Blue Throated Macaws

Blue throated macaws are in