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