Blue & Gold Macaw

NAME:

Blue & Gold Macaw

ZOO NAME:

Fiasco & Poppy

CLASS:

Aves

ORDER:

Psittaciformes

GENUS:

Ara

SPECIES:

Ararauna

LENGTH:

30-33″ Tall, 20″ Tail, 41-45″ Wingspan

WEIGHT:

2-3 Lbs

LIFESPAN:

Up to 50 years in captivity

DIET:

Herbivores. Eat berries, nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables.

RANGE

South America; Eastern Panama through Columbia, Ecuador, and Brazil.

HABITAT

Inhabits forests and tall palms growing in swamps or along water courses.

CHARACTERISTICS

Green forehead, upper part of body brilliant blue; sides of neck and upper parts of body are golden yellow, black around the chin and cheeks, naked skin of cheeks is pinkish-white with lines of very small, isolated black feathers.

BEHAVIOR

Macaws are wary birds and usually avoid human contact. They have a declined or disappeared in populated areas (by humans). In the forest, they can be found in communal roosting sites at night. They fly close together, wings almost touching. Generally seen flying above the forest canopy or feeding among branches of tall trees. The macaw’s plumage blends in with the rays of sunlight and the blue shy. They are completely dependent on trees for their food. They can fly as far as 15 miles to feed. The macaw has a massive beak which is hinged to allow it to crush the toughest nuts. The macaw also uses its beak to help it climb. Its feet have toes that point forward and backward, which enable it to grasp food and to grip while climbing. The long tail is used for balance.

REPRODUCTION

Reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age. They nest high above the ground in cavities found in large, dead trees. Only two white eggs are laid with the female incubating for 25 days. On hatching, the young are blind and almost naked. The eyes open after 7-14 days. At first only the female feeds the young; but, after about a week, the male joins in.

THREATS

Loss of habitat & illegal pet trade.