Chapter 2- Izzy, Flo and Venus's first flight, and the question on the possibility of other Spix and Lear's macaws
A few months later, Erico and Clarinda's three daughters, Izzy, Flo and Venus, had grown into three beautiful chicks. They had gained feathers as they grew and had been constantly fed by their parents who never neglected them. Whenever the three sisters were hungry which they indicated to their parents with cries and chirps, Erico and Clarinda responded by foraging for food and bringing them to their chicks. It was demanding but it was also fulfilling. Erico and Clarinda clearly enjoyed being parents but as the three chicks grew, they looked forward to introducing them to the next milestone in their lives: their first flight. When the day finally came for the chicks to take their first flight, their flight feathers having fully grown on their wings, Erico and Clarinda had taken them to a branch on the tree in which they lived which will be the take off point for the three sisters. Erico and Clarinda's friends, Alvin the green-winged macaw and his mate Marina had come to watch Erico and Clarinda's three daughters take their first flight. Alvin and Marina had a brood of two adolescent chicks, a son and a daughter. Perched next to the green-winged macaw family were the Lear's macaw family, Thomas and his mate Lola together with their four chicks: three sons and a daughter. Between Izzy, Flo and Venus's hatching and now, Erico and Clarinda had met Thomas and his family and had become friends with them, and Erico had introduced the Lear's macaw family to their three daughters, and Thomas had immediately taken a liking to Izzy, Flo and Venus for he had never seen Spix macaw chicks before.
Like Erico and Clarinda and their three daughters, Thomas and his family were part of an extremely rare species of macaw, the Lear's macaw. Both Thomas and Lola had very dark blue feathers but the feathers on their faces and chests were tinted with dark teal, a characteristic all Lear's macaws had though in a few individuals, the greenish tinge is sometimes hard to see. Thomas and Lola's eyes were bordered by orange-yellow rings of skin and their lower mandible was adorned with a large piece of orange-yellow skin called a lappet. Both Thomas and Lola had a slender build and both had small crests resembling a tassel. Thomas's had three feathers while Lola's had two. Thomas's eyes were shade of grey while Lola's eyes were blue. All four of their chicks looked like a spitting image of their parents. All four had a slender build and all the features of a Lear's macaw including the eye rings and beak lappet. All four chicks also had a tassel-like crest consisting of two or three feathers. Two of the sons and the daughter had blue eyes like Lola their mother while the third son had grey eyes like his father Thomas. Because the four siblings look so alike and very much like their parents, they were sometimes called quads by most of the other birds in the community since they were sometimes hard to tell apart. The four chicks of Thomas and Lola were slightly older than Izzy, Flo and Venus though they were born on the same day as them, but they had only just learned to fly a couple of days ago. In the same way that Erico and Clarinda had not seen other Spix macaws than their own families and their chicks, Thomas, Lola and their offspring had not seen other Lear's macaws at all. However, Thomas and Lola had hoped that there were other Lear's macaws out there and had planned to venture out into the Amazon to search for other Lear's macaws once their chicks become old enough, a plan Erico and Clarinda had in mind to search for more Spix macaws as soon as their three daughters become old enough as well.
The six Lear's macaws stood by the family of four green-winged macaws with their eyes fixed on Erico and Clarinda as they continued talking to Izzy, Flo and Venus about flight. The three sisters stood on the branch they will take off from with Erico and Clarinda perched on another branch before them. Then Erico and Clarinda began to explain to the three sisters about how the feathers on their wings were essential for allowing flight. Erico and Clarinda believed that the ability to fly was one of the most magical abilities to exist in nature though they knew that not all bird types could fly, such as the rhea, a flightless bird. As Erico and Clarinda continued explaining flight, Izzy, Flo and Venus watched intently. The three chicks had indeed grown and their features which they had inherited from their father and mother had become obvious. Izzy, the oldest sister, appeared to have inherited most of her features from Erico. Her eyes were a shade of blue but they were brighter and she had his spec-like facial markings (separate eye patches connected by a band over the top of the beak). Her crest was similar to Erico's albeit smaller and she had inherited his stocky build. However, she was maya blue like her mother Clarinda. Flo, the second oldest sister and middle daughter, was also maya blue and resembled Clarinda quite a bit. She had inherited Clarinda's separate eye patches which lacked the band over the top of her beak, as well as Clarinda's amber eyes and slender build. However, she had inherited Erico's crest, a small ruffle on the back of her head like Izzy's. Venus, the youngest daughter, looked a lot like Clarinda. Like her sisters, her feathers were maya blue but unlike her sisters who had a small feather ruffle like Erico, Venus had inherited Clarinda's unusual double crest but due to her age they were only two tufts. The feathers will grow longer as she grows older. Venus's eyes were amber like her mother's and she had inherited Erico's spec-like facial markings. Venus also had a slender build like Flo and Clarinda.
