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Blue-throated Macaw
The Blue-throated Macaw is a bird endemic to a small area of north-central Bolivia known as Los Llanos de Moxos. Recent population and range estimates suggests that ca. 120 individuals remain in the wild. The main cause of their demise is capture for the pet trade to supply the aviculture in USA and Europe. It is currently considered critically endangered by BirdLife International. Several breeding and conservation schemes in zoos have now been set up to save this species. Other projects have been started to protect the remaining wild population, but at present numbers are still decreasing.
It is not a forest dwelling bird, but lives in the savanna of the Beni Department of Bolivia, nesting in "Islas" (islands) of palm trees that dot the level plains. It weighs ca. 750 g (27 oz) and is 85 cm (33 in) long. Their colours are vivid with turquoise-blue wings and tail, and bright yellow underparts. They have a large black bill, a long tail, a bare blue-streaked white face, and dark grey irises. It can be separated from the similar-looking Blue-and-yellow Macaw by the blue (not black) throat, the blue (not green) forehead and the lack of contrast between the remiges and upperwing coverts. In the wild these species often compete over nesting-holes, with the Blue-throated Macaw typically losing due to its slightly smaller size.
They are relatively easy to breed in captivity, and there is quite a large captive population in the USA.
Individuals are kept in several zoos around the World, among them the Santa Cruz zoo in Bolivia.
Ornithologists and birders wishing to see this bird in the wild can make arrangements with several eco-tour companies located in the nearest large town, which is Trinidad.
References
Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is critically endangered, and the criteria used
External links
Blue-throated Macaw videos on the Internet Bird Collection
ARKive - images and movies of the blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis)
Stamps (for Paraguay) with RangeMap
Blue-throated Macaw photo gallery VIREO
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Blue-throated Macaw
