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