Macaw Parrots Macaws are the largest parrots in the world. Most species are associated with forests, especially rainforests, but others prefer woodland or savanna-like habitats. Macaws are native to Mexico, Central America, South America and parts of the Carribean. There are several types of Macaws like:
*Glaucous Macaw-Anodorhynchus Glaucuscritically (endangered or extinct) *Hyacinth Macaw-Anodorhynchus Hyacinthinus *Indigo Macaw or Lear's Macaw-Anodorhynchus Leari *Little Blue Macaw or Spix's Macaw-Cyanopsitta Spixii (extinct in the wild) *Blue and Yellow or Blue and gold Macaw-Ara Ararauna *Blue Throated Macaw-Ara Glaucogularis *Military Macaw-Ara Militaris
*Buffon's Macaw or Great Green Macaw-Ara Ambiguus *Scarlet or Aracanga-Ara Macao
*Green Winged Macaw-Ara Chloroptera *Red Fronted Macaw-Ara Rubrogenys *Chestnut Fronted Macaw or Severe Macaw-Ara Severa *Cuban Red Macaw-Ara Tricolor (extinct) *Red-Bellied Macaw-Orthopsittaca Manilata *Blue Headed Macaw-Primolius Couloni *Illiger's Macaw or Blue Winged Macaw-Primolius Maracana *Golden Collared Macaw-Primolius Auricollis *Red Shouldered Macaw or Hahn's Macaw-Diopsittaca Nobi
Macaws eat nuts, seeds, fruit, and sometimes insects. They also gnaw and chew on various objects. They show a large amount of intelligence in their behaviour and require constant intellectual stimulation to satisfy their innate curiosity. They often learn tricks and words easily.
Macaws have been said to live for up to 100 years; however, an average of 50 years is probably more accurate. The larger macaws may live up to 65 years. They are monogamous and mate for life. In captivity unmated macaws will bond primarily with one person – their keeper, and can often be quite affectionate and cuddly. Pet macaws thrive on frequent interaction and attention from their owners, and a lack of this can lead to their mental and physical suffering. All macaws have very large, powerful beaks and the larger macaws are capable of destroying household furnishings and can potentially cause considerable harm to both children and adults. They also tend to be loud: in the wild their voices need to carry over long distances. This makes macaws very demanding birds to keep as a household pet. Unfortunately these beautiful animals are losing their homes in the wild. Why, you may ask?
Enemies Of The Wild Rainforest
LOGGERS Logging is when you chop down large amounts of wood for timber. The wood is used for many items that consumers like all of us purchase in the store. Timber is sold to other companies that use wood in their products like: furniture, toothpicks, paper, and many more things. Loggers kill thousands of animals each day in Rainforests all over the World.
SLASH & BURN FARMERS Farmers who cut and burn patches of rainforests to create fields for agriculture or pastures for livestock, or for a variety of other purposes. Whole species are wiped out as the farmers make room for their crops Some local farmers are able to plant in the shade of the forest, or find harmony with the land and both thrive. Most slash and burn activities however, render soils incapable of further yields for generations. Meaning the soil becomes 'dead'.
POACHERS Poachers take baby parrots from their nests and sell them to smugglers that sneak them out of the country to sell, mainly for the pet trade. Some countries, like the United States, have laws that make it illegal to bring "wild-caught" baby parrots into the country. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of several environmental groups, poachers are learning they can make more money saving the parrots and the rainforests.
Can I Make a Difference??
YES You Can!!
By keeping the rainforest intact and leaving the parrots alone, people from all over the world come to visit. This creates an "eco-tourism" industry. You can also support local farmers who do not harm the forest by purchasing 'Fair Trade' items at your local Grocery Store or from Trade Stores.
Even small things make a difference like:
*Pencils-Buy pencils made from "sustainable" wood *Furniture-Don't buy furniture made with rainforest wood -Some examples are: teak, mahogany, rosewood *Know A Coffee Lover?-Buy "fair-trade" - "shade grown" coffee
"Sustainable-Wood" means trees that are replanted and can be sustained. "Shade-Grown" coffee means the trees weren't cut down to grow the coffee. The coffee is grown in the shade of the forest. "Fair-Trade" allows the small farmers to sell their coffee for a "fair market" price which gives them enough money to support their families
Parrots and People can live together in Harmony. Cody & Bj are striving to prove that one school at a time. Will you Help?
