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Re: Ara ararauna (AKA Blue & Gold Macaw)
Endangered Macaws
Right now, today, the only species not endangered in the wild is the Blue and Gold Macaw. Macaws are in trouble for a number of reasons, but mostly due to deforestation. Macaws nest high up in dead trees, where they gnaw a nesting hole. With the removal of trees from the forests, the competition for nesting sites becomes very great, and crowded conditons occur. With many of the high nesting sites gone, some macaws roost lower, and the babies are easy prey by animals who would not normally be able to get to the babies.
Macaws in the wild do not have a high reproductive rate, because of the time it takes to raise a baby. The loss of one baby really has an impact.
Hyacinth Macaws have run into trouble because they are specialized feeders, and the palm trees which they feed on are being destroyed.
Scarlet Macaws and Red Fronted Macaws are also on the endangered list.
Some macaws are nearly extinct.
The Spix's Macaw has only seven surviving in captivity, with one wild bird left.
Many macaws are on the CITES appendix I, which means no LEGAL exportation of the bird may occur at all. Please be aware of this, and make sure you have a domestic baby, because if it's not, it's very likely smuggled. Smuggling is a problem with the Red-Fronted Macaw.
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