The Large by Bob E/gas Sun Valley, OR

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Buffon's Macaws painted by Bob Elgas.

A beautiful Bob Elgas painting qfthe Blue-throated .

hroughout the world there are be referred to as "the living dead" for, more than 350 dl.:;tinct essentially they have little future other of . Whe1J. compared with the than inevitable extinction. (Since Elgas eight species of swans, or the 15 species wrote this, we have learned that there of cranes, it is obvious that the psittacine are two Spix's in the wild and 31 in cap­ family is large. Not only are parrots tive breeding situations. Editor's note.) colorful but many are spectacular. The Lear' .Macaw Among the most impressive are the leari which is similar to the Hyacinth macaws. These large, long tailed, bright­ Macaw, has a total wild population of ly colored are truly inspirational. approximately 60. Not only is their sta­ It was once said that a macaw was tus in the wild precarious but they are the Rolls Royce of the world. Few very rare in captivity. With a population would object to the comparison. so small the future of the Lear's·, at best, The future of many parrots, includ­ is somber. The ing a number of macaws, is in jeopardy. Anodorhynchusglaucus, a variety very Already many are gone. The Cuban, or similar to the Lear's, has been unrecord­ Little Red Macaw, was exterminated ed for years, and indeed may already be more than 100 years ago. The Spix's extinct. Macaw, Cyanopsitta spixii may no There is considerable concern for the longer exist in the wild. The few that Hyacinth Anodorhynchus hyacinthi­ have been preserved in captivity are, nus which is the largest macaw, and unfortunately, too frequently main­ indeed the largest of all parrots. It is con­ tained as single individuals having no sidered the most magnificent of the In this painting Bob Elgas has depicted the association with others of their own kind, psittacine family. Historically, Hyacinth unique colors and shape ofthe Hyacinth thus with no opportunity to breed and Macaws existed in vast numbers. More Macau). perpetuate the species. Sadly they can recently, however, populations have

4 September/October 1996 declined dramatically. So much so that lish self-sustaining populations. It is as orized they were a race of Blue and there is concern that wild populations yet unclear if the captive population is Golds in which the juvenile plumage was could be exterminated within the fore­ sufficiently large to maintain a viable gene different from the adult. The supposi­ seeable future. As might be imagined pool. tion was that upon gaining maturity they contributing factors, among others, The , as described would revert to normal Blue and Gold have been habitat destruction and ille­ above, is a smaller and less brightly col­ plumage. This has been disproven and gal capture for the pet trade. As a result ored cousin of the Buffon's Macaw. it is now recognized they are a separate of their spectacular appearance and Although the two are similar in appear­ species unique unto themselves. In gentle nature (they are frequently ance, each is considered a separate addition to being considerably smaller referred to as "the gentle giants" of species. The name Military is because than Blue and Gold Macaws, the blue the macaw world), they have always of the green coloration which is simi­ color is more greenish in tone. The been highly sought after. Hyacinths lar to that ofmilitary uniforms. They have entire crown is blue, lacking the green are rather well established in captivity, been kept in captivity for many years, fore crown of the Blue and Gold. The and are being bred with reasonable and have frequently bred. They have feathers lining the face are much thick­ frequency. If breeding programs are never enjoyed the same popularity as er and the expanse of bare skin on the properly managed these splendid birds other macaws, partially because they are lower jaw is much smaller. Whereas the could become well enough established less brightly colored than some and, per­ Blue and Gold has a black bib at the to ensure their survival. As is true with haps, because they have sometimes throat, the Blue-throated Macaw has a any rare species, captive reared offspring been described as having a dull per­ much larger patch extending down­ should not be sold as pets, but should sonality. I find this inappropriate since ward toward the chest. This throat be placed in appropriate breeding facil­ the Militaries with which I have been patch is bluish rather