Blue And Gold Macaw Of The Rainforest

The blue and gold macaw of the rainforest is found* Length Female: 32-34 inches
mainly in tropical South America. Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador,* Weight Male: 2-2 3/4 pounds
northern Paraguay, and eastern Peru all offer the kind* Weight Female: slightly smaller
of home the macaw parrot needs. The blue and gold* Wingspan Male: 41-45 inches
macaw's natural habitat includes open marshlands and* Wingspan Female: slightly smaller
woodlands, but the rainforest, with its large trees is aTemperament
favored habitat.Of all the parrots of the world, the blue and gold
Blue and Gold Macaw Population Densitymacaw is said to have one of the mildest, most
The blue and gold macaw of the rainforest is aneasy-going temperaments. Unlike some parrot species,
endangered species. Because of hunting, trapping forthe blue and gold macaw is willing to interact with
the pet trade, and destruction of their habitat, blue andvarious family members rather than being a
gold macaws are gradually disappearing from theone-person bird. It will, however, prefer one above the
rainforest, as well as other areas.others.
Habitat destruction appears to be the greatest dangerExtremely intelligent, a blue and gold macaw can be
to blue and gold macaw population density. Logging, intaught both to talk and to do tricks. It mimics human
particular, removes the largest trees the oneswords loudly and clearly. It is a very expressive bird,
macaws favor for nesting. Without suitable nestingshowing what it wants by cocking its head, flashing its
sites, the blue and gold macaw of the rainforest iseyes, and "talking" to you. It may also fluff its feathers,
doomed to extinction.bow, bob its head, and prance around.
Perhaps the second greatest danger to the blue andA blue and gold macaw can become very tame and
gold macaw is the pet trade. Traders climb trees toplayful if hand-raised. They will always require a lot of
remove chicks from their nests. If climbing is tooattention, though. If they become bored, they can be
difficult, trees are felled, and chicks who survive the fallvery destructive.
are taken. Few survive to maturity, rapidly decimatingToys
their numbers.Give a blue and gold macaw wood to chew, and he
Blue and gold macaws are usually seen in pairs orwill forget about chewing things that are off-bounds.
family groups. At times, they may be seen in flocks ofThis parrot keeps its beak in good condition by
a dozen or so. Sadly, such sightings are becomingchewing wood. It also relieves pent up energy by
increasingly uncommon. The blue and gold macawchewing wood. As a result, it chews very aggressively.
population density in the wild is already much lowerA variety of stimulating chew toys will keep it from
than the numbers in captivity. Some put the total ofbecoming bored.
those in the rainforest at no more than 200 pairs.Food
ColoringThe blue and gold macaw of the rainforest usually
The blue and gold macaw of the rainforest is almosteats bark and leaves, fruits, nuts, seeds, and
entirely bright aqua blue and golden yellow. The wingsvegetables, but it will also eat small animals in the wild. It
are tipped with a bright true blue. Since both male andvisits clay licks to get mineral supplements into its diet,
female look identical, breeders must use a blood testand to detoxify seeds.
or DNA test to determine gender. The blue and goldIn captivity, a blue and gold macaw will eat fresh pellets
macaw has a creamy white face, with distinctiveor seeds. It will need fresh fruits and vegetables daily,
black feather lines and green forehead.with old ones discarded after 24 hours. It will need a
Sizeready supply of fresh, clean, chlorine-free water, too.
A full-grown blue and gold macaw is one of theThe blue and gold macaw appreciates quality and
largest parrots in the world.variety in its food, and may let you know if it is not
* Length Male: 34-36 incheshappy about what it receives.