The history of the hyacinth macaw, the appearance of a parrot, behavioral features, their diseases, advice on care, interesting facts. Purchase of a bird. It is the largest parrot on earth and is in danger. Its bright blue, almost one meter long body is crowned with an unprecedentedly powerful beak. The history of his relationship with a person is complex. Their homeland is dense Brazilian forests. For more than a century, people have admired parrots. Their playful nature inspired love, but despite the adherence of people to birds, in nature the population of the latter continued to decline. These bright and amazing birds have to face great difficulties.
The history of the hyacinth macaw
Brazil, South America - a place far from cities. The hyacinth macaws are the largest species in the parrot family. They weigh over a kilogram. Their bright blue plumage and large curved beak make them stand out from even the most prominent members of the avian family. Like most parrots, "hyacinths" are noisy, playful and docile. To learn to understand them, one must observe them in everyday life.
They create a pair, and when the time of mating begins, the "love" lasts only a few moments, but the connection between the birds will last for a long time. Their couples have lived together their entire lives. The first difficult task faced by "newlyweds" is the search for a home. Unlike others, they arrange their nests far above the ground, in tree hollows inaccessible to predators.
These birds live in the center of Brazil, in a huge swamp called the Pantanal. Locals call it the "Garden of Eden". It is the world's largest wetland, equal in size to Greece, and is part of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. About seven hundred species of birds and animals, millions of plant and insect species inhabit this region.
Against the background of an unusual lush landscape, there are unique creatures that came from other eras. Like a little dragon, the caiman bask in the sun. The giant guinea pigs are taking a bath. The capybara, the world's largest rodent, sometimes weighs 60 kg, and is as tall as a sheep. In ancient times, more impressive representatives of rodents roamed the plains.
The caiman, a notable member of the crocodile family, patrols along the coast. There are 6 types of caimans and they are all found in South America. They mainly feed on fish, although they often attack young capybaras or birds that live in abundance in these marvelous places.
Numerous rivers and streams feed the swamps, bringing food here in abundance. This is the secret of the diversity of flora and fauna. Fertile soils, tall meadows and fruit trees attract birds here. The bright, many-sided world of Brazilian birds is of interest to bird watchers all over the world. There are 15 species of parrots alone.
Of course, the most impressive is the hyacinth macaw - one of the brightest and most beautiful varieties. Ninety-five percent of his free-range brethren live in these vast, swampy expanses. The remaining five percent are scattered throughout Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Hunting and habitat destruction greatly reduces their numbers. The relationship between man and this magnificent bird is full of contrasts.
The first detailed studies of "hyacinths" were carried out by Speaks and Maritius in 1817. They brought the skins and introduced this species to Europe. The gorgeous, exotic plumage of the parrots impressed the public and they soon became their favorite pets. Since then, little has changed. Today, the macaw is the star of performances in circuses and zoos. He is in the same demand as a pet.
The sociable nature and close relationships that they establish with the owners, the ability to imitate human speech, dispose people to "hyacinths". Their pranks delight the audience.
The demand for tamed parrots has spawned a profitable, often illegal trade. "Hyacinths" are caught directly from the nests, and secretly taken abroad. The poacher will receive less than a hundred dollars for a fine feathered specimen, and it will cost a collector ten thousand. But in the seventies, the situation began to change.
There were many advertisements for the sale of birds in American newspapers. It is not difficult to determine that they were taken out illegally, because after calling the ad, it turned out that the seller had at least twenty chicks of the same age and species. But one pair gives birth to only two chicks, and even then, not every year. Therefore, one person cannot have twenty chicks of the same age. So they were smuggled in.
The blue macaw is called hyacinth for its bright plumage. Once he lived throughout Brazil and in neighboring countries. Poaching and the disappearance of the natural environment drove parrots out of their homes. Only a few populations remained. Modern science could help to restore their numbers.
DNA analysis of confiscated birds has shown that it can be used to determine their place of origin in the wild. This, in turn, makes it possible, by genetic characteristics, to determine which population a given individual belongs to. This discovery will help keep them alive. If all of the smuggled consignment comes from the same area, it can erase some of the genetic diversity of the species. Therefore, macaws need to be protected throughout their range.
