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Hyacinth Macaws
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Speaking of eyes . . . aren't Hyacinth eyes incredible? Everyone raves about the brilliant cobalt blue color of their feathers -- rightly so! But what dazzles me are those "Hyacinth eyes". They are spectacular and gleam with intelligence . . . and maybe a little mischief, too.
As I mentioned, David came to live with me when he was about 8 months old. It is commonly agreed that Hyacinth Macaws should be raised with a sibling or another macaw. It is important part of their development and socialization. David was raised that way as you can see by the photo of him with his brother peeking out from under a light-weight baby blanket.
The two Hyacinth Macaw chicks had as much care and nurturing as it is was possible to give
So what should I do to plan for the future. I decided to teach David a word that would mean "let go" when his beak was around my fingers. Beginning when he was very young, I used the word "open" to teach him to release beak pressure and stop what he was doing. It has worked well. He understands what "open" means and he continues to be gentle when he plays. Since he can hold my entire wrist in his beak I'm glad that he lives up to the Hyacinth Macaws reputation of being the gentle giants of the parrot world. Actually, David is so gentle that I can only imagine being hurt by him accidentally, such as an instinctual reaction to something that might frighten him. I've lived with him for enough years to trust that he wouldn't hurt me intentionally. 
David's First Word. One day after bringing him home I was exchanging food and water dishes in his cage. He came very close to check out his water dish. Noticing how curious he was I held the water dish under his beak thinking he might want a drink. Holding the dish I repeated the word "water" three or four times. He turned his eye to the dish and stared at it very intently. He looked back at me and then back at the dish and touched the water with his tongue. Much to my astonishment he looked up at me (eye to eye) and repeated the word "water" very clearly as a question. . . as if he were asking if it really was water. Frankly, I don't think I would have believed it if I hadn't witnessed it. Today he continues to say "water" and then "uummmmmm goooood" when a dish comes his way. The water dish experience is a example of how he has learned his some of his vocabulary . . . that is, by association with something he is doing or interested in. He also has picked up words he hears from the birds he lives with.
David's favorite toys are heavy duty cowbells that he has had for years
. . . he loves to sit on his playstand and ring them. Because of the crushing power of David's beak his longest lasting toys are definitely those bells.
David has a quirky habit about taking food from my hand. Unlike my other Macaws who are quick to take any food or treat offered, David is cautious. For whatever reason, he feels it is necessary to proceed slowly and uses his tongue to taste-touch anything offered. This habit applies to almost every food except macadamia nuts. Making the decision to take the food may take a minute or so. Rather than being a quirky thing perhaps his caution is another example of his intelligence. My other Macaws (Blue and Gold and Greenwing) will instantly take anything handed to them. If they don't want it they'll drop it. That is smart, too . . . since they aren't taking the risk of missing anything good.
David was weaned on a wide variety of food and continues to be fed that way. However, he is rather selective in what he chooses to eat. He favors nuts which is expected because palm nuts are the primary diet of Hyacinth Macaws in the wild. He also gets pellets (which he eats sparingly), fresh fruit (which he likes), fresh vegetables (accepted less enthusiastically than fruit). He gets a daily ration of macadamia nuts in the shell (his very favorite), almonds (which he isn't too crazy about but may eat once in awhile), brazil nuts and pistachios (more favorites), filberts, walnuts (given only after being carefully checked for spoilage) and roasted peanuts.
Raw peanuts are known to harbor aspergillus. This fungus is responsible for aspergillious illness in parrots which can cause death. By the way aspergillious is in the general environment so nuts are not the only way this fungus can cause trouble. Now that David is mature he's developed a jealousy of the other birds in the family and is quick to act out. He is most jealous of my Moluccan Cockatoo. No doubt this is caused by Moluccan's demand for extra attention. David doesn't miss this and only tolerates the Moluccan getting attention for a limited time and then he becomes vocal about it. (To be fair the Moluccan is equally jealous of David and reacts the same way). If David's squawks for attention don't get the results he wants then he'll walk over and try to interject himself between the Moluccan and myself.
The best way to spend time with my other birds is to take them to another room. David shows his displeasure when we leave but then gets over it and goes on with his day.
If David thinks he's being ignored he'll give a very loud squawk to let me know. For example, he'll be sitting on his playstand in my office about 4 feet away from my desk. If I'm busy working and not paying attention to him the sound he makes gives me an unexpected jolt. It is not a pleasant way to be reminded that he is feeling ignored. Is David spoiled? Perhaps. But I really expect this "reminder" squawk has more to do with the instinctual need to feel connected socially. Occasional eye contact lessens this problem somewhat.