than black, giving ities. associated have been anything but dull. rise to the name glaucogularis; glauco, Another species which is not abun­ In my own home, living on a large meaning blue, and gularis, meaning dant is the Buffon's, or Great Green stand, is "Thumper," a wonderfully gullar or throat. Because of the dark Macaw ambigua. Its natural range exciting Military Macaw who is Mr. feathering of the head and throat, which is somewhat restricted, being confined Personality Plus. There isn't a youngster gives the impression of a hood, an to areas of Central America and portions in our community who doesn't know appropriate name might well have of western South America. Because its Thumper, and who is not familiar with been hooded macaw. Little is know of plumage is similar to that of the Military the assortment of entertaining tricks their status in the wild. As previously Macaw Ara militaris, it is frequently he has perfected. Thumper loves recog­ noted, they are native to parts ofBolivia, misidentified as being a member of nition, and after completing his reper­ but populations are small. In a recent that species. Although the plumage is toire he hangs by his toenails and claps publication released by Cornell similar, there are important differences. his wings vigorously, encouraging University, an institution well known for The Buffon's is substantially larger than everyone to applaud. Personality? its ornithological program, it was report­ the Military. Both birds are basically Thumper is loaded with it. Don't sell ed that a flock of 17 Blue-throated green. However, the Buffon's is more Military Macaws short. Macaws had recently been discovered brightly colored, being a handsome Although Militaries are still being in a remote area of . Because of yellow green as opposed to the dark­ reared in captivity, in view of declining the rarity of the birds, the precise loca­ er tones of the Military. During years past, populations there needs to be a greater tion is being held secret to prevent when importations were allowed, emphasis on captive breeding. exploitation. Before importations were Buffon's Macaws were occasionally Of particular interest is the Blue­ discontinued, a few of these little entered into the country. They did not throated or Caninde Macaw Ara macaws made their way into the United generate special interest, and were glaucogularis. Until recently they were States, some ofwhich were incorporated often sold as Militaries. As recently as not well know. Outwardly they resem­ into breeding programs. They are cur­ a dozen or so years ago importers ble Blue and Gold Macaws, and it is rently being bred in several facilities, and offered them for as little as $300, cer­ probable they stem from a common offspring are being transferred to addi­ tainly a much different price than that ancestor. They are smaller than Blue and tional breeders. Hopefully, with careful prevailing today. Recently there has Golds, and have significantly different management, populations will be been an escalation of interest in them, head markings. They are primarily increased to a level which will allow and a number of breeders are suc­ native to Bolivia, which is also the them to sustain themselves. The status cessfully rearing young. Hopefully, it southernmost range of Blue and Gold ofthe Blue-throated Macaw, both in the might be possible to eventually estab- Macaws. Some taxonomists once the- wild and in captivity, is precarious. afa WATCHBIRD 5 ~.:;~R'C~.+....~~_... AMERICAN FEDERATION OF AVICULTURE !!:~ ~~ _ 'Ifie Mission oftlie 5'I.:F5'I. is to Promote tlie 5'l.avanament of5'l.vicu[ture. "'o+~ c.~ 1996 OFFICERS OF R"~ LAURELLA DESBOROUGH, President 510-372-6174/ fax 510-372-0306· ROBERT 1. BERRY, Executive Director 713-434-8076 / fax 713-433-3731 RICK JORDAN, 1st Vice President 610-683-5701/ fax 610-683-9333· GARY CLIFTON, 2nd Vice President 602-830-4920/ fax 602-995-1707 JIM HAWLEY, JR., Chief Financial Officer 602-838-4770/ fax 602-987-3389 • JAMI KENNEDY, Secretary 805-252-0437 GARY LILIENTHAL, Legal Counsel, Vice President, AFA office, P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, AZ 85079-6218 602-484-0931/ fax 602-484-0109 MEMBER NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZAnONS: JERRY McCAWLEY, Specialty Regional Vice President Phone / fax 717-560-7978 American Budgerigar Society· Amazona Society· American Cockatiel Society, Inc.