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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
macaw |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Psittaciformes |
| FAMILY: |
Psittacidae
(parrots) |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Most
are Ara (macaw) spp.; also Anodorhynchus
spp., Cyanopsitta spp., and Propyrrhura
spp. |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
Macaws
are typically large, brightly colored parrots with
long tail feathers. The characteristic that distinguishes
macaws from other members of the parrot family is
their bare facial areas that vary in size and pattern
according to different species. |
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| SIZE: |
Macaws
range in size from the 30 cm (12 in.) Hahn's macaw
(Ara nobilis nobilis) to the largest of all
parrots, the hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus),
which can reach a size of approximately 102 cm (40
in.). |
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| WEIGHT: |
Hyacinth
macaws weigh approximately 1550-1600 g (3-3.5 lb.) |
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| DIET: |
Most
macaws feed mainly on seeds, nuts, and fruits. With
their powerful, vice-like bills, some macaws are
even able to crack open hard-shelled foods such
as Brazil nuts. |
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| INCUBATION: |
Incubation time depends on the species, but typically
lasts for 26-29 days |
| CLUTCH
SIZE: |
Most
macaw females lay 1-3 eggs |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Generally,
approximately 2-4 years for most species of macaw |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
Depends
on the species; some macaws live 60-80 years or
more |
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| RANGE: |
Macaws
are native to Central and South America |
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| HABITAT: |
Mostly
found in rainforests, some species also found in
more arid habitats |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
| LOCAL |
The
glaucous macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus) is
on the verge of extinction with less than 50 individuals
left in the wild. The last known wild Spix's macaw
(C. spixii) died in late 2000, this species
is very likely extinct in the wild and a captive
population of 60 birds is all that remains of the
species. |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
The
Spix's, indigo (Anodorhynchus leari), and
glaucous macaws are all listed as Endangered. |
| CITES |
All
macaws are listed on CITES Appendix I or II, meaning
they are all protected under international regulations
as either an endangered or threatened species. |
| USFWS |
14
species are listed; 4 species are listed as Critically
Endangered and 4 species as Extinct. |
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|
| 1. |
Macaws
are a large group of birds in Psittacidae, the parrot
family. More commonly seen large macaws include
the military (Ara militaris), scarlet (A.
macao), blue & gold (A. arauna),
and green-winged macaw (A. chloroptera). |
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| 2. |
Macaws
are social birds and typically form strong, monogamous
pair bonds. They usually nest in the hollows of
trees high off the ground or in the sides of cliffs.
Both parents defend their eggs and chicks aggressively.
They are often seen flying in large flocks and the
bonded pairs fly close together, their wings nearly
touching. |
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| 3. |
In
the wild, macaws often flock to mountains of clay
known as "macaw licks". |
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| 4. |
When
disturbed, these bright birds screech loudly and
circle overhead with their long tails streaming. |
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| 5. |
Macaws
are playful and inquisitive and are able to mimic
human vocalizations very well. |
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| 6. |
Macaws
are extremely messy eaters - their incredibly strong
beaks are perfectly adapted for eating all sorts
of nuts and seeds, as seen in their ability to crack
open incredibly hard-shelled nuts with ease. |
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| 7. |
Macaws
are able to reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. |
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In
the course of daily feeding, macaws allow plenty
of seeds (while eating, as well as in their droppings)
to fall to the forest floor, thus generating much
of the forest growth.
The
main natural predator of macaws is the harpy eagle,
but humans have caused more devastation to macaw
populations.
In
addition to damage done by rain forest habitat
destruction, humans also hunt macaws for their
plumage, meat, and for the exotic pet industry.
Macaws
are popular pets, but potential owners should
be well informed and prepared. Many macaws, such
as blue & gold macaws, are targeted for pet
trade.
Bird
collectors pay thousands of dollars per bird.
Smugglers take the eggs or young birds and sell
them to exotic pet stores.
Macaws
sold as pets must be hatched and hand-raised in
the U.S. If not, they were likely smuggled in
illegally. Buyers should also be aware that these
birds are long-lived, often living several decades.
Macaws also demand a great deal of time and attention
and require daily interactions.
Besides
pure-bred species, hybrids of macaws are also
sold as pets. Hybrids include miligolds (military/blue
& gold mix), catalinas (scarlet/blue &
gold mix), and harlequins (green-winged/blue &
gold mix). Many aviculturists are opposed to the
practice of deliberate hybridization, as this
makes preserving the pure-bred species more difficult.
In
1990, Defenders of Wildlife began a campaign in
which more than 100 commercial airlines agreed
to stop carrying birds. This stopped the delivery
of new birds to dealers and forced some of them
to breed the captive species they already had.
In 1995, the Wild Bird Conservation Act was enacted
and it halted the import of endangered birds,
especially macaws.
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| |
|
|
| Forshaw,
J.M. Parrots of the World. New Jersey. T.F.H.
Publications Inc., 1978. |
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|
Marrison,
C. and A. Greensmith. Birds of the World.
New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc. 1993.
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|
|
Perrins,
C. (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Birds. New
York: Facts on File Publications, 1985.
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| http://www.birdlife.org/ |
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| http://www.nwf.org/wildalive/macaw/ |
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| http://www.santabarbarazoo.org/animals/birds/macaw_bluegold.html |
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| http://inst.santafe.cc.fl.us/~zoo/bgmacaw.htm |
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