Are blue and yellow macaws rare?

What is the blue-throated macaw project?

Progress and outcomes:Since 2002, the World Parrot Trust has led the Blue-throated Macaw Project, which has made significant progress in understanding the birds’ breeding and recovery issues. Research has found that predation (30%) and poaching (18%) are the leading causes of nest failure.

How many eggs does a blue throated macaw lay?

Blue-throated macaws usually breed once a year but if the eggs or nestlings are lost, they may produce a second clutch in the same breeding season. A clutch consists of one to three eggs and incubates for 26 days. Nestlings have a mass of approximately 18 g at hatching and fledge at 13 to 14 weeks.

Where can I find a blue-throated macaw?

WANT TO HELP? The Blue-Throated Macaw is not a forest bird and as a result is found in the Gran Chaco of the Beni Department of Bolivia, where it can be found to nest in the islands of palm trees found throughout the plains. It is one of the rarest species of birds in the world.

What is the biggest threat to blue-throated macaws?

Humans are the biggest threat to blue-throated macaws. Steep population declines can be traced back to the 1970s and ’80s, when more than a thousand birds were caught in the wild and exported from the country to be pets.

How often do blue throated macaws breed?

Blue-throated macaws breed once a year if the environmental conditions allow. However, if the nestlings or the eggs are lost, the breeding couple might produce a second clutch of eggs within the same season. There are two periods of breeding for these birds.

Are there blue-throated macaws in Bolivia?

HABITAT: Wet tropical savannas of northern Bolivia. It was once thought to be extinct in the wild. But in 1992, a population of about 50 Blue-throated Macaws was rediscovered in northeastern Bolivia, surviving among the “islands” of palm trees that rise above the Beni savanna’s vast, seasonally flooded plains.

Are blue-throated macaws endangered?

The vibrant blue-throated macaw was thought to be extinct for years until 1992, when a wild population of the species was found in South America. Today, the blue-throated macaw is critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Do blue-throated macaws nest in trees?

Blue-throated macaws live in a very small range and every breeding season nest in new cavities. For this reason, they often compete for nesting-holes in trees with Blue-and-yellow macaws, Green-winged macaws, Scarlet macaws, large woodpeckers, toco toucans, barn owls, bats, and even bees.

When was the blue-throated macaw discovered?

This beauty has only really become known in aviculture since the late 1970’s. While all the other large macaws were discovered up to 200 years earlier, in the 1700 and 1800 hundreds, the Blue-throated Macaw was not described until 1921. Its natural habitat is not widespread.

How often do blue-throated macaws breed?

The species breeds once a year, but if the eggs or nestlings are lost, they can often produce a second clutch of eggs in the same season Young blue-throated macaws are known to stay with their parents for up to a year, where the parents will skip the breeding season. The species reaches sexual maturity at around 5 years of age.

How long do blue-throated macaws stay with their parents?

They usually stay with their parents for up to a year. During this time, the parents will skip an entire breeding season. Blue-throated macaws reach reproductive maturity and start breeding at about 5 years of age. Blue-throated macaws have a very small population and are on the verge of extinction in the wild.

How can we help save the Bolivian blue-throated macaw?

Both laws have helped halt the trafficking of this species and other endangered birds such as Lear’s Macaw and Banded Cotinga. Asociación Armonía’s national Blue-throated Macaw community awareness campaign, launched in 2003, provided awareness and instilled Bolivian pride in the country’s rare bird, furthering reducing trade in the species.

How long do blue-throated macaws live with their parents?

Young blue-throated macaws are known to stay with their parents for up to a year, where the parents will skip the breeding season. The species reaches sexual maturity at around 5 years of age. Nests are usually made in the cavities of palm trees, with dead palms being preferred as they are hollowed out by large grubs.

What do Blue-Throated Macaws eat?

The diet of the blue-throated macaw consists of mostly fruit from large palm trees. They are unlike other macaws in that they do not eat seeds and nuts. The primary habitat of the species is palm trees Acrocomia aculeata, Mauritia fleuxosa and Attalea phalerata palm species.

How much does a blue and gold macaw weigh?

Their weight varies from 0.9-1.3kg (2-3lbs). The blue and gold macaw is a herbivore. They feed on a range of plants, fruits, berries, seeds and nuts. Their large beak allows them to break in to seeds and nuts that other birds would not be able to access.

Is a blue and gold macaw a herbivore?

The blue and gold macaw is a herbivore. They feed on a range of plants, fruits, berries, seeds and nuts. Their large beak allows them to break in to seeds and nuts that other birds would not be able to access.

What kind of bird is a blue throat macaw?

Its namesake blue throat distinguishes the bird from the more common Blue-and-yellow Macaw; the two species are often seen together. The Blue-throated Macaw’s habitat surrounds the major city of Trinidad, and as that city has grown, the bird’s numbers have diminished.

How to take care of a blue-throated macaw?

For housing, the blue-throated macaws must be provided with a spacious and large cage that one can afford. Because of their very wide wingspan, at 3 feet, it is recommended that these birds be provided a bird room, an outdoor aviary, or a very spacious cage. In order to survive, the blue-throated macaws need to have enough room to move freely.

How old do blue-throated macaws have to be to breed?

Blue-throated macaws reach reproductive maturity and start breeding at about 5 years of age. Blue-throated macaws have a very small population and are on the verge of extinction in the wild.

Why is the blue-throated macaw important to Bolivia?

Blue-throated macaws help to disperse seeds of fruit they feed on and also act as an important food source for local predators. In 2014 the Blue-throated macaw was designated by law as a natural patrimony of Bolivia, where it is known as barba azul, which means ‘blue beard’ in Spanish.

Are blue-throated macaws monogamous?

Blue-throated macaws are monogamous, which means that when they bond, they bond for life. In the wild, blue-throated macaws often flock to mountains of clay known as “macaw licks.” When they are disturbed, blue-throated macaws screech loudly and fly overhead in circles.

How many blue-throated macaws are there in the world?

Through 15 years of conservation programs led by ABC’s Bolivian partner, Asociación Armonía — the species’ population has slowly climbed. Seventy-six Blue-throated Macaw chicks have fledged from artificial nest boxes — a significant contribution to the species’ total population of about 450 birds.

What kind of birds live in Bolivia?

Endemic Birds of Bolivia. Blue-Throated Macaw. The first bird on the list is the blue-throated macaw, which grows to around 33 inches in length and has a 3-foot wingspan. The blue-throated macaw is characterized by its bright blue upper body and wings and bright yellow chest, stomach, and cheeks.

How did the blue throat macaw get its name?

The Blue-Throated Macaw earned its name, and its nickname “barba azul” or “blue beard” because of the blue markings on its throat. These birds have bright blue bodies with striped markings on the face and a blue “beard” that extends below the jaw.

Do blue throated macaws bite?

They are not inclined to bite nor are they not excessively loud, as many of the other macaws can be. The Blue Throated Macaw is quite content to entertain itself especially if given plenty of chewing materials. These qualities make them a wonderful pet or aviary bird.