• American Lory Society Asiatic Parrot Society· Avicultural Society of America· International Parrotlet Society National Cockatiel Society· National Finch & Softbill Society· Pionus Breeder Association· Waxbill Parrot-Finch Society MEMBER CLUBS NORTHEASTERN Real Macaw Parrot Club FLORIDA/P.R. OHIO Bayou Club REGION Ruffled Feathers REGION State coordinator: Capitol Area Avicultura1 Society PENNSYLVANIA Louisiana Aviculture Society Gulf Linda S. Rubin, regional v.p Dwight Greenberg, regional v.p. Dianne Holloway 419-636-3882 State coordinator: South Bird Club 617-469-0557 fax 617-469-0368 407-631-9800 fax 407-6324338 Classic Feathers Lorraine Smith 215-348-7423 MISSOURI CONNECTICUT FLORIDA (CENTRAL) Golden Crescent Cage Bird Club Central Pennsylvania Cage State coordinator: State coordinator: Great Lakes Bird Lovers Club Bird Club State Coordinator: Paddy Lamben 314-962-8186 Bob Sunday 203-525-8338 Miami Valley Bird Club Chester County Avian Society Suzanne Myers 813-689-7262 Gateway Parrot Club Cormecticut Association for Mid-American Exotic Bird Society Delaware Valley Bird Club Central Florida Bird Breeders Greater Kansas City Avicultural Aviculture, Inc. Northwest Ohio Exotic Bird Club Erie Cage Bird Club Greater Brandon Avian Society Society MAINE WISCONSIN York Area Pet Bird Club Imperial Bird Club Missouri Cage Bird Association State coordinator: State coordinator: VIRGINIA Sunshine State Cage Bird Society OKLAHOMA Margaret Fisher 207-935-3732 Gloria Scholbe 414-496-1441 State coordinator: Treasure Coast State coordinator: Maine State Caged Bird Society FLORIDA (NORTH) Avian Insights Bird Club Dawn Kopf703-594-3841 Cream City Feathered Friends Gary Blankenbiller 405-691-3553 MASSACHUSETTS State coordinator: Commonwealth Avicultural Society Kenosha Exotic Bird Club Central Oklahoma Bird Club State coordinator: Kay Boyer 904-454-1635 National Capital Bird Club Wisconsin Cage Bird Club, Inc. Oklahoma Avicultural Society KatWeen Viewig 617-739-2733 Parrot Breeders Association of Emerald Coast Avian Society TEXAS (NORTH) Gainsville Bird Club Aviculturists of Greater Boston,lnc Virginia State coordinator: Birds of a Feather Aviculture Florida West Coast Avian Society NORTH CENTRAL Tri-State Bird Club Linda Smith 817-790-8015 Society WEST VIRGINIA West Pasco Exotic Bird Club REGION Exotic Cage Bird Society of New West Florida Avian Society James McCabe, regional v.p. Cleburne Bird Society State cpordinator: Dallas Cage Bird Society England Jacksonville Bird Club fax Alexis Seifert 304-866-3433 612-753-5241 612-753-6772 Fon Worth Bird Club Massachusetts Cage Bird Assn. FLORIDA (SOUTH) IOWA Cen-Tex Bird Society Northeastern Avicultural Society State coordinator: State coordinator: NEW HAMPSHIRE SOUTHEASTERN Kathleen Szabo 305-258-2377 TEXAS (SOUTH) Monica Sudds 712-642-4578 State coordinator: State coordinator: REGION Aviary & Cage Bird Society of Beakers Wanda Elder, Regional v.p. Southern Florida Mid America Cagebird Society Alamo Exhibition Bird Club Birds ofa Feather Avicultural Society 901453-9988 fax 901-853-7030 Tropical Cocktiel MINNESOTA Capitol City Cage Bird Club New Hampshire Avicultural Society ALABAMA South West Florida Avian Society State coordinator: Gulf Coast Bird Club Coastal Bend Cage Bird Club NEW YORK State coordinator: Steve Estebo 612-432-4758 Panhandle Aviculture Society San Antonio's Feathered Friends State coordinator: Minnnesota Companion Bird Katherine Levine 205-881-4809 West Florida Avian Society Triangle Bird Breeders Club Kristine Amantea 914-355-2473 Central Alabama Aviculture Society Association PUERTO RICO Big Apple Bird Association Rocket City Cage Bird Club, Inc NEBRASKA Coordinator: NORTHWESTERN Broome County Caged Bird Club GEORGIA State coordinator: David Negron 809-251-1153 REGION Central New York Caged Bird Club State coordinator: Finger Lakes Cage Bird Association Organi Puenorriguena de Aves Natalie Frumin-Weiss, Sherrie Miller 404-396-7938 Greater Omaha Cage Bird Society Great Rochester Hookbill Assoc. Exoticas, Inc. regional v.p. CSRA Exotic Bird Association NORTH DAKOTA Rochester Cage Bird Club VIRGIN ISLANDS 206-927-6983 fax 206-982-6983 KENTUCKY State coordinator: RHODE ISLAND State coordinator: ALASKA State coordinator: State coordinator State coordinator: Jerry T. Clarke 502-935-5440 SOUTH DAKOTA Diane Patalano 401-885-0267 Central Kentucky Cage Bird Club State coordinator: Mark Lyke 907-346-2008 VERMONT Feathered Friends Society MID-EASTERN Alaska Bird Club State coordinator: REGION Royce King 605-393-1720 MISSISSIPPI Black Hills Cage Bird Club IDAHO Peter Lowry 802-754-6494 State coordinator: Janis Clark, regional v. p. State coordinator: Nancy S. Speed 