ENDANGERED MACAWS
At this point in time, the only species not endangered in the wild is the
Blue and Gold Macaw. Macaws are in trouble for a number of reasons, mostly
due to deforestation, Macaws nest high up in trees, into which they gnaw a
nesting hole. With the removal of the trees from the forests, the competition
for nesting sites becomes very great, and crowded conditions occur. With many
of the high nesting sites gone, some Macaws roost lower, and the babies are
then subject to predation by animals which would not normally be able to get
to the babies. Many Macaws are on the CITES appendix 1, which means no LEGAL
exportation of the bird may occur at all.
FEEDING
At Flamingo Park all our birds in the Flight Aviary are fed a very special
diet. This consists of a healthy fruit salad together with seeds and nuts.
A special treat is willow branches.
Macaws & Parrots
There is probably no other bird so colourful as the Macaw -
these birds are among the most beautiful and largest members of the parrot
family. Their natural range encompasses a large portion of Central and South
America.
Most of the Macaw species tend to be five things, big and loud, and loud and
big, and demanding! They are smart birds and need lots of attention. The Macaws
are also vigorous chewers - chewing
is the Macaw's favourite hobby.
· That a parrot has feelings of
love, hate and jealousy?
· That every parrot needs a
natural partner?
· That only 10 out of a hundred
parrots learn to talk?
· That most parrots die from the
same disease as man?
(stress, too much fat and too
little exercise)
· That of all species the parrots
are most threatened by
extinction?
· That many parrots have more
than 5 different owners
because they can get very
old and can live up to 70
years and longer?
