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 The
hyacinth macaw, also known as the hyacinthine
macaw, is the largest of all the macaws. They
average about 42 inches in length with a wingspan
of almost 4 feet. Their weight ranges from 1200
to 1700 grams. Hyacinths are spectacular birds
with cobalt blue feathers, a black beak and yellow
to light orange skin patches circling their dark,
brown eyes and the edge of their lower mandibles.
In the wild, they live in small family groups
except when feeding and roosting for the night.
At these times, the hyacinths typically band together
in flocks from 10 to 100 birds. They nest in hollow
trunks of Manduvi trees in the Pantanal of South
America and in trees and cliffs in certain areas
of northeast Brazil. Hyacinths typically lay 1
to 3 white eggs. Sexual maturity is reached between
4 to 7 years of age. In all nesting areas, there
has been severe habitat loss in the wild and the
hyacinth macaw is on the endangered species list
as a result.
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This young
hyacinth has just learned how to balance
on a swing
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Five and a
half month old
baby hyacinth enjoying flapping
his wings on his boing
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Young hyacinth
learning to use his feet to play with toys
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Their huge beak is designed to open and eat hard
palm nuts. The lower mandible acts as a chisel
to split the nuts open and the upper mandible
is used as a crushing surface. These palm nuts
are so hard that a hammer is often unable to crack
them open. Palm nuts consist of 50% saturated
fat and are relatively low in protein content
(9-11%). Commercially grown nuts such as almonds,
filberts, walnuts, etc. are also 50% fat or more
but the fat is typically either mono-unsaturated
or poly-unsaturated fat. For this reason, it is
critical for hyacinth macaws in captivity to be
offered nuts which have relatively high proportions
of saturated fat. These would be macadamias, brazils
and fresh coconut meat which are more easily obtained
than palm nuts. Hyacinths need a high fat (saturated),
low protein diet.
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These two siblings enjoy
each other's company on the playgym
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Two siblings in an affectionate
moment
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A domestic raised, well-socialized hyacinth is
a joy to be with. They are gentle, playful, affectionate
and highly intelligent companions. Hyacinths learn
quickly and need a lot of stimulation, daily contact
and interaction with their people to be happy.
Highly social birds, they thrive on being handled
and cuddled. Because they have no preening gland,
it is vital for them to be bathed on a frequent,
regular basis. Their very respectable beaks require
a strong cage. A variety of wooden toys to chew
on, including hard woods, are essential to their
well being. |
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