• 1 Distribution of Macaw
• 2 Physical characteristics of the Macaw
• 3 Macaw feeding
• 4 Macaw reproduction
• 5 Scarlet Macaw Extinction Threat
• 6 How to download or listen to macaw songs

Distribution of Macaw

Found exclusively in Brazil, from western Maranhão to southeast Amazonas, and also south of the Amazon River, east of the Madeira River, northeast of Rondônia and the extreme north of Mato Grosso. It is also found in the low lands of the Amazon River channel and on the edge of the Central Plateau.

Physical characteristics of the Macaw

This species is 34 centimeters long. Its feathers are predominantly bright yellow in color with shiny green wings. It has a large gray beak, light pink rings around the eyes, brown irises, and pink legs. The males and females have an identical outer appearance. The chicks have predominantly green plumage, the rings around the eyes are light gray and the legs are brown.

Macaw feeding

Their diet is quite varied and includes castor seeds, oily fruits, mangoes, cashew nuts, anani, murici, papaya, jabuticaba, açaí, flowers, corn, cellulose, bud, nectar, husks, and coconut.

Macaw reproduction

The reproduction system of the Macaw in nature is almost unique among Parrots. The couple receives help from the group of up to 40 individuals, who will raise and protect the young. This behavior is less common when they breed in captivity as they often abandon their young after three weeks.

Sexual maturity begins at the age of three. The Macaw is a faithful bird, always staying with the same companion, even living in flocks. The breeding season starts in November and runs until February. The courtship between the couples involves the mutual combing of the plumage. The copulation lasts about two minutes and then the couple dedicates themselves to exploring the region, trying to find a good place for the nest.

The nests are made in a tall tree with a cavity of more than 2 m deep and several entrances. The macaw female will lay an average of 4 eggs. They aggressively guard the nest, especially due to the attacks made by toucans, monkeys, maras, and snakes.

The incubation will be rolled between the male and the female. The duration is about 30 days. As the nest is collective, the laying and hatching take place asynchronously. The couples start feeding the puppies at around 6 am, and this process will occur around 8 times throughout the day.

When arriving with the food the adults start to vocalize and this behavior alerts the young. Macaw cubs approach the entrance and also start vocalizing. In the first years of sexual maturity, macaws tend to lay 6 to 8 infertile eggs. In captivity, they resume reproduction when their young are removed from the same environment. When the macaw is going to breed, it changes its vocalization, which is “crá, crá, crá”, starting to shout “cuó, cuó”.

The golden parakeet golden conure is golden-yellow medium-sized  interior northern Brazil

The threat of Extinction of the Macaw

Due to the attractiveness of its plumage, the species is being hunted illegally to supply the pet trade. The exploitation of its habitat with the intense deforestation by logging companies and the frequent flooding has significantly hampered its development.

In some cultures, the macaw is considered a pest, because its food is based on cultivated corn, and for this reason, they are hunted for food or as “time passes”. The population of the ararajuba in the wild is estimated at just 1,000 to 3,000 individuals and is declining.

How to download or listen to macaw songs

You can download the corner of the ararajuba on our website, for that just click with the right button on the name of the corner, then click on “Save Link As …” and choose the place where it will be saved. You can also listen, just click on the play button.

Corner of the Macaw Golden Parakeet

https://african-parrot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Canto-da-Ararajuba.mp3

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