15 Top Twitter Accounts To Learn More About Glaucous Macaw
15 Top Twitter Accounts To Learn More About Glaucous Macaw
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Glaucous Macaw
The glaucous macaw is considered to be one of the world's rarest birds. It is in serious danger and could even be extinct.
The bird has been reported by aviculturists across the globe however the most recent sighting was recorded in 1992. This alleged sighting was in the southwest of Paraguay close to the city of Corrientes. The bird was a male.
Origin
The Glaucous macaw is an endangered parrot species that is native to South America. This majestic bird is distinguished by the blue feather pattern and a strong beak capable of cracking open seeds and nuts. Glaucous macaws have been known to form long-term monogamous couples and both parents are involved in the raising of the chicks. The chicks are fed a diet of regurgitated food for the first couple of weeks of their lives before being fed solid food 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 circulate around the world. The Glaucous Macaw is believed be extinct by 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 made a comeback in captivity in the wild, where it is kept alongside its larger cousin, Lear's macaw.
The glaucous Macaw lives in sub-tropical rainforests of South America. They are most often found in areas that have plenty of palm trees, and are believed to be extremely adaptable to various types of forested habitats. These beautiful birds are known to be very territorial and will protect their nesting and feeding areas from intruders.
There have been a number of reports on the glaucous macaw over the years, but they are considered to be unreliable. The most recent wild claim was made by an avicultural acquaintance of Ridgely who claimed to have spotted four Glaucous Macaws in Califomia. This claim is completely unacceptable until it is confirmed with hard evidence. The absence of any credible records of this bird in the last century has caused many experts to conclude that it is likely extinct, but they have always accepted the possibility of existence (Vielliard 1979, Ridgely 1981a, Sick 1985, Chebez 1986a). If it does survive it will be very uncommon to observe large numbers.
Habitat
The Glaucous Macaw is a magnificent bird, known for its size and turquoise-blue coloring. The tail feathers and wings are long, enhancing its fluid and graceful moves. The bird is also an emblem of love and loyalty. Its beak, which is primarily black, is distinctive in its shape and allows it to crack seeds and nuts. These are a large part of its diet.
IUCN has classified the Glaucous Macaw as Critically Endangered. It says that there is only a small population of the bird and it is at the risk of becoming extinct. The species was once widespread, but is now only found in northern Argentina south Paraguay and north-eastern Uruguay and Brazil and Brazil from Parana state to the south, where it resides in cliffs that run alongside major rivers.
The Glaucous Macaw was not rare in its limited range, despite the fact that there were no reliable 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 be from Brazil.
A reassessment of the historical documents suggests that this species was a more 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 specialist in the consuming of palm fruit, especially those of the yatay (or chatay) palm (Butia). However, it also ate ripe and unripe fruits as well as berries, nuts and even vegetable matter. It nestled on slopes and in cliffs occasionally in tree cavities and laid an average clutch of two eggs.
This bird was likely gregarious and social, similar to other parrots. It could live for up to 14.8 years in captivity. It was believed to be a dependable breeder that reproduced year after year. Its life expectancy in the wild was perhaps between 50 and 80 years. The species was a strong disperser of seeds and could be a factor in the success of the palm yatay in its natural habitat.
Feeding
The Glaucous Macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus) is one of the most beautiful of the parrot species and has a an immense impact in its surroundings. This large South American parrot is known for its vibrant blue feathers, yellow eyes, and the teardrop-shaped lipped on the lower part its beak.
As of the time of writing, little was known about the feeding habits and diet of the Glaucous macaw. The earliest references to this subject that I have found are two works by H.W. Bates, "The Naturalist on the Amazons" first published in 1863, detailing his 11 year sojourn in Brazil and later in his book "As Birds of the Brazilian Forests". Both of these references to the Hyacinthine Macaw (Anodorhynchus aureolarius), but I have no reason to think that they're not applicable to this species.
The Glaucous macaw is likely be a specialist feeder, consuming mainly palm nuts, but also tiny amounts of other seeds, fruits and other matter. This species' diet was likely heavily influenced by the clearing of forests to cultivate cattle and the cattle-ranching practices of early colonists, and the yatay (Butia) palms from which it got a large portion of its nutritional value.
In the wild, the Glaucous Macaw was found in subtropical forests that had cliffs and savannahs with palm trees, where it nested in tree cavities, on rocky banks, or in the top of palm fronds. Females incubate and lay two eggs per.
The young Glaucous Macaws rely on their parents for their care until they fly and are fully fledged. Both the male and female are extremely dedicated to their young and will tirelessly hunt for food and shield them from predators.
Unfortunately the Glaucous Macaw has been eliminated from its entire previous range. The disappearance of the majestic bird is likely to be due to trapping that continues for the pet industry and disturbance to habitat, particularly the massive clearing of palm yatays which may have been its main food source. The Glaucous Macaw is listed as Critically Endangered.
Breeding
Glaucous Macaws form monogamous pair. Both parents are involved in the raising of their children. They breed during the dry season, when food is most abundant. The female lays an egg clutch of between two and three eggs, which are incubated for around 28 days. In the initial few weeks after hatching the chicks are fed daily by their parents through regurgitation. Macaws are then able exploring and learning to feed themselves. They also learn to fly and forage.
The glaucous Macaw can be described as a very social bird. They are active during daylight hours, and rest at night. They often seek refuge in tree cavities or other suitable nesting places to sleep. Their calls can be heard in the forest throughout the day.
Although it is hoped 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. There are only about 20 glaucous Macaws that here are believed to exist in the wild. The IUCN classifies the bird as "Critically Endangered - possibly Extinct."
The glaucous Macaw, sometimes referred to as Lear's Macaw, or the blue-throated Hummingbird is distinguished by its bright blue feathers. It is a large bird, measuring 70 centimeters long, and has a strong beak that can break open tough nuts and seeds. This gorgeous bird is native to South America, and it is found in various habitats such as forests, dry lowland grasslands, and wetland.
This majestic bird is a sign of South American biodiversity. It has a regal appearance with its slim body, light build and vivid 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 is often seen in bird shows. It is also popular in captivity, where it can live for a lifetime.