As soon as Erico had finished explaining flight to the sisters, it was time for the three to take their first flight. Clarinda and Erico then flew over to the end of the branch while Alvin, Thomas and their families moved closer to both watch and prepare to catch the chicks should they fall.
"Right, are you girls ready?" said Erico with a smile on his face, "Who would like to go first?"
The three sisters began to discuss among themselves.
"You go first Flo," said Izzy.
"You're the eldest," muttered Flo with a frown, "You go first."
Venus, however, said nothing. Clarinda then stepped in.
"Why don't we all do this together instead?" she asked, "Therefore we'll have no arguing. Your uncles Alvin and Thomas have come to watch you take your first flight but I'm sure they can help."
Though Alvin and Thomas and their families were completely unrelated to Erico and his family, since they were friends of his, Erico had decided to allow them to be like uncles, aunts and cousins to Izzy, Flo and Venus. The three daughters then looked up at their mother as Alvin then perched by them.
"I think that's a good idea, Clarinda," he said. He then turned and looked at the three Spix macaw chicks and said, "Right, who would like to learn to fly under our guide?"
"I will, uncle Alvin," said Izzy excitedly and with that she bounced over to her green-winged macaw uncle's side. Flo then opted to learn to fly under Thomas's care and walked over to the Lear's macaw male, leaving only Venus with Clarinda and Erico. As soon as the group was ready, Erico said, "Right, let's go."
Within moments, Izzy, Venus and Flo were perched apart along the branch, ready to take their first flight. Alvin, Lola and their son and daughter prepared to catch Izzy should she fall while Thomas, Lola and their three sons and daughter prepared to take action should Flo fall. In the middle of the two groups of birds, Clarinda and Erico prepared to watch Venus take off and fly.
"Mom, Dad," asked Venus, "How do we actually fly?"
Erico let loose a slight titter of amusement in response to this question.
"I'm afraid it's too complicated, Venus," he replied, "One of Thomas and Lola's sons, Mercury asked his parents that same question and they replied to him they don't know, so we don't know."
"It's just an ability we macaws have," said Clarinda, "The nitty-gritty of it I'm afraid is beyond what we know about flight. All you need to know is how to use your wings to fly."
Venus looked back at Clarinda with a curious look on her face. She wanted to know how macaws and other flying creatures fly but knew that she wouldn't be able to get an explanation from any of the residents around here. The mechanics of flight was likely to be a human subject. Forgetting the question, Venus prepared to take her first flight. However, she was very nervous.
"All you have to do is step into the air and flap your wings," said Erico, "But don't worry, we will not let you plummet all the way to the forest floor. If you fall too far, we will catch you."
"Dad," Venus murmured, "Does this mean I have to jump off this branch."
"Oh, no, my daughter," said Erico, "That wouldn't be a good idea. It would actually be quite dangerous. The better idea is to step into the air and drop off the branch, but like I've said before, if you fall too far, we will catch you."
Venus gulped. She was clearly nervous and it was not surprising. It was the first time she had ever done something like this. Clarinda smiled.
"You know something, when I was your age," she said, "I was very nervous as well when I took my first flight but once you take your first flight, all that nervousness will be gone."
Venus looked up at Clarinda and then prepared to make the drop. She spread her wings and closed her eyes. She did not want to look down and see the massive drop.
"Take your time," said Erico patiently. Venus did so. At first, she hesitated but then she raised a talon into the air and allowed herself to drop off the branch. As soon as Venus was in the air, she gasped as a wave of panic washed over her and she began flapping her wings and flailing in the air. As she fell through the air, Clarinda and Erico swooped down after her. Both parents called to Venus to flap her wings. Venus continued flailing and plummeting through the air but before Clarinda could swoop down and catch her, Venus felt the air rush over her wings as her body tilted down with her head facing the ground. At this moment, she flapped her wings and was pulled out of the dive as the force of lift caught her wings. Then within moments, Venus flew upwards and realised she was flying. She cried and squealed with joy and flew to the cheers of her mother and father.
"Well done, Venus," said Erico ecstatically, "You've managed to achieve your first flight on your first try. It took me three tries to fly for the first time."
