The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal (URJ) Volume 12 Issue 1 Article 2 2020 A Courting Behavioral Study on a Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) Pair Pamela Mulkay University of Central Florida Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/urj University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Office of Undergraduate Research at STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal (URJ) by an authorized editor of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Mulkay, Pamela (2020) "A Courting Behavioral Study on a Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) Pair," The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal (URJ): Vol. 12 : Iss. 1 , Article 2. Available at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/urj/vol12/iss1/2 Mulkay: A Courting Behavioral Study on a Hyacinth Macaw Published 9-17 Vol. 12.1: April 8, 2020 THE PEGASUS REVIEW: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH JOURNAL A Courting Behavioral Study on a Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) Pair By: Pamela Mulkay Faculty Mentor: Frank Logiudice UCF Department of Biology ABSTRACT: This study observes the courtship behaviors of an Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus pair in the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford, Florida. A. hyacinthinus reproductive behaviors occur in four steps in the following order: Allopreening, Cloacal allopreening, Back to Back Copulation Position and finally, Copulation (Schneider 2006). Behavioral observations were taken twice a week for an average of 2 to 3 hours each day for ten weeks. The resulting data was analyzed based on the different actions, types of movement, and types of maintenance observed of the A. hyacinthinus pair. Percentages and averages were then calculated for actions relevant to courtship behaviors – Destruction, Vocalization, Self-preening, and Mutual Preening. From the observations collected during this study, the pair only fully completed step 1 (Allopreening) of the mating process. This species is known to produce specialized vocalizations when Cloacal Allopreening (step 2) is reached (Schneider 2006). However, the specialized vocalizations were absent during observation sessions. One of the individuals was observed to attempt the beginning positions for step 3, Back-to-Back Copulation Position, but this action was not reciprocated by the other individual, suggesting Step 3 was not completed. Lastly, Copulation was not observed throughout the study. These findings nevertheless demonstrate that the A. hyacinthinus pair is well bonded and may be encouraged to copulate if given proper nesting materials and privacy. KEYWORDS: Hyacinth Macaw; Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, courtship, mating Republication not permitted without written consent of the author. Published by STARS, 2020 1 www.URJ.ucf.edu 9 The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal (URJ), Vol. 12 [2020], Iss. 1, Art. 2 THE PEGASUS REVIEW: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 12.1: 9-17 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH JOURNAL INTRODUCTION Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, also known as the Hyacinth Macaw or the Blue Macaw, is the largest of the parrots. With an average weight of 1.36 kilograms, these parrots have a wingspan of about 1.22 meters and a length of up to 99.06 centimeters (Hagen 2004). Covered in cobalt blue feathers and possessing distinctive yellow markings around their eyes and at the base of their mandible, A. hyacinthinus looks to be always smiling. This unique species of macaw, native to Central and South America, prefers woodland and savannah habitats and is commonly found in the Pantanal and Cerrados regions of Brazil (Schneider 2006). A. hyacinthinus are naturally destructive, and are known for using their beaks to manipulate small stones, thin branches, or bark to sharpen or clean their beaks. These birds may exhibit behaviors such as preening (using their beak and tongue to groom themselves or other macaws), vigilance activity (a pair taking turns patrolling the territorial area), wide ranges of vocalization, and fruit manipulation (holding fruit with one foot while using their beaks or tools to break apart or open mesocarp) (Lafeber Pet Trade; Schneider 2006). They are omnivores, though their diets consist mainly of palm fruit and nuts (De Paula Figure 1. Zack (left) and Stitch (right) 2017). In some cases, this species uses tools to open and Once they are able to care for themselves, juvenile A. remove the mesocarp of palm fruit (Schneider 2006). hyacinthinus may join another flock of un-mated young This species’ protein intake derives from the larvae inside adults. However, it is not uncommon to find bigger flocks nuts and fruits that have fallen or dropped to the forest of 12 to 20 individuals consisting of pairs and family floor. This macaw species also feeds on termites found in trios (Schneider 2006, Animalia.bio). These birds