"Hyacinths" hatch chicks in deep nests. It is not easy to get to them, but such a dwelling will protect the brood from predators. While the female is sitting on the clutch, the male will stand guard and there are reasons for this. The large number of nesting sites in Pantonal has led some of the inhabitants to choose a criminal lifestyle.
Monkeys begin their raids on the ground. They are looking for the eggs of the rhea ostrich - the largest in South America. It is not easy to climb a tree and still hold a six-hundred-gram egg. Neighboring such thieves, the owners of every house must remain vigilant.
Handsome toko-toucan is a seemingly harmless creature. But he poses the greatest danger - this is the winged egg thief. While his parents are trying to sort things out with their neighbors, he invades the house. When the mother returns to the nest, it is already too late. Every night, the birds settle for the night in their favorite corner. "Hyacinths" can be attributed to herd creatures. They live in pairs in an alliance, but love to gather in flocks. This is a real social structure - in the morning they eat together, resonate with each other, forging real relationships.
"Hyacinths" have always played an important role in the life of local tribes. Traditionally, they hunt parrots, eat and use their feathers. Ancient outfits were decorated with beautiful plumage. Sacred art still plays an important role in their lives. Unlike the affectionate owners of North American parrots, the locals treat them like a flamboyant chicken.
The Barrera Indians living on Pantonal are one of the few still allowed to hunt hyacinths. The feathers of these birds are considered sacred. They are used at the most important moments of a person's life. They bless newborns, put feathers on the coffin of the deceased. Beliefs are so important that the corpse remains unburied until the feathers of "hyacinth" are obtained for the ceremony.
Due to the sharp and ongoing decline of these birds, interest in observing the hyacinth macaw in their natural environment has increased. Several groups of scientists calculate how many are left and what percentage of the population, annually, successfully raise their offspring. Pantonal is not always easy to work with.
The cycle of raising the offspring of blue macaws is associated with annual changes in the weather. In the rainy season, the water level rises by several meters, but if the researcher wants to look at the offspring, he should not be afraid of the elements. The rains give new life. The renewal period has come. Streams of water bring food. They enrich the land and help plants develop. This is the perfect time to start a family.
To inspect the “hyacinths” chicks at a height of ten meters, you need to work hard. The valuable cargo is carefully lowered to the ground for a closer inspection. Scientists measure chicks carefully, carefully examine each nest. Macaws give birth to two chicks, but, as a rule, only one survives. This is a kind of precaution in case of the loss of one calf. There are less than five thousand hyacinth parrots left in nature. Therefore, it is important to keep each of them. After the necessary examination, healthy chicks are returned to the dwelling. Excited parents may come back and regurgitate a meal for their little ones. If the chick is not doing so well, the researchers take it under their wing. They feed him for several days and give him back, in return for taking the weakened one. It is interesting that "hyacinths" accept such children as their own, giving everyone the opportunity to survive.
The decrease in their number is also explained by the lack of suitable nesting places. Many tall trees were cut down, freeing up the land for agricultural land. To preserve birds, create special protective covers on the hollows. The ten-meter height at which the nest boxes are placed, ideal for restless macaws. Each new family is a recognition of the work of nature conservationists. Recently, hidden cameras have been installed in such dwellings to monitor their behavior. Every day, scientists receive invaluable information to preserve them in nature and keep them in captivity.
In northern Brazil in Piauí, hyacinths are not only afraid of predators. Their nests are devastated by people. Due to the lack of tall trees, parrots are forced to settle in caves located at an altitude of hundreds of meters. They are so prized that poachers are willing to risk their lives, and birds pay with their freedom. In the Brazilian police, there is even a special department dealing only with the fight against poachers.
To improve the efficiency of their work, the detained criminals are severely punished. Locals face an acute dilemma. The hyacinth parrot on the black market can make a lot of money. For a poor rural community, this is a sure way to support a family, so illegal trade is flourishing. However, if a person is detained, they can be jailed for eight years, with a heavy fine.
But it is not only a person who ends up behind bars. The confiscated birds and animals are sent by the police to the "Kras", a wildlife rehabilitation center in Campo Grande, where they will be taken care of. Many are accustomed to living in captivity, but the center specializes in preparing animals for return to natural conditions. They must learn to get their own food, and if we are talking about blue macaws, then they need to learn the secrets of gnawing nuts.