601-673-8100 517-486-3921 Margie Loewen 208-378-8201 MID-ATLANTIC Central Mississippi Bird Club ILLINOIS SOUTH CENTRAL MONTANA REGION Greater Memphis Bird Club State coordinator: REGION State coordinator: Kayla Snyder, regional v.p. NORTH CAROLINA John Peny 815-962-8224 Laura Lee Neva 406-322-4444 Richard Hazell, regional v.p. 412-369-0908 fax 412-338-7862 State coordinator: INDIANA Great Falls Cage Bird Society 316- 942-8864 fax 316-942-9030 DELAWARE Greg Bacot 919-766-3766 State coordinator: OREGON ARKANSAS State coordinator: Charlotte Metrolina Cage Bird Nicole Vander Heyden, DVM State coordinator: State coordinator: Nancy Selz 302-798-8625 SOUTH CAROLINA 317-786- 1826 Dottie Sheffield 503-564-9179 Jim McGuire 501-965-2427 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA State coordinator: Central Indiana Cage Bird Mid Oregon Bird Club KANSAS State coordinator: Beth Rowan 803-862-2852 Michiana Bird Society Northwest Bird Club State coordinator: Rose City Exotic Bird Club Tom Marshall 703-777-3252 Aiken Bird Club MICHIGAN Palmetto Cage Bird Club ofAnderson Bill Rider 816-452-9310 WASHINGTON MARYLAND State coordinator: TENNESSEE B.E.R.D. State coordinator: State coordinator: Dave Bowman 616-381-5779 State coordinator Arm Arbor Cage Bird Club Kansas Avicultural Society, Inc. Jeri Wright, legislative liaison Debora Ready 410-838-9418 Renea Adams 901-8569696 B.E.A.K S. Northeast Kansas Cage Bird Club 206-838-9802 Southern Maryland Caged Bird Club Sunflower Bird Club Greater Memphis Bird Club Nonh Oakland Cage Bird Club Avicultural Society of Puget Sound NEW JERSEY Saginaw Valley Bird Club LOUISIANA Avis Nonhwest Bird Club State coordinator: Town & Country Feathered Friends State coordinator: Cascade Canary Breeders Assoc. Dan Lanetti 609-386-1435 Jeanne C. Murphy 504-833-4241 Nonhwest Exotic Bird Society Central Jersey Bird Club Acadiana Bird Club South Sound Exotic Bird Society

6 September/October 1996 The Red-fronted Macaw Ara expected to continue and worsen. rubrogenys is a species just recently gain­ In addition to habitat loss, capture for ing recognition. Exclusive of the Spix's the pet trade has also had a serious it is the smallest of the large macaws. impact upon populations. Regulations It also is native to Bolivia, and while it have been enacted in an effort to con­ is considered scarce, it is not as rare as trol such activity. However, many the previous species. Its plumage is species command substantial prices basically green, with a red crown, giv­ and are much sought after. As a result, ing rise to the name. There is also an illegal trafficking still continues. expanse of red feathering on the bend Will wild macaws survive? It is difficult of the wing at the shoulder. Before to imagine they might not. Realistically importations were terminated a number we must recognize that at least some of these little macaws came into the could be lost. Certainly the Spix's and country. A number of facilities have suc­ Lear's Macaws are in a precarious posi­ cessfully bred them, and while they tion. Even the Hyacinth is vulnerable, WESTERN are not reared in quantity, at least they and others, too, are in danger. The REGION have the potential to be established. As thought that even one species could be HAWAII Kelly Tucker, regional V.p. is true with the Military Macaw, they are lost is painful. There is little we as 505-384-5490 fax 505- 384-5441 State coordinator: ARIZONA Joe Baker 808-966-6966 less colorful than others which could individuals can do to alter circum­ Hawaii Parrot Fanciers Inc. State coordinator: result in less interest. It would be unfor­ stances in the wild, but there is much Michelle Rietz 602-973-9282 tunate if we fail to establish them we can accomplish to preserve them in Arizona Avian Breeders Assoc. Arizona Aviculture Society SOUTHERN through lack of interest. They are rare captivity. Properly managed breeding Arizona Seed Crackers Society CALIFORNIA birds needing special attention. programs can contribute substantially to Avicultural Society of Tucson Tropical Bird Fanciers REGION The three remaining species of large captive preservation. Should the worst Yuma-Imperial Exotic Bird Club Aletta M. Long, regional v.p. macaws, The Scarlet Ara macao, Blue scenario occur, in which wild popula­ COLORADO Phone/fax 310-596-7429 and Gold Ara ararauna, and Green­ tions were exterminated, it would be a State coordinator: CALIFORNIA (SOUTHERN) Heidi Hopkins 303421-3344 SAN DIEGO AREA winged Ara chloroptera have wild pop­ tremendous contribution for them to be