Venus then flew around and was joined by Clarinda and Erico who flew around her and congratulated her. Nearby the three macaws, squeals and cries of joy also sounded from another female chick. Flo had managed to fly for the first time as well and was being congratulated by Thomas and Lola. Then seconds later, Izzy's cries of joy were heard as she flew around in the air as well with Alvin and Marina flying around her and congratulating her. Marina and Alvin's son and daughter also joined in the little celebratory dance. All three of Clarinda and Erico's daughters had taken their first flight. Like Venus, Izzy and Flo were very nervous but at the encouragement from Thomas, Lola, Alvin and Marina and also their 'cousins', they went ahead and managed to pull out of the drop before they could fall too far which would mean the adult macaws flying in and catching them. And as soon as Izzy and Flo were in the air, their panic had been replaced by joy and they began to fly around together and with their younger sister Venus.
As Izzy, Flo and Venus flew around together with Alvin, Marina, their son and daughter, Clarinda and Erico, Thomas, Lola and their four chicks joined in. Izzy, Flo and Venus then began to playfully chase each other around a few nearby branches before joining the other macaws to continue their celebratory dance. Then after the group of macaws had calmed down and had perched onto the branch Izzy, Flo and Venus had taken off from, Erico began to congratulate his daughters.
"Well, I'd like to congratulate you three on taking your first flight, my daughters," he said to Izzy, Flo and Venus, "I think as a reward, we are going to have a group lunch."
At this, the three sisters cheered delightfully while Alvin and Marina's son and daughter and the four chicks of Thomas and Lola, one of whom as named Mercury, smiled.
"I think that's an excellent idea, Erico," said Thomas with a smile. Erico then turned to Thomas, Lola, Alvin and Marina and said, "And I would like to thank you four for helping us teach our three girls to fly."
"You are welcome," said Alvin, proud to have helped, "We help each other as friends should."
"I think if you ever decide on having a second brood of chicks," said Clarinda, "Allow us to help you to teach them how to fly when their time comes."
"We'll see about that," said Marina, Alvin's mate, "We don't have any plans on having a second brood just yet."
"But if we do decide, we're more than happy for you two to help us teach our chicks to fly," said Alvin, "Just like how we helped with yours."
Erico smiled as Lola, Thomas's mate then spoke up.
"Are we going to go for lunch then?" she asked, "I'm getting hungry and our chicks Jackie, Chico, Mercury and Ashley are pestering us for something to eat."
It was true. The four chicks, Jackie, Chico and Mercury (the sons of Thomas and Lola) and Ashley (the daughter of Thomas and Lola) were complaining of hunger. They were clearly ready for something to eat. Alvin and Marina's two adolescent chicks were also getting hungry. Seeing the begging looks on his son and daughter's faces, Alvin said, "I kind of agree, actually. Our own two chicks are getting hungry too. I think it's time for a lunch break."
"Right," said Erico who was ready for a foraging trip, "What would each of you like, our dears?"
He asked Clarinda, Lola and Marina the question. Thomas and Alvin stood beside him.
"I would like a mango please," replied Clarinda.
"Can you get me two strawberry guavas," said Lola.
"I would like some guavas too," said Marina. Erico, Alvin and Thomas smiled.
"Coming right up," Erico smile he then turned to the chicks.
"What would you kids like?" asked Erico. The chicks all gave their answer but Izzy, Venus and Flo didn't know what they would like.
"Could we just have a selection of fruit please, Dad?" asked Izzy, "We really don't know what we'd like at all."
Venus and Flo nodded in agreement.
"We'll see what we can find, my daughters then," said Erico with a smile on his beak. Next to the three Spix macaw sisters, the Lear's and green-winged macaw chicks had made their choices and had told their dads what specific fruit they would like. Then as soon as the three dads were ready, Erico, Thomas and Alvin took off to start foraging.
"We'll be right back, our dears," said Alvin as he followed Erico and Thomas, "We won't be long."
"Okay, see you," said Marina as she, Lola and Clarinda began to watch over the chicks while the fathers were away. And within moments, Erico, Thomas and Alvin disappeared behind some trees.
A while later, Erico, Thomas and Alvin had returned with the fruit and soon the three macaw families were eating. They ate together as Erico promised. While they were eating, Venus was curious once again, this time about something else.
"Hey, Dad, Mom," she said to Erico and Clarinda after she swallowed a berry, "Are there any other macaws like us?"
"What do you mean, my daughter?" asked Erico. Then Clarinda understood Venus's question.
"Do you mean macaws specifically like me, your father, you and your sisters?" she asked. Venus nodded. Clarinda shrugged.
"We have no idea," Clarinda said, "But as far as we know, my family, your father's family and you three are the only macaws Erico and I have seen so far."
"None of the members of the community have seen other Spix macaws like you five, to be honest," said Alvin as he swallowed a piece of mango, "You five are the only Spix macaws we know. The same is true for Thomas, Lola and their four Jackie, Chico, Mercury and Ashley being the only Lear's macaws we know."
