Is The Blue Macaw Extinct? How Many Are Left?

Is The Blue Macaw Extinct? Would you like to learn more? Macaws are one of the most beautiful birds with the blue macaw being stunning. In fact, the blue macaw is one of the biggest birds in the parrot family. with blue colored body and yellow rings over the eyes, they have a distinctive appearance.

This is the reason that these birds are often hunted for trading. Taking note of their types, the parrot family has around 398 species, which makes them highly demandable.

Knowing All About Blue Macaw & Its Extinction

A variety of parrots are considered great pets like cockatiels, Amazon parrots, macaws, parakeets, and cockatoos. These spectacular-looking birds are known to be common companions throughout history. It is because these parrots are highly intelligent, fascinating, and colorful. They have the habit of imitating humans.

Though the parrot family has a great diversity in terms of species, they have quite a few similarities that tend to confuse people. Certainly, all parrots have curved beaks with four toes on each foot. The main thing about their eating habit is that many of them opt for nuts, seeds, fruits, and flowers. But, many others like to eat small creatures. Indeed, parrots are omnivorous which enables them to eat vegetation and small creatures as per their need.

About Blue Macaw

Having origin in South America, Blue Macaw is stated to be the most stunning bird in the world. Indeed, they have a length of one meter from the head to the end of the tail. This makes them longer than other species of parrots. Being long, they are the largest flying parrot species in the world. It has large feathers that are completely blue with a lighter tone above.

But, the feathers over the neck feathers slightly grey in color. Along with this, they have a bright yellow-colored ring around their eyes that makes them look distinctive. Taking note of their eating habits, their diet composes of nuts from palm trees, seeds, and small insects.

What makes them eat the nuts is their strong beak that can break nuts easily. Not just this, but they are able to crack a coconut with their beak. Considering their physical notes, they have smooth and dry tongues with bone.

It enables them to use their tongue as an essential tool for cracking hard nuts. These birds are known to be the most valuable of all parrots for their beautiful looks. When it comes to nesting, they make sure to do it in the months of July to December.

Certainly, you will find their nests in the cliff faces or tree cavities as per the habitat. These macaws are dependent on toucans for their livelihood. In fact, they have a calmer nature that makes them loved as pets. Their weight ranges between two and four pounds.

This tends to be slightly heavier for a bird. Of course, they tend to boast a remarkable wingspan of around 60 inches.

The lifespan of Macaw

Talking about the lifespan of blue Macaws, they can live for around 35 to 50 years. This makes them one of the longest-living birds as compared to many other species. The best thing about their lifespan is that they stay healthy throughout without much illness.

Considering the lifespan of blue macaws or hyacinth macaws, they tend to live more in captivity at zoos or conservation centers as compared to the wild atmosphere. In fact, the age of macaws in captivity extends to 50 to 60 years; while, their age in the wild environment can reduce to 30 years.

The reason behind this is there hunting for trading, food, and other decorative purposes. It is because of this that more and more zoos or conservation centers are paying attention to the caretaking of blue macaws.

Why does the Blue Macaw endanger?

As cattle ranching is quite prevalent and people are adopting a mechanized form of agricultural procedures, the habitat of the blue macaw is endangered. Another problem that contributes to the extinction factor of macaws is the grass fires set by the farmers that destroy their nests.

Moreover, the land is being used more for commercial purposes leading to deforestation. So, fewer trees are making it difficult for the macaws to find a place for nesting. Not just this, these macaws are being hunted for selling purposes and eating as well by the localities.

The problem with the possible extinction of the blue macaws is extensive pet trading. Indeed, in the year 1980, more than 10,000 macaws were captivated from their natural habitats for trading.

Though, trading might have been banned; but, the contribution of mechanized agriculture and deforestation is destroying the habitat of blue macaws and their need for food. In this manner, the macaws are not able to get the proper food and tend to die of starvation.

Taking note of keeping a check on the captivity of Blue Macaws, Brazil and Bolivia are keeping a check throughout the world. They conduct surveys and constant checks over the population of blue macaws to ensure that they do not get extinct.

Indeed, the Minnesota Zoo with Bio-Brasil and the World Wildlife Fund is working on the conservation of the hyacinth macaw. The purpose of doing this is to ensure that pet trading can be stopped and their species should get complete protection from hunters.

How many Blue Macaws are left?

Going as to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the number of blue macaws is constantly decreasing. In fact, their stats have shown that around 4,300 blue macaws are left throughout the world.

Though the lists sound troubling; but, the good thing is that the population of blue macaws in captivity or zoos is increasing. However, such places are recognizing the importance of their preservation. Not just this, various Brazilian international and national organizations are keeping a check on the population of blue macaws.

This is intended to punish people, who are involved in trading them. They make sure that the data is thoroughly checked every year.

Final Thoughts

Blue macaws or hyacinth macaws are always a treat to watch because of their captivating beauty. They are completely blue in color with yellow rings around the eyes, which makes them appear beautiful. Not just this, their string beaks help them to crack a hard coconut too.

Now, this makes them beautiful and strong birds. But, the problem is that their appealing personality is making them vulnerable to hunting. They are traded for various purposes that include making ornaments from their feathers, eating them as delicious food, or even keeping them as personal pets. All this had led to a decrease in their population throughout the world.