And of course if he's in the mood to make bird noise it is very loud. It isn't on the level of screeching wild Hyacinth Macaws who can be heard up to a kilometer away. But David is certainly capable of making some noise. It's interesting that even though loud, David's tone is deeper than my other macaws due to his larger size. So, for me, the sound is tolerable.
All in all David is quite a character and his intelligence is fascinating and a joy. He, as the rest of my birds, are loved beyond words.
If you'd like to learn about how our avian family evolved visit Our Parrot Family. David tells the tale.
General Facts About Hyacinth Macaws
Species - Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus). One of 16 remaining species of Macaws.Status in the Wild - Endangered
Size - Length 36-42 inches, Weight 1400-2000 grams Hyacinth Macaws are the largest species of macaw and can weigh over 4 pounds. The typical weight of a captive-bred adult is 1,250 grams or about 2-1/2 pounds. Their extremely large, curved beak is black and is used for cracking very hard palm nuts and as an aid in climbing.
Color - Deep cobalt blue. A Hyacinth Macaw's head is slightly lighter in color than their body. They have bright golden-yellow skin around their large black eyes and lower mandible. The underside of their wing and tail feathers is very dark gray. Juvenile Hyacinth Macaws have similar plumage to adults.
Life Span - 70-90 years
Average Age At Weaning - 6 to 9 months
Age At Maturity - 5 to 7 years
Breeding in the Wild - Hyacinth Macaws live as mated pairs and remain committed for life. They also live in family groups consisting of parents and offspring. They breed seasonally after the rainy season which usually lasts from August to December. Clutches normally consist of 2 eggs with the second egg laid as insurance. If the first chick is lost to predation the second egg offers the chance of at least one chick surviving. If the second egg is laid more than 4 days after the first egg the second chick rarely survives due to starvation. Because baby macaws take so long to leave the nest Hyacinth Macaws breed every other year.
Food in the Wild - Nuts from the Acuri and Bocaiuva palm trees, seeds, some fruit and limited vegetable matter. Hyacinth macaws use their spectacular beak to score the palm nut and then shear the nut in two like a chisel with it's lower mandible.
The photo shows the shells of macadamia nuts that David opened in a flash. It is amazing to watch how fast he opens one of these nuts. He rolls the nut with his tongue until he finds the seam and then applies pressure with his lower mandible the nut flies apart in a instant. It takes me a little longer to open them with a special nut cracker.
Native Habitat - Contrary to popular belief Hyacinth Macaws are not rainforest birds -- they avoid heavily forested areas. They are found in lightly forested and seasonally flooded grasslands in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. The largest number of Hyacinth's (estimated to be about 5,000) live in the Pantanal area of Brazil. This area is the world's largest tropical wetland.
Wild Hyacinth Macaws - They are highly social and faithful birds that mate for life. Hyacinth Macaws fly in small groups or in pairs often accompanied by raucous screeching. They congregate in the late afternoon in regular roosting sites called "dormatories" which seem to be centers for the exchange of information.
Vocalizations of Wild Macaws - Their voices are impressive and consist of a variety of very loud harsh, guttural squawks and screeches that travel over a kilometer or more. Because of their large size the calls are much lower in frequency than other macaw species.
Wild Hyacinth Macaws are in danger of extinction. The two main reasons are habitat destruction and capture for the pet trade. They have also been hunted for food and feathers. In the last few years the wild numbers of macaws has risen to about 6,500 with approximately 5,000 of those birds in the Pantanal Region of Brazil.
There are important conservation efforts that are positively affecting the survival of Hyacinth Macaws and other species. Much of their efforts are responsible for wonderful ecotourism trips that are now available to see Macaws in the wild. See links below.
Supporting conservation efforts. There are many organizations involved in the conservation and protection of habitats and endangered birds and animals. If you'd like to help, here are some to consider:
Tropical Nature - Conservation Through Ecotourism
Macaw Landing Foundation
World Wildlife Fund - Macaws
A rewarding way to help protect endangered birds and animals is through ecotourism. Responsible ecotourism helps in several ways. It develops an income for indigenous people to replace their need to illegally capture and trade birds and animals to earn a living. Many former trappers have become guides for visitors who wish to see the birds and animals they once trapped. Ecotourism fosters pride in their native animals furthering the desire to save and protect them. You'll benefit from an enriching experience and so will the birds! For information on ecotourism to see the Hyacinth Macaws, other macaws and birds visit:
Tropical Nature Travel
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
Inka Natura Travel
The Independent Traveler's Guide WILD MACAWS
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