Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous macaw is one of the rarest birds in the world. It is in serious danger and may even be extinct.
Various aviculturalists have reported sightings of this bird However, the most recent sighting was in 1992. This alleged sighting was in southwest Paraguay near the city Corrientes. The bird was a male.
Origin
The Glaucous macaw is an endangered parrot species that is native to South America. This magnificent bird is characterized by blue feathers, and a sharp beak capable of cracking open seeds and nuts. Glaucous Macaws are monogamous pairs, and both parents raise the chicks. The chicks are fed a diet of regurgitated food in the first few weeks of their lives and then a variety of solid foods as the chicks grow. Parents are also responsible for teaching young macaws to fly and hunt.
The glaucous Macaw is extinct, but rumors about its existence continue to spread around the world. The glaucous Macaw is believed to have been extinct in the 1800s because of logging and cattle grazing on yatay (Butia) palm groves, where the birds would gather their food. It is currently believed that the glaucous macaw returned to captivity, where it is often kept with its larger cousin Lear's macaw.
The glaucous Macaw is found in subtropical rainforests of South America. They are typically located in areas with a lot of palm trees, and they are thought to be extremely adaptable to different types of forested habitats. These beautiful birds are known to be very territorial and will defend their feeding and nesting areas from invaders.
There have been a variety of reports about the glaucous macaw through the years, but they are considered to be not reliable. The most recent claim of a wild occurrence involves a avicultural acquaintance of Ridgely's who claimed to have observed four Glaucous macaws in Califomia. This is a completely absurd claim until it is verified by hard evidence. The absence of any reliable evidence of this bird in the past century has caused many experts to believe that it is extinct, but they have always been open to a remote possibility of its survival (Vielliard 1979, Ridgely 1981a, Sick 1985, Chebez 1986a). If it survives it is highly unlikely to reach large numbers.
Habitat
The glaucous macaw is a striking bird, renowned for its size and striking turquoise-blue coloration. The tail and wings are long, enhancing its fluid and graceful moves. This bird is a symbol of love and loyalty. Its beak, which is mostly black, has a distinct shape that allows it to break seeds and nuts. They are a significant part of its diet.
IUCN has classified the Glaucous Macaw as Critically Endangered. It says that there is a very small population of this bird, and that it is at a risk of extinction. This species was formerly relatively widespread, but it is found only in northern Argentina and southern Paraguay, north-eastern Uruguay and Brazil from Parana state southwards where it nestted in cliffs along major rivers.
The Glaucous Macaw was not rare in its relatively small range, even though there was no evidence of sightings since 1830. There were specimens collected 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.
The reassessment suggests that the species is a generalist, and prefers savanna habitat interspersed with palm "islands" and bands of riparian forests along rivers. It was a particular eater of palm fruits, specifically those of the chatay or yatay palm (Butia yatay) but it could also consume unripe and ripe fruits such as berries, nuts, and vegetable matter. It nestled on slopes and in cliffs, occasionally in tree cavities and laid an average clutch of two eggs.
Like other parrots, this bird was social and was probably gregarious. It could live up to 14.8 years in captivity and was believed to be a reliable breeder that reproduced year after year. In the wild, its life expectancy was probably between 50 and 80 years. This species was a formidable seed disperser and may have contributed to the success of the yatay palm in its native habitats.
Feeding
The Glaucous Macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus) is among the most stunning of the species of parrots and its presence has an immense impact in its surroundings. This massive South American parrot is known for its bright blue feathers, yellow eyes, and the teardrop-shaped lipped on its lower beak.
Until recently very little was known about 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" first published in 1863, and 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 them 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 have been a specialist feeder, consuming mainly palm nuts however, there were also small amounts of other fruits, seeds and vegetable matter. The diet of this species was likely heavily influenced by the clearing of forests for farming and cattle-ranching by early colonists, and the yatay (Butia) palms from which it derived a lot of its nutritional value.
In buy-macaw.com , it was common to see the Glaucous macaw in savannahs and forests that were subtropical where palm trees were present. It hid in tree cavities or on rocky banks or palm fronds. The female incubates and lays two eggs per.
The young Glaucous Macaws are altricial, meaning they rely on their parents to look after 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 defend them against predators.
Unfortunately unfortunately, the Glaucous Macaw has been eliminated from most of its previous range. The disappearance of this magnificent bird is likely to be due to continued trapping for the pet industry, as well as disturbance to habitat, particularly the massive clearing of palm yatays which may have been its primary food source. The Glaucous Macaw is listed as Critically Endangered.
Breeding
Glaucous Macaws are monogamous, long-term pairs. Both parents are involved in the raising of their children. They breed during the dry season, when the food supply is at its highest. The female will lay two to three eggs that are incubated by the mother for about 28 days. Once the chicks hatch 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 begin to learn to eat themselves. They also learn how to fly and forage.
Like all species of birds, glaucous macaws are extremely social creatures. They are active during the day and spend their nights resting. They will often seek shelter in tree cavities or other suitable nesting sites to sleep. They are very vocal and their calls can be heard throughout the forest during the day.
The species is expected to recover from the decline, but it is in danger of being wiped out by habitat loss illegal trapping of the bird for pet trade, and deforestation. About 20 glaucous macaws are believed to be in the wild. The IUCN classifies the bird as "Critically Endangered--Possibly Extinct."
The glaucous Macaw is also known as Lear's Macaw or Blue-throated Hummingbird, is distinguished by its vivid blue feathers. The parrot measures 70 centimeters long and has powerful beaks that are capable of slicing open seeds and nuts. This beautiful bird is native to South America, and it is found in a variety of habitats such as forests, dry lowland grasslands and wetland.
This magnificent bird is a symbol of South American biodiversity. Its appearance is elegant, with its slender body, light build and bright blue feathers. Its beak is curvaceous and black, which aids it crack open the seeds and nuts which comprise a significant portion of its diet. It's a stunning bird, and it's often used in shows featuring birds. It is also a favorite in captivity, where it could live for a lifetime.