Blue and Yellow Macaw

Also called the Blue And Gold Macaw!!!!!!

• Location and Habitat Blue and yellow macaws are found in Panama and throughout the northern regions of South America. They live in less dense rainforests and prefer to make their nests in hollowed trees. They can also be found near swamps or rivers and in palm trees.

• Diet Blue and yellow macaws are herbivores. They eat a variety of fruits, nuts and seeds. They especially enjoy seeds from the Hura crepitans tree.

• Size and Description Blue and yellow macaws are large birds, weighing up to 2100 grams. Their striking colors make them popular pets. They have a golden yellow crest with bright turquoise-blue wings and tail feathers. The top of the head is green. Their faces are white and black and they have a large, powerful black beak. When they get excited, their white faces will sometimes appear pink. Reproduction

• Blue and yellow macaws seem to mate for life. Mated pairs can be seen flying extremely close together within the flock. Macaws will make their nests in the hollows of dead trees, where they will lay 2 or 3 eggs. The mother will incubate the eggs while being fed and cared for by the father. The eggs must incubate for approximately 24 – 26 days, and hatchlings will be born blind, featherless, and helpless. The parents will only raise the strongest chick. After approximately 13 weeks, the young bird can leave the nest. It will be able to reproduce when it is 3-4 years old!

• Other Facts Blue and yellow macaws are popular pets, highly prized for their beautiful colors and intelligence. Unfortunately this has caused a dramatic decrease in their numbers in the wild due to illegal trapping for the pet trade.

FACTS

BY: ELSA KLETSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!