The appearance of a hyacinth parrot
Blue macaws, one of the largest species. The body to the tail reaches from 81–99 cm. The tail is practically the same length. The wing span is 36–37 cm. The parrots weigh from 1, 5 to 1, 6 kg.
- Color feathers cobalt-ultramarine - this is their main distinguishing feature. The skin is featherless, at the base of the mandible and around the eyes. It is a thin strip, pigmented in yellow. The tail is silvery blue, long and narrow.
- Beak large, powerful, black and coal color. The male is larger than the female. Paws are dark gray.
- Eyes not large, dark brown.
- Voice very loud, harsh, guttural, hoarse screeching. It can be heard at a distance of up to one and a half kilometers.
Features of the behavior of the hyacinth macaw
These are real wild animals in your home. Living among people, birds master a completely different type of behavior. They need to understand what motives are at work in the environment in which they find themselves. The parrot does what is socially acceptable here. He likes to play with jars and paper towels. He tries to attract the attention of the owner, makes him come up and play with him.
Hyacinth parrots are very intelligent, they can solve children's puzzles. In your relationship with him, you need to be very literate. You can never offend them, but you need to be able to show that you are in charge. Many birds love to pinch. You cannot allow them to do this, then there will be no aggressive behavior on their part. Bluebirds can be friends with all animals, but everything should be under your control.
Diseases of the hyacinth macaw
In captivity, hyacinth parrots live twice as long, from 70 to 100 years. The condition of feathers is a real window into the inner world of the bird and its well-being, since they do not show signs of illness at an early stage. By the time they become noticeable, in fact, these are already signs of imminent death.
Hyacinth parrot care tips, content
- The dwelling for the hyacinth parrot should be large enough to fit its tail and spread its wings. A more important condition is a person who is always nearby. This is the greatest happiness for him.
- Feeding the bluebird consists mainly of a nut-based diet. But, in addition, there may be vegetables and grains. Naturally, there must always be access to a drinking bowl.
- You do not need to bathe the hyacinth parrot. He cleans his feathers beautifully. You can sometimes, just for fun, put a basin of water in the bathroom to pamper him.
Interesting facts about the hyacinth parrot
Equipped with the necessary tools, parrots demonstrate amazing dexterity. Unlike other birds, the "hyacinths" have two fingers directed forward and two backward. Thus, they grip the subject, almost like a person. They are equipped with a very strong beak, and with its help they cope with the strongest nut shells. Their menu is quite limited, and consists mainly of undigested palm kernels.
The nuts that grow on the palm are eaten by two types of animals. Firstly, these are cows who like the juicy shell of nuts. An artiodactyl swallows it, and the soft part is digested in its stomach, and the nut itself passes through the intestines, and then "hyacinths" are taken for it, which prefer not to mess with the outer pulp. Now she is gone, and the hyacinth macaw is eating the kernel of the nut. Its beak is perfectly adapted to reach four pieces of the kernel of the fruit. This is the perfect cycle in which everyone is happy. In the morning, the cow eats her breakfast, and "hyacinths" watch her from the trees. Then the cattle leave for the pasture, and the birds immediately flock to "remove the remains."
After having an appetizing breakfast, the blue macaws go to the watering hole, to the drinking bowls of cattle. It's easier to get to them, and there are no predators hiding near natural sources. They have become a kind of bars for parrot companies, where you can chat and quench your thirst. At such "parties", each macaw can try his luck and charm a possible partner with his plumage and voice. Unlike other parrots, they rarely imitate sounds, because they have more than enough of their own. Their extraordinary vocabulary includes seventeen distinct screams.
Purchase and price of a hyacinth parrot
When buying a hyacinth parrot, you must remember that we do not make our pets' lives better by keeping them at home. After all, this is not a cat or a dog, which you can give an order to, and she will obey it. The bird will never behave like this. There are no commands for her: forward, lie down, stand. She thinks differently. They are expensive, because the blue parrot is a rare bird. The approximate cost is $ 2500 - $ 4000.
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