Birds.com: Online Birds Guide with Facts, Articles, Videos, and Photos » macaw

Macaw Mountain Bird Park – A Haven in Honduras

Editor — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:13:51 +0000

Consisting of nine-acres of old growth forest, the Macaw Mountain Bird Park & Nature Reserve offers visitors the opportunity of viewing a wide variety of tropical birds in their natural environment. Located near the town of Copan Ruinas in Honduras, the large flight aviary is home to just about all the species of parrots and toucans to be found in this beautiful South American country, and many of its feathered inhabitants are so tame that visitors are able to interact with them at leisure.

While providing a haven for rescued, abandoned and endangered birds, the Macaw Mountain Bird Park is dedicated to educating the public about these beautiful animals and their vulnerability caused mainly the by destruction of their natural habitat. In a region known for its excellent birding opportunities, the Macaw Mountain Bird Park offers an unforgettable bird watching experience. Visitors to the park will enjoy strolling along the network of pathways which allow easy access to the entire area throughout the year. Interaction with the park’s birds allows visitors to appreciate their beauty and intelligence, while at the same time being made aware of the obstacles and dangers they face in the wild, which have brought many species to the brink of extinction.

Quite a number of the parrots and macaws found in the park were at one time household pets, but oftentimes people who buy these birds have no idea how long they live – parrots have a lifespan or 50 to 60 years and macaws can live for a century – or that because of their intelligence they require a lot of attention. So, when the birds become too much to handle at home, they are donated to sanctuaries such as the Macaw Mountain Bird Park & Nature Reserve. Birds to be seen in the park include the scarlet macaw, buffon’s macaw, green-winged macaw, yellow-lored Amazon, white-fronted parrot, red-lored parrot, mealy Amazon, yellow-crowned Amazon, white-crowned parrot, olive-throated conure, red-throated parakeet, keel-billed toucan, chestnut-mandibled toucan, grey hawk and great-horned owl.

The Copan region of Honduras is home to more than 330 species of birds representing 51 families, and has become a popular destination for keen birders from around the world. Although birds can be seen in the wild in the vicinity of the park, bird watchers should include Macaw Mountain Bird Park in their itinerary to experience up-close interaction with the birds of Honduras.

Tropicana Bird Show 2010

Editor — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:17:20 +0000

When in Las Vegas, birding enthusiasts should not miss out on the opportunity to see Meko, Mango, Mariah and Dorothy perform live, with bird trainer Tiana Carroll. This colorful and highly entertaining group, has audience members in fits of laughter and amazement, as Meko (Congo-African Grey Parrot) and Dorothy (Yellow-Nape Amazon), perform their duet version of How Much is That Doggie In The Window. Meko (Moluccan Cockatoo), shows off his rollerblade and motorbike skills, while Mariah (Green-Winged Macaw) assists Tiana throughout the show.

The show takes place at the Tropicana, at 11 am, 12:30 pm and again at 2 pm. It is an exotic bird show for the entire family to enjoy.

Date: Every Day
Venue: Tropicana
City: Las Vegas, Nevada
Country: United States of America

Mid-South Exotic Bird Fair 2009

Editor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:48:45 +0000

Exotic bird breeders and avian experts will be attending the Mid-South Exotic Bird Fair in Memphis, on 28 and 29 November 2009. A host of exotic birds will be on display, and visitors to the bird fair will be able to ask for advice and gain knowledge in regard to the care and nutrition of these wonderful birds. Visitors will be able to purchase nutritional products, toys, bird cages and exotic birds such as finches, cockatoos, African greys and macaws.

To find out more about the fair and its exhibitors, contact organizers on 901-603-9927 or visit the bird shows website at www.birdshows.com.

Date: 28 – 29 November 2009
Venue: S.W. Tennessee Community College
City: Memphis, Tennessee
Country: United States of America

RAAVE Bird Expo 2009

Editor — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:39:34 +0000

Visitors to the RAAVE Bird Expo will most certainly hear the call of the wild the moment they enter the doors to the hall. Birds of all shapes, sizes and colors will be on display this year, and visitors will be able to marvel at a variety of species, from small finches to massive parrots such as the macaw. The expo does not only offer visitors the opportunity to view magnificent birds, but has a great number of vendors selling toys, birds, cages and bird related accessories.

To enjoy a day of birding splendor, bird enthusiasts are advised to make their way to the RAAVE Bird Expo which is guaranteed to have something for everyone. For more information in regard to the expo visit the website at http://www.go-reno.com/raave/calendar2.html.