"I think that's very worrying really," said Thomas glumly as he ate a piece of papaya fruit, "If the Lear's and the Spix macaws are so rare and hard to find, what are our kids going to do when they grow up and decide to finds mates and have chicks of their own?"
"They'd have little or, even more sadly, no chance of finding someone to settle down with at all," said Lola in agreement. Clarinda also gave the same worried look as she glanced at Venus, Flo and Izzy and then at Jackie, Chico, Mercury and Ashley who only responded with curious looks on their faces while they continued eating.
"Some of the community members around here believe that there could be more Spix macaws out in the Amazon, actually," said Alvin as he fed his son a piece of mango, "But I'm not sure about the Lear's macaw, though."
"Alfred the green toucanet told us that the Lear's macaw is apparently much rarer than the Spix macaw," said Alvin, "So I suppose the Lear's would be much harder to find than the Spix, but that's an assumption. I don't know."
This made Thomas, Lola and Clarinda's faces fall slightly. Erico, however, maintained a positive look on his face.
"Well, when our daughters become old enough," he said, "We're going to venture out into the Amazon rainforest and hopefully find more of our kind."
He then turned to Thomas and his family and said, "And I suggest you do the same, Thomas, when your four chicks become old enough. In fact, we'll venture into the Amazon together."
"But what if we never find more of our two rare species?" asked Thomas, his voice tinted with doubt.
"Well, it's worth a try," said Marina, "I'd suggest you lot go for it."
"I agree," said Alvin, "Since unlike us green-winged macaws which are relatively common and there are plenty of other green-wings living around here, both your species, being so rare, are less likely to be found around here but you might have a better chance of finding more of your species out in the Amazon..."
"You lot are the only Lear's and Spix macaws we know," said Marina, "We have never even sighted another Spix or Lear's macaw, not even one in fact, anywhere around here as far as we know."
"Don't tell us that we could be the last of both our species," muttered Clarinda. Alvin and Marina just gave the female Spix macaw a silent look, but the looks on their faces implied that that might be true. Erico, however, kept his determination.
"I don't think we are," he said hopefully, "I'm pretty sure there are more Spix and Lear's macaws out there. We just have to find them. Anyway, let's just finish our lunch. We'll see to that obstacle when we come to it."
And with that the families of Spix, Lear's and green-winged macaws returned to eating their meal. Then as soon as the group had finished, it was time for Thomas, Alvin and their families to return to their homes.
"Well, I'd like to congratulate your daughters for taking their first flight today, Erico," said Alvin as he hugged Erico and Clarinda, "And I hope you five have a nice afternoon and evening."
Marina also hugged Clarinda and Erico while Alvin and Marina's son and daughter hugged Izzy, Venus and Flo, also congratulating them on their first flight. Then Thomas and Lola hugged Erico and Clarinda while Jackie, Chico, Mercury and Ashley hugged Izzy and her two sisters. After Thomas broke the hug with Erico, he said, "We're planning on taking our four chicks to see the human city of Rio de Janeiro in a few days time. Would you like to come with us?"
"Oh, we'd love to," said Erico with a smile, "At least we'll introduce our three chicks to what a human city looks like."
This reply planted a question into Izzy, Venus and Flo's heads.
"What's a human city, Uncle Thomas?" asked Izzy. Thomas turned and looked at her.
"You'll see what one is when we come to take you and your family out, Izzy," he said, "But now is not the time. We have things to do."
Izzy sighed and obliged to wait, but she still wanted to see what a human city looked like. Venus and Flo also had that same desire. Then Thomas felt it was time to go home. After calling his three sons and daughter, he and Lola prepared to fly back to their hollow.
"Well, we'll see you next time, Erico and Clarinda," said Thomas as he prepared to take off, "And we'll come to your hollow when we are ready to go and see Rio."
"Again, congrats on your three daughters taking their first flight," said Lola with a smile. And with that, the Lear's macaw family took off and flew away into the trees.
"Thanks and goodbye, my Lear's friends," called Erico but the Lear's macaw family was already out of earshot. Then Alvin and his family prepared to leave for their hollow too. After saying goodbye and congratulating Erico and Clarinda on their three daughters' first flight again, the green-winged family of four left and flew off in the direction of their hollow, remaining only the Spix macaw family. Clarinda then turned to Erico and smiled.
"Well, what would you like to do next, dear?" she asked. Erico looked at Izzy, Flo and Venus and said, "I think we'll relax for the rest of the day and also take these three on short outings to exercise their flight muscles. Anyway, let's go back to our hollow."
And with that, the family of five Spix macaws flew off back to their hollow to enjoy the rest of the day together.