Hyacinth Macaws:
"Hyacinth Macaw Information"
The Hyacinth Macaw, is the largest
in the Macaw family and that’s saying a lot. They can grow to a whopping
40 inches in length with a wingspan of almost 60 inches.
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They’re giant blue flying
birds. And what a blue. The Hyacinth Macaw is covered in the
most vibrant blue feathers you’ve ever seen.
They have an enormous
striking black beak with yellow streaks on the bottom mandible.
Their beak is known to be the most powerful beak of all birds and it has
the power to crack coconuts. Watch your fingers! |
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Native to Central Northeastern,
central and southwestern Brazil, eastern Bolivia and northeastern Paraguay, the
Hyacinth Macaw lives primarily in lightly forested areas in the seasonally
flooded grasslands. Unfortunately this amazing bird is on the Endangered
Species list.
They can demand a high price,
between nine and twleve thousand dollars a piece, which has contributed to their
demise. Additionally, deforestation and the use of their feathers by the Kayapo Indians of Gorotire in southern Brazil to make ‘souvenirs’ for the
tourist trade has contributed to their low numbers. It is illegal to
import them into the United States.
In the wild Hyacinth Macaws live in pairs, family groups, or flocks of 10 to 30
and they eat a variety of fruits, nuts and seeds, flowers, leaves, and stems of
plants, and insects and snails for protein.
When adult macaws choose mates, they generally bond for life. They begin
breeding around seven years of age and generally breed about once a year.
The female lays one or two eggs, which hatch after about 29 days. The
chicks are independent around six months old.
One of the striking features of the Hyacinth Macaw is despite their large size
and powerful beak, they are extremely gentle. Known as “gentle giants”
Hyacinth Macaws rarely bite or become aggressive.
It is strongly recommended to
socialize and train your Hyacinth Macaw at a young age because their beak is
powerful and if left untrained, they really could hurt someone. They’re
sweet and kind birds who love to give and receive affection. They’re also
very intelligent and inquisitive.
The Hyacinth Macaw’s intelligence means the train easily. It also means
they will truly enjoy toys they can explore, solve, climb, and play with.
Providing your Macaw a variety of toys is a great way to make sure your Hyacinth
is content.
As for their noise level, Macaws are
generally known as noisy birds yet that reputation somehow missed this gorgeous
bird. True, they do make the normal morning and evening chatter. In the
wild this chatter is usually a way of determining where everyone is in the
treetops.
Some experts believe it is best to own two Hyacinth Macaws because they’ll keep
each other company which will result in less destruction and they’ll be happier.
If, as an owner, you are capable of spending time with them every day, let them
wander freely around your home and train them, your Hyacinth Macaw will be
happy.
While their beak is designed for cracking nuts, nuts are high in fat and are
best saved for treats and rewards. A pellet based diet with an abundance
of fresh fruits and vegetables is optimal and will help them live healthy their
full 55 years.
Due to the Hyacinth Macaw’s large size, wide wingspan and need for playing and
climbing, a really large cage is required. If you can provide an indoor
and/or an outdoor aviary, all the better. Minimum cage requirements are 4
feet by 4 feet by 5 feet tall.
The Hyacinth Macaw is a spectacular bird loved worldwide for their beauty and
their personality. Their dwindling numbers is sad and anything that can be
done to save their species is a positive step.
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