, the bird faces numerous threats, such as the loss of habitat, illegal trapping for the pet trade and deforestation. It is believed that there are only about 20 glaucous macaws that are in the wild. The IUCN has classified the bird as "Critically endangered, possibly extinct."
The glaucous macaw is also called the Lear's macaw or blue-throated hummingbird. It can be distinguished by its vivid blue feathers. It is a large bird, measuring 70 centimeters in length, and has a strong beak that can break open seeds and nuts that are tough to break. This beautiful bird is native to South America, and it is found in various habitats like forests, dry lowland grasslands and wetland.
This magnificent bird is a sign of South American biodiversity. Its appearance is elegant with its slim body, light build, and vibrant blue feathers. Its beak is curvaceous and black, which helps it open the nuts and seeds that comprise a large portion of its diet. It's a stunning bird, and is often used in shows featuring birds. It is also popular in captivity, where it can live for a lifetime.