Macaw

Macaws are a group of large, colorful parrots known for their bright feathers and long tails. They belong to a special group of birds called New World parrots, which live mainly in South and Central America. These birds are very popular as pets and companions, but they also face some dangers in the wild.

Macaws are strong and intelligent birds. They can talk and make many different sounds. Because they are so beautiful and interesting, some people take them from the wild to keep as pets, which can hurt their populations. Many people work hard to protect these wonderful birds and their homes.

Biology

Macaws are a group of large, colorful parrots that belong to several genera, including Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Primolius, Orthopsittaca, and Diopsittaca. They live in places like Central America, Mexico, South America, and were once found in the Caribbean. Macaws are known for their large beaks, long tails, and special facial feathers that make each one look unique, much like a fingerprint.

Some of the biggest macaws include the hyacinth, Buffon's (great green), and green-winged macaws. There are also smaller types called mini-macaws. Like other parrots, macaws have a special way of walking on branches with two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward.

Species in taxonomic order

Further information: List of macaws

There are 19 species of macaws, including some that are critically endangered or extinct. Some possible extinct species have been suggested, but there is very little evidence to support their existence.

The known macaw species include:

• Anodorhynchus
  • Glaucous macaw, Anodorhynchus glaucus (critically endangered or extinct)
  • Hyacinth macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
  • Indigo macaw or Lear's macaw, Anodorhynchus leari
• Cyanopsitta
  • Little blue macaw or Spix's macaw, Cyanopsitta spixii (considered extinct in the wild)
• Ara
  • Blue-and-yellow macaw or blue-and-gold macaw, Ara ararauna
  • Blue-throated macaw, Ara glaucogularis
  • Military macaw, Ara militaris
  • Great green macaw or Buffon's macaw, Ara ambiguus
  • Scarlet macaw or Aracanga, Ara macao
  • Red-and-green macaw or green-winged macaw, Ara chloropterus
  • Red-fronted macaw, Ara rubrogenys
  • Chestnut-fronted macaw or severe macaw, Ara severus
  • †Cuban red macaw, Ara tricolor (extinct)
  • †Saint Croix macaw, Ara autochthones (extinct)
• Orthopsittaca
  • Red-bellied macaw, Orthopsittaca manilatus
• Primolius
  • Blue-headed macaw, Primolius couloni
  • Blue-winged macaw or Illiger's macaw, Primolius maracana
  • Golden-collared macaw, Primolius auricollis
• Diopsittaca
  • Red-shouldered macaw or Hahn's macaw, Diopsittaca nobilis

Some possible extinct species have been suggested based on very little evidence. These include:

• Martinique macaw, Ara martinica, Rothschild 1905
• Lesser Antillean macaw, Ara guadeloupensis, Clark, 1905
• Jamaican green-and-yellow macaw, Ara erythrocephala, Rothschild 1905
• Jamaican red macaw, Ara gossei, Rothschild 1905
• Dominican green-and-yellow macaw, Ara atwoodi, Clark, 1905

Extinctions and conservation status

Many macaw species are now endangered in the wild, and a few have disappeared altogether. The Spix's macaw is most likely no longer found in its natural habitat, and the glaucous macaw is also thought to be extinct, with only a couple of sightings reported in the past century. The main threats to macaws come from rapid deforestation and illegal trapping for the pet trade.

International rules protect macaw trade. All macaw species are monitored under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. Some, like the scarlet macaw, are in Appendix I and cannot be sold commercially. Others, like the red-shouldered macaw, can be traded with certain controls in place.

Hybrids

See also: Hybrid macaw

Sometimes macaws are crossed to create new types for pets. One common hybrid is the blue and gold macaw. Other popular hybrids include the harlequin (Ara ararauna × Ara chloroptera), miligold macaw (Ara ararauna × Ara militaris), and the Catalina (called the rainbow in Australia, Ara ararauna × Ara macao). Rare hybrids, such as between the hyacinth macaw and larger Ara macaws, have also been observed in captivity.

Diet and clay licks

Macaws eat a variety of foods including seeds, nuts, fruits, palm fruits, leaves, flowers, young shoots, and stems. Safe vegetables for them include asparagus, beets, bell peppers, broccoli, butternut, carrots, corn on the cob, dandelion greens, collard greens, hot peppers, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini. In the wild, some macaw species travel long distances to find food.

In the western Amazon, macaws often visit river banks to eat clay. Scientists have studied this behavior and found that the macaws prefer clay that contains sodium, which is important for them because it is scarce in their environment. This behavior is most common during the breeding season, when parents feed clay to their nestlings. Some scientists think the clay might also provide vitamin B₁₂, which is important for the birds.

Relationship with humans

Macaws and their feathers have fascinated people for a very long time, especially in ancient civilizations like the Inca, Wari', and Nazca. Their bright, beautiful feathers were prized for their color and were often used in decorations and special ceremonies. People also traded these feathers widely. In South America, weavers used macaw feathers to make colorful textiles, including special clothing pieces called tabards. However, because feathers are delicate, many of these old creations have started to break down over the years.