Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous macaw is one of the world's rarest birds. It is 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. This alleged sighting occurred in southwestern Paraguay, near the city of Corrientes. The bird was a male.
Origin
The Glaucous macaw is an endangered parrot species native to South America. This majestic bird is distinguished by a blue feather pattern, and a strong beak capable of cracking open seeds and nuts. Glaucous macaws have been known to form long-term monogamous pairs and both parents help raise the chicks. The chicks are fed regurgitated food during the first few weeks of their lives, and then solid foods as the chicks develop. The parents also play a crucial role in teaching young macaws to fly and forage.
The glaucous macaw is considered to be extinct in the wild, yet reports of this beautiful bird's existence persist throughout the world. It is believed that the glaucous macaw was extirpated in the 1800s because of logging and cattle grazing of yatay palm (Butia yatay) groves, where these birds mostly ate their food. It is believed that the glaucous Macaw has made a comeback in captivity, where it is often kept alongside its larger cousin, Lear's macaw.
The glaucous Macaw lives in subtropical rainforests of South America. They are usually found in areas where there are many palm trees. They are also highly adaptable to a variety of forested environments. These beautiful birds are also known to be very territorial and will defend their feeding and nesting areas from intruders.
There have been a variety of reports on the glaucous macaw through the years, but many are considered to be not reliable. The most recent wild claim was reported 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 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 always been willing accept a remote chance of its survival. If it is able to survive, it is extremely unlikely to be seen in large numbers.
Habitat
The Glaucous Macaw is a magnificent bird, known for its size and turquoise-blue coloration. The tail feathers and wings are long, which enhances its graceful and agile movement. The bird is an emblem of loyalty and love. Its beak is mostly black and is distinctive in its shape. It allows it to crack open nuts and seeds, which make up a large part of its diet.
IUCN has classified the Glaucous Macaw as Critically Endangered. It notes that there is a small population of the bird and it is in high-risk of extinction. The species was once widespread but is now found in northern Argentina, south Paraguay and north-eastern Uruguay and Brazil, from Parana state to south, where it resides in cliffs alongside major rivers.
Although there harlequin macaw been any confirmed sightings of this species since 1830 The Glaucous Macaw seemed not to be extremely rare within its limited range. specimens were taken from 1830 to 1850 (in Corrientes). The last living Glaucous Macaw believed to originate from Brazil was seen in the Buenos Aires Zoo back in 1936.
A re-examination of the historical documents suggests that this species was a very generalist in its habitat preferences, with a preference for savanna habitat intermingled with palm "islands" and bands of riparian forest along rivers. It was a specific food source for palm fruits, especially those of the chatay or yatay palm (Butia yatay), but it could also consume ripe and unripe fruits, nuts, berries and vegetable matter. It nests on steep slopes on cliffs, in cliffs, and occasionally in tree cavities.
This bird was likely to be gregarious and social, similar to other parrots. It was able to live up to 14.8 years in captivity. It was said to be a reliable breeder that reproduced year after year. The life expectancy of this species in the wild was perhaps about 50 to 80 years. This species was a formidable seed disperser, and could have contributed to the success of the yatay palm in its natural habitats.
Feeding
The Glaucous Macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus) is one of the most stunning of the species of parrots and has a an enormous impact on its environment. This massive South American parrot is known for its vibrant blue feathers, yellow eyes and the teardrop-shaped lappet on the lower portion of its beak.
As of the time of writing, little was known about feeding habits and diet of the Glaucous macaw. The earliest detailed references that I have found are two works by H.W. Bates' "The Naturalist on Amazons", first published in 1863, and describes his 11-year sojourn in Brazil. Later in his book "As Birds of the Brazilian Forests" Bates wrote about the same experience. Both of these refer to 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 specialized in the consumption of palm nuts, and also ate 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, and the removal of yatay (Butia) palms from which it received much of its nutrition.
In the wild, it was common to see the Glaucous macaw in savannahs and subtropical forests where palm trees were found. It was found in tree cavities, or on rocky banks and palm fronds. Females incubate and lay two eggs on average.
The young Glaucous Macaws are altricial, which means they depend on their parents to take care of them until they're fully grown and fly. Both the male and female are extremely committed to their offspring and will continuously hunt for food and shield them from predators.
Unfortunately the Glaucous macaw has been found in most of its former habitat. The disappearance of the magnificent bird is likely due to continued trapping for the pet industry and disturbance of habitat, specifically the wholesale removal of palm yatays that could have been their primary food source. The Glaucous Macaw is classified as Critically Endangered.
Breeding
Glaucous Macaws form monogamous pair. Both parents are involved in raising their children. They breed during the dry season when the availability of food is at its greatest. Females lay an egg clutch that ranges from two to three eggs that are incubated for around 28 days. Once the chicks hatch, they are fed by their parents through regurgitation for the first couple of weeks of life. The young macaws then begin to explore their surroundings and learn to eat themselves. They also learn how to fly and hunt for food.
The glaucous Macaw can be described as a highly social bird. They are active during daylight hours and take a break at night. They will often seek shelter in cavities in trees or other suitable nesting sites for the night. Their calls can be heard throughout the forest throughout the day.
The species is expected to recover from its decline, however 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 exist in the wild. The IUCN classifies the bird as "Critically Endangered - possibly Extinct."
The glaucous Macaw is called the Lear's macaw, or the blue-throated hummingbird, and is distinguished by its vibrant blue feathers. The parrot is 70 centimeters long and has a powerful beak capable of breaking open nuts and seeds. This beautiful bird is native South America and can be found in diverse habitats that include grasslands, forests, and lowland wetlands.
This majestic bird is a symbol of South American biodiversity. It has a regal appearance, with its slender build, lightweight body and vivid blue feathers. The beak is curved and black, which aids it open the seeds and nuts which comprise a significant portion of its diet. It's a beautiful bird, and is often seen in bird shows. It is also a favorite in the wild, where it can be kept for a lifetime.