Date: 12 September 2009
Venue: Reno Livestock Event Centre Exhibition Hall
City: Reno
Country: United States of America

The Long Island Parrot Society’s Parrot Expo 2009

Editor — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:50:36 +0000

Parrot lovers will enjoy The Long Island Parrot Society’s Parrot Expo 2009, as colorful birds such as macaws, lovebirds and budgies will be stealing the show. The expo will be focusing on the care of birds with many avian and veterinarian experts hosting workshops and talks. The Vendor Room will again be filled with stalls featuring the latest products in nutrition, cages, toys and much more. Bird lovers should not miss out on this paradise for parrots.

The Long Island Parrot Society website offers comprehensive information on the society, the expo and future events at www.liparrots.org.

Date: 3 October 2009
Venue: Freeport Recreation Centre
City: Freeport, New York
Country: United States of America

Mini Macaws Make Magnificent Pets

Editor — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:34:32 +0000

Aspiring bird owners often think that a Macaw will make the perfect pet bird. But after a bit of research they find that these larger parrots require a lot of care and effort, mainly due to their size. If that is a concern that you have, you may want to consider a Mini Macaw instead. These beautiful birds are every bit as striking and full of personality as their much larger counterparts – but they’re far easier to care for!

Mini Macaws cost less, are quieter and take up less space than their larger counterparts – but without sacrificing their beautiful plumage or fascinating personalities – in fact they can even be better talkers. These birds are generally hand-raised as babies and, while they are capable of entertaining themselves, they also enjoy playing with their human friends. They are also great comics and provide hours of entertainment.

There are several species of Mini Macaws that are commonly available as pets. These are: Ara auricollis (yellow collared), Ara severa, Diopsittica nobilis (red shouldered), Ara nobilis nobilis and Ara nobilis cumanensis. Each one is different from the other and has different color combinations in its plumage. Less common Mini Macaws include: Ara maracana Illiger’s, Ara manilata (red-bellied) and Ara couloni (blue headed). However, none of these are very appropriate pets for various reasons.

Mini Macaws are active, curious and intelligent. When left to their own devices you’ll see them hanging, climbing and swinging on whatever toys may be available to them. They simply love playing with almost anything imaginable, so you’ll have an unending variety of items available to you to use as toys, without even having to buy any from the pet shop. Mini’s also generally love bathing and seem to quite enjoy taking a shower with their humans – provided the water isn’t scorching hot of course! If you don’t want to share your shower you should definitely make sure to give them a bath regularly otherwise they’ll use their water bowls and do it themselves. They are easy to potty train and a variety of suitable foods are readily available for them at most pet stores. They also tend not to be as noisy as their larger cousins but they do have noisy moments. They excel at learning new words and phrases and will quickly respond to any training they receive.

Clearly Mini Macaws are a great option for someone looking to invest in a feathered friend. However if you do decide to get one, beware – breeding pairs may be cheaper but they do not make good companion birds! Mini Macaws can also get jealous quite easily, so if you have other birds you will need to ensure that this trait is carefully watched.

Parrots International Symposium 2008

Editor — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:39:18 +0000

The fourth annual Parrots International Symposium, to take place on 31 May and 1 June 2008, will have the theme “Parrots of the Caribbean“. This increasingly popular symposium, which will take place on board the HMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, is hosted by Parrots International with the aim of increasing knowledge about wild and companion parrots through the sharing of information on parrot conservation and field research.

Parrots International is an organization of volunteers with a wide range of experience, talents, knowledge and education. This enthusiastic team is dedicated to the conservation of any endangered parrot species, as well as to improving the welfare of all parrots in the wild. All knowledge gained through research efforts serves to benefit these beautiful birds, whether they are in the wild or household companions.

Parrots International Symposium 2008 is being co-sponsored by the UCLA Center for Tropical Research and the UCLA Institute of the Environment, with all proceeds going directly to the support of parrot related conservation projects. Participants in the Parrots International Symposium will have the opportunity to attend lectures by renowned experts and dedicated researchers from South America, the United Kingdom, Bonaire, Trinidad, various European countries, the Bahamas, Belgium, and different regions in the United States.

Parrots International Symposium 2008 will kick off on the Friday evening, 30 May, with a Speakers Reception. This promises to be a fun-filled evening of renewing old friendships and making new friends among like-minded people who have the welfare of parrots at heart. Dr. Mark L. Stafford, the President and co-founder of Parrots International, is a dentist by profession, but has a conservation background with BA degrees in both Environmental Studies and Environmental Biology. Dr. Stafford and his wife Marie devote much of their time and resources to visiting and evaluating conservation projects, and participants can enjoy Dr. Stafford’s presentation on projects that Parrots International are involved in.