reach the decaying wood when building their nests (De Paula sexual maturity between 6 and 10 years old. While A. 2017). hyacinthinus prefer to stay in flocks, they are socially and sexually monogamous, staying and reproducing with the A. hyacinthinus populations were once abundant in the same partner throughout their lifetime (Caparroz 2011). Pantanal because the area is rich in manduvis trees, which are used for nesting (Pizo 2008). Unfortunately, habitat The subjects of this study include a pair: Zack and Stitch. destruction, illegal bird trading, and the slow process of Zack and Stitch were both born in 1996 in different areas development and maturation in nestlings has greatly of the United States. Zack was transferred to the Central affected the species’ numbers. As a result, this species Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens from a private sector is now considered “Vulnerable,” with only an estimated in Dallas, Texas when he was six months old. Sometime 4,300 mature individuals left in the wild (Kuniy 2006, later, Zack was paired with another Hyacinth Macaw as a IUCN 2016). Copulation occurs year-round, but nesting breeding companion. The second subject, Stitch, and her occurs from November to April in South America mate at the time, were transferred from a private sector (Hagen 2004). The female will lay one to two eggs per (also in Dallas) to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and then to clutch and incubate them for 25 to 28 days, in which time the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in 2009. the male will forage and feed the female. A. hyacinthus Stitch and her mate were kept off-exhibit for breeding eggs hatch asynchronously, therefore, the mother will purposes. Stitch’s and Zack’s mates were later transferred only bear the first hatchling (keeping the second as to Palm Beach due to new breeding recommendations, insurance), which will fledge in 13 weeks and stay with and Stitch was subsequently paired with Zack. Originally, her for about 18 months (Kuniy 2006, Schneider 2006). https://stars.library.ucf.edu/urj/vol12/iss1/2 2 www.URJ.ucf.edu 10 Mulkay: A Courting Behavioral Study on a Hyacinth Macaw THE PEGASUS REVIEW: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 12.1: 9-17 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH JOURNAL Figure 2. A. hyacinthinus display enclosure. zookeepers had believed the pair consisted of two males 1, 2, 3 and 6 (and all the branches in between) so the from information provided by the prior owners of the A. pair may cool off and find solace from the extreme heat. hyacinthinus. However, recent genetic tests revealed that Two water bowls have been placed on Post 1 and Post 4. one of the macaws, Stitch, appears to be female. Zack At times, zookeepers attached palm leaves or enrichment and Stitch were kept in an enclosed perching area similar toys to the branches and posts of the enclosure. to their current “Night Enclosure” until August of 2018, when the zoo built the Hyacinth Macaw “Display In response to the loss of their original mating Enclosure”. Stitch is distinguished from Zack by a band partners, this study aims to determine if the new pair is on his left foot. Moreover, they display a noticeable performing courting and mating behaviors. According physical difference; Zack is more distinctively yellow to Larissa Schneider (Schneider 2006), copulation of A. around his mandible and eyes than Stitch (Figure 1). hyacinthinus occurs in four steps. The first of these steps, allopreening, is characterized by a pair perching side by Zack and Stitch are brought out to their “Display side, ruffling their feathers and grooming each other’s Enclosure” around 9:30 AM. This enclosure consists of feathers using their beak and tongue. The next step is eight posts connected by various branches of differing cloacal allopreening, in which a pair perches side by levels, lengths and extending branches (Figure 2). The side and the head of one individual is directed to the post directly in front of the zookeeper’s entrance to the other’s cloaca, and vise versa; this position is followed enclosure was labeled as Post 1, while the rest of the posts by allopreening. Following this step is the back-to-back were numbered in a clockwise manner from the view of copulation position, in which, perched back-to-back, the boardwalk. There is no connecting branch between a pair leans their heads forward and raise their tails; Post 3 and Post 4 to allow the zookeepers to place a specialized vocalization may begin as cloacas touch. The Scarlet Macaw in the enclosure with the Hyacinth final step, copulation, is characterized by a pair with their Macaws without risk of altercations. Three pieces of mesh heads down, tails up, tongues moving up and down, and fabric have been placed over the enclosure to provide cloacas connected. At this point, vocalization reaches a shade, and two fans on the left and right corners on the high intensity. This final step is the consummation of outside of the habitat provide cool air.