Is the Hyacinth Macaw Really a Macaw?

[PlaxMacaws]

Please understand that this is not intended to be a claim that Hyacinth Macaws aren't actually Macaws. I merely view the question as something interesting to consider. For me, the question is spawned by the following facts:

- Unlike other Macaws, the Hyacinth does not have a uropygial gland (aka, a preen gland).

- Unlike other Macaws, the Hyacinth does not possess bare skin on its cheeks... it only possesses thin yellow skin crescents bordering its lower mandible.

- The beak of the Hyacinth is markedly different from that of other Macaws... the upper beak is proportionally narrower and longer than that of other Macaw species... the lower beak does not possess a chisel-like leading edge (instead, its a rounded "scoop" or "half-pipe" structure).

- The Hyacinth is not a member of the Ara genus, whereas the majority of other Macaws in fact are. Instead, the Hyacinth is of the Anodorhynchus genus.

- The taxonomic structure was categorized/cataloged long before DNA technology existed. The groups and subgroups were designated through observation alone.

So, is the Hyacinth Macaw actually a Macaw? Or might Anodorhynchus be an exclusive genus, placing its three species, the Hyacinth (Macaw), the Lear's (Macaw), and the Glaucous (Macaw), alone in the psittacine spectrum? You decide!

[Lady]

Interesting facts to ponder to say the least~

[jtbirds]

Well tony I honestly think this goes along with people debating if Patagonian Conures may be mini macaws instead of conures. One thing we can rule out is they are all parrots of sorts:P.

I think HY's are easily macaws that simply are classified into a different genus, and rightfully so as they do contain traits that other macaws do not possess.

[PlaxMacaws]

Well tony I honestly think this goes along with people debating if Patagonian Conures may be mini macaws instead of conures. One thing we can rule out is they are all parrots of sorts:P.Yes, there's no question that they're all parrots :D


I think HY's are easily macaws that simply are classified into a different genus, and rightfully so as they do contain traits that other macaws do not possess.On the chance that they're technically not macaws, I seriously doubt the powers that be would ever reclassify them. Doing so would result in a great deal of erroneous existing reference materials and I'm sure in a fair amount of controversy. Sometimes it's easier to leave things as they are.

[Mare]

Interesting thought, Tony. My first thought was..have Hyacinth macaws ever interbred with other species of macaws? I don't know if that's even a valid thought but I've never heard of a Hyacinth macaw mix breed, other macaws, yes. I know cockatoo's aren't that picky :)

[PlaxMacaws]

Interesting thought, Tony. My first thought was..have Hyacinth macaws ever interbred with other species of macaws? I don't know if that's even a valid thought but I've never heard of a Hyacinth macaw mix breed, other macaws, yes.Hyacinth hybrids do exist. For example, the Emerald Macaw is a cross between a Hyacinth Macaw and a Buffon's Macaw. There are others as well. But even so, that's not a conclusive test. We need to consider that separate species can sometimes breed and create progeny. Namely, horses can breed with donkeys or zebras to produce offspring. And lions can breed with tigers to produce offspring.

[jtbirds]

What would really tell the tail is if hybrid hy's end up being sterile similar to hybrids of lions and tigers. The emerald macaw i know/ have in a will for me is said to be sterile but I will never find out truthfully.

Changing would be difficult if not impossible, one of the selling points of hys are the fact they are "macaws" without that name I don't think a hyacinth parrot would have been such a huge seller:p.

[Macaw Lover]

Regarding the Conures being classified as a Macaw, I remember seeing on another board that it was reclassified. Unfortunately that board was never set up to save the members postings for very long and so not something I can look up again seeing it was several years ago and don't know where to even look at this point.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Shall we have a go at making up a new name for them? :th_smile:

How about Macparrots - do they have any Scottish ancestry?