Lectures will be presented by nineteen experts during the two-day symposium and participants can look forward to discussions on various research and conservation projects, including the Tambopata Research Project, the Gabriel Foundation, Yellow-shouldered Amazon Project and the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Project. Topics that will be presented include parrot behavior, an update on the status of the Blue-throated Macaw, the risks of introduced parrots to island populations, the translocation of the Kuhl’s Lory, the reintroduction of the blue-and-gold Macaw to the Nariva Swamp in Trinidad, threatened parrots of Colombia and the Avian Flu Task Force.

Other features of the Parrots International Symposium 2008 include poster presentations, a banquet, silent auctions and loads of stunning prizes. Bird-lovers are sure to enjoy the Parrots International Symposium 2008, which promises to be both highly entertaining and educational – all with the focus on benefiting one of the world’s most popular group of birds.

Bird Watching in Peru

Editor — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:54:05 +0000

Bird watching in Peru is an unbeatable experience and one that will leave even the most seasoned bird watcher awestruck. Peru is the destination of choice for many international birders, and for good reason. Peru is home to 120 endemic species of birds, with no fewer than 42 new species being recorded in the past 30 years. Over 1,800 bird species have been recorded to date – including the endemic species – and researchers believe that the list will continue to grow as they explore new areas.

Of the 104 different life zones that have been identified throughout the world, 84 occur in Peru. This land of contrasts – from dry forest and desert areas found at the coast to the various forests in the lowlands along the Amazon and the majestic snow-capped Andes Mountains – supports abundant, and often unique, flora and fauna. Some of the species that bird watchers exploring Peru can expect to encounter include 127 species of hummingbirds, 135 species of tanagers, 120 species of ovenbirds, 107 species of typical antbirds, 254 species of tyrant-flycatchers, 50 species of parrots and macaws.

Appreciating the natural treasures that exist in Peru, the authorities have established approximately 13% of the country as protected areas. These protected areas form a network of 58 reserves and sanctuaries. Environmental awareness is continually being promoted in Peru, with the result being that rivers and streams are being cleaned up and coastal lagoons are being reclaimed. An example of the benefits of these efforts can be seen in the Chaparri Ecological Reserve, which was established by the community of Santa Catalina de Chongoyape. This protected dry forest area has become home to a species of bird that was long thought to be extinct, the white-winged guan.

Serious birders that go to the effort of negotiating their way through a bog located at 14,000 feet in the Andes are likely to be rewarded with by sighting a rare white-bellied cinclodes – an exciting prospect, bearing in mind that researchers believe there are only 28 of these birds in the world. Patient bird watchers visiting the area of Cordillera Azul should look out for the rare and recently discovered scarlet-banded barbet. Migratory birds from as far away as Patagonia and the North Pole use areas of Peru as a stop-over or to spend the summer months. This proves to be an added bonus for bird watchers, as they stand a good chance of seeing additional bird species that are temporary residents.

The spectacle of a multitude of colorful noisy birds flitting from tree to tree, or a majestic Andean condor soaring overhead defies description, and the choice of where to go and what to see can be a difficult one. Certainly bird watching in Peru is never boring and is a rewarding way for any birder to spend their time.

Pet Bird Species: Macaws

Editor — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 09:48:06 +0000

Why Macaws? Macaws are understandably popular pets. They have spectacular colors. They have dramatic long tails. They can mimic human words and music. They also bond strongly with their human companions, providing constant affection and entertainment.

Are Macaws the right pet for you? Macaws should never be an impulse purchase. Their long lifespan (up to 50 years) make them a far more binding commitment than a dog or a cat. Macaws are more than a pet – they are a lifetime member of your family.

Macaws need lots of attention. In the wild, they bond strongly with one other macaw. Caged birds look to their human owner for this companionship. Without regular quality time, pet macaws can become depressed, or even ill. Depressed birds may pull out their feathers, become aggressive, or begin screaming constantly.

Even happy macaws love to be noisy, especially in the morning. It’s a natural part of their day, but may be difficult to live with in small apartments, with sensitive neighbors. Macaws also love chewing things, and love to solve puzzles, including how to unlock a locked cage!

Choosing and purchasing a macaw. Popular macaw species include the Scarlet Macaw, the Blue and Gold Macaw, and the army-green Military Macaw. Prices vary- rarer species are more expensive, such as the spectacular, electric-blue Hyacinth Macaw. Many macaws are endangered in the wild- in part because they are often illegally captured to be sold as pets.

Purchase a macaw from a breeder, previous owner, or reputable pet store. They can ensure you aren’t getting a wild-caught bird. They’ll also make sure you get a well-socialized companion to join your family.