Front Range Avian Society State coordinator: ulations that are reasonably secure. In preserved in captivity. Rocky Mountain Society of Malty Muschueke 619-468-3201 addition, they are being captive bred with Previously, when importation was Aviculture, Inc. Finch Society of San Diego County NEVADA Hookbill Hobbyists reasonable frequency. With proper legal, there was a continuing supply of State coordinator (acting): Nonh County Avicultunsts husbandry it should be possible to potential breeders. That condition no CALIFORNIA (SOUTHERN) Joanne Edwards 702436-0110 LOS ANGELES AREA maintain self-sustaining populations longer exists. We must now rely on birds Las Vegas Avicultural Society Reno Area Avian Enthusiasts State coordinator: into the foreseeable future. currently in the country which can no NEW MEXICO Jami Kennedy 805-252-0437 Historically macaws existed in large longer be supplemented by importations. Antelope Valley Bird Society State coordinator: Aviary Association of Kern numbers. They are successful We must utilize exi~ting birds wisely, par­ Sandi Brennan 505-281 -7729 East San Gabriel Valley Bird Society normally having the capability of sus­ ticularly those species low in number. New Mexico Bird Club Hemet Valley Bird Society UTAH Long Beach Bird Breeders taining themselves. Aside from humans Those of us breeding rare species must State coordinator (acting): Norco Valley Bird Breeders they have few natural enemies. not sell them as pets, but must transfer Steve Long 801-647-3653 Orange County Bird Breeders WasatchAvian Education Society Santa Barbara Bird Club Unfortunately, human interference has them to other qualified breeders. The WYOMING South Bay Bird Breeders resulted in drastic declines in macaw ultimate goal must be the establish­ State coordinator: South Bay Bird Club populations. Most macaws are native to ment of captive self-sustaining popu­ Lloyd Baily 307-468-2871 South Coast Finch Club Valley of Paradise Bird Club neo-tropical rain forests, with the cen­ lations. Ventura County Bird Club ter of abundance being concentrated in The most successful method for con­ West Valley Bird Society NORTHERN the Amazon basin of Brazil. The Amazon tributing to the preservation of rare CALIFORNIA • Position open: con­ is the world's largest rain forest. As forms is to concentrate on breeding one REGION such it is home to a huge variety ofplants or perhaps tWo species. It is nice to main­ Donna Tondreault, regional vp tact regional vice presi­ I 91~2-905O fax 91~2-0874 dent if interested. and animals, many of which are as yet tain a large assortment which is visually CALIFORNIA (NORTH) unknown. Until recently the rain forests pleasing. However, the potential for •• indicates 2 year \.State coordinator: have remained undisturbed. Unfor­ making a meaningful contribution in pre­ Diane Grindol 408-384-6548 tenn has been fulfilled. If ! tunately they are now undergoing serving rare birds is greatly enhanced Aviary Association no new interested party IButte County Bird Club tremendous transformation. Vast portions when the emphasis is on a specific :Capitol City Bird Society comes forward and indi­ species. Central California Avian Society are being destroyed through clear cut­ Central Coast Avicultural Society cates a desire to serve, ting to divert the land to agricultural use. We do have the capability to breed Contra Costa Avian Society incumbent remains in Unfortunately those lands are not capa­ rare birds and to establish sustaining pop­ I. Foothill Bird Fanciers : Gold Country Aviculture Society position. ble of sustaining agriculture and in a short ulations. While we have the capability Gold Country Bird Society For information about time will no longer produce. When to preserve macaws, we cannot allow Golden Gate Avian Society ourselves to become complacent. Once Model Aviculture Program contacting any of these this happens they are abandoned, and Monterey Bay Cage Bird Club member clubs, please additional forests are destroyed with the a species crosses the threshold of obliv­ Redwood Empire Cage Bird Club ion there is no return. Extinction never Redwood Exotic Bird Society call that club's state coor­ same inevitable result. As the cycle ends, not in a hundred, not in a thou­ Santa Clara Valley Bird Club dinator. continues the rain forests are destroyed, the wildlife disappears, and the land sand years, not ever. Extinction is becomes barren. Sadly this condition is absolute ... it is totally and utterly fmal. +-

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