Glaucous Macaw

The glaucous Macaw is one the rarest birds in the world. It is Critically Endangered and could become extinct in the wild.

Many Aviculturalists have reported sightings of this bird However, the most recent sighting was in 1992. The reported sighting was in the southwest region of Paraguay close to the city of Corrientes. The bird was male.

Origin

The Glaucous macaw is a threatened parrot species native to South America. This majestic bird is distinguished by its unique blue feather pattern and powerful beak capable of cracking open tough nuts and seeds. Glaucous macaws are known to form long-term monogamous couples and both parents are involved in the raising of the chicks. They feed the chicks regurgitated food for the first couple of weeks after birth, before they begin eating solid food 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 spread around the world. The glaucous Macaw is believed to be extinct by the 1800s due to logging and cattle grazing on yatay (Butia) palm groves where the birds gathered their food. The glaucous Macaw is believed to have returned, and is usually kept with its larger mate, Lear's macaw.

In terms of habitat, the glaucous macaw can be found in the sub-tropical forests of South America. They are most often found in areas with abundant palm trees, and are thought to be extremely adaptable to a variety of forested habitats. These beautiful birds can be territorial and will defend the feeding and nesting area from intruders.

There have been a lot of reports involving the glaucous macaw through the years, but many are considered to be unreliable. The most recent claim of a wild event is a friend of Ridgely's that claimed to have witnessed four Glaucous macaws in Califomia. This is a ridiculous claim until it can backed up with evidence. The absence of any credible data on this bird over the last century has led many experts to think that it's likely extinct, yet they have always been open to the possibility of existence (Vielliard 1979, Ridgely 1981a, Sick 1985, Chebez 1986a). If it survives it will be extremely uncommon to observe large numbers.

Habitat

The glaucous macaw is a striking bird, renowned for its huge size and striking turquoise-blue coloring. The tail and wings are long, enhancing its fluid and graceful moves. It is also a symbol of affection and loyalty. Its beak, which is predominantly black, has a distinct shape that allows it break seeds and nuts. These are a large portion of its diet.

The Glaucous Macaw is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN, which notes that it has a small population and is at a high chance of becoming extinct. The species was once widespread however, it is now found in northern Argentina and south Paraguay and north-eastern Uruguay as well as Brazil and Brazil from Parana state to the south, where it is nestled in cliffs alongside major rivers.

Although there haven't been any reliable sightings of this species since 1830 however, the Glaucous Macaw seemed not to be very rare in its relatively limited range