atulaBlue-Throated Macaws
August 9th 2008 06:12
Today, I was just going through the list of endangered birds in the world and was quite sorry to note how there are so many beautiful bird species that may perhaps not live much longer, thanks to the work of a much bigger species called the human.
So, instead of feeling low, I thought, well there are so many people like me who feel for the natural world as strongly as I do and perhaps a little information about some of the birds and animals can go a long way in saving these species or at least generating awareness about there plight.
Therefore, today I am starting with writing about the beautiful Blue-Throated Macaw, an exotic bird found in Central Bolivia and occasionally in Argentina and it is thought that they once existed in Paraguay, though habitat destruction has ravaged their numbers.
In the wild, these macaws are extremely social and are often found in the company of Blue and Gold Macaws. But nowadays as fate would have it, most of these birds find there home not on treetops but inside cages. Not that they complain about it because these macaws are known to be very docile. Even if they are frightened or excited the most you will hear from them is a single squawk. They rarely ever bite, choosing to flee rather than fight if they feel threatened. They relate to the world by chewing on it, and explore everything with their tongues and beaks, including you. Left to their own devices, Blue-Throated Macaws will entertain themselves for hours with spontaneous acrobatics and one-bird circle races!
These birds are also very good at learning languages and will even talk to themselves if left alone! They love eating pulpy fruits, insects and larvae. And if you think of placing a wood piece in their cage, they will chew it up in no time because they get bored really fast and need some activity to pass their time. If no wood, they might even chew the cage bars so it is always recommended to use a very strong metal mesh enclosure.
Mating season in the wild is usually August to September. The macaws build there nest in huge palm trees and as these are being cut continuously to make more cattle grazing fields, the poor birds are finding it difficult to have a home. This is partly the reason why just about 200 of the blue-throated macaws are left in the wild.
The largest hope for the blue-throated macaws is captive breeding and if you are really in love with your bird, I think it is a very good way to see that the species survives for a little more time. Breeding season usually begins in February in captivity and pairs may be isolated or left in a large aviary. Be careful, because Blue-Throated Macaws may become aggressive at this time! The clutch consists of one to three eggs, which incubate for about four weeks. The hatchlings will be in the fledgling phase for about 90 days while they remain with their parents. During this time, only inspect the nesting box while the parent Blue-Throated Macaws are not present, or they will become quite upset and may injure their eggs. Blue-Throated Macaws may breed twice in a year without problems, but in colder climates will only achieve such fertility if kept indoors. Immature Blue-Throated Macaws have shorter tails and brown eyes.
A bird that is social and docile, a good pet and an accomplished acrobat, has beauty and brain and still left to the mercy of us humans who seem to be just enjoying the company of the bird as long as it lasts and then move on to some other entertainment when the species becomes extinct.
I truly wish we do something more for these charming birds.
So, instead of feeling low, I thought, well there are so many people like me who feel for the natural world as strongly as I do and perhaps a little information about some of the birds and animals can go a long way in saving these species or at least generating awareness about there plight.
Blue-Throated Macaw
In the wild, these macaws are extremely social and are often found in the company of Blue and Gold Macaws. But nowadays as fate would have it, most of these birds find there home not on treetops but inside cages. Not that they complain about it because these macaws are known to be very docile. Even if they are frightened or excited the most you will hear from them is a single squawk. They rarely ever bite, choosing to flee rather than fight if they feel threatened. They relate to the world by chewing on it, and explore everything with their tongues and beaks, including you. Left to their own devices, Blue-Throated Macaws will entertain themselves for hours with spontaneous acrobatics and one-bird circle races!
These birds are also very good at learning languages and will even talk to themselves if left alone! They love eating pulpy fruits, insects and larvae. And if you think of placing a wood piece in their cage, they will chew it up in no time because they get bored really fast and need some activity to pass their time. If no wood, they might even chew the cage bars so it is always recommended to use a very strong metal mesh enclosure.
Mating season in the wild is usually August to September. The macaws build there nest in huge palm trees and as these are being cut continuously to make more cattle grazing fields, the poor birds are finding it difficult to have a home. This is partly the reason why just about 200 of the blue-throated macaws are left in the wild.
The largest hope for the blue-throated macaws is captive breeding and if you are really in love with your bird, I think it is a very good way to see that the species survives for a little more time. Breeding season usually begins in February in captivity and pairs may be isolated or left in a large aviary. Be careful, because Blue-Throated Macaws may become aggressive at this time! The clutch consists of one to three eggs, which incubate for about four weeks. The hatchlings will be in the fledgling phase for about 90 days while they remain with their parents. During this time, only inspect the nesting box while the parent Blue-Throated Macaws are not present, or they will become quite upset and may injure their eggs. Blue-Throated Macaws may breed twice in a year without problems, but in colder climates will only achieve such fertility if kept indoors. Immature Blue-Throated Macaws have shorter tails and brown eyes.
A bird that is social and docile, a good pet and an accomplished acrobat, has beauty and brain and still left to the mercy of us humans who seem to be just enjoying the company of the bird as long as it lasts and then move on to some other entertainment when the species becomes extinct.
I truly wish we do something more for these charming birds.
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Comment by Anne Tootill
The Female View
fish and chip shop in a town called Windsor. Outside the shop in a large cage is a beautiful macaw who belongs to the owner.
One day we saw the owner open the door to the cage and watched in awe as the bird suddenly jumped into the air and swooped down onto his owner's hand, landing on his back, waiting for a tickle. Their affection for each other was touching.
Such a tragedy if they disappear, so beautiful.
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
Thank you for sharing their beauty and plight with us.
Comment by atula
India Jump
defendgreen
atulatalks
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
To think of them becoming extinct because of consumerism and the need for more and more plastic junk around the house and three family SUVs/cars?
More pain than my heart can stand, some days...
The macaws build there nest in huge palm trees and as these are being cut continuously to make more cattle grazing fields, the poor birds are finding it difficult to have a home. This is partly the reason why just about 200 of the blue-throated macaws are left in the wild.
Perhaps everyone should be encouraged by the governments of the world to adopt an endangered species from their country - as a pet - and try to domesticate them before the inevitable?
Not easy for me personally as i am offended when I see a bird in a cage. Cant help it, but if I had my way, no bird would ever be caged, unless it had to be for it's own protection, as in this case. Sadly we will only see so many of these and other birds in captivity in years to come ... well until things change and they can return to re-vegetated wilds ... provided we dont have to eat them all first?
Still perhaps being eaten into extinction is better than being driven there because of so called human progress?
Just such a beautiful heartwarming (yet sad) post, thank you.
Lilla ...
Comment by atula
India Jump
defendgreen
atulatalks
I like your idea of countries adopting a bird...but before governments wake up from their sleep and do something I think people like you and me should come forward to motivate people to adopt birds, take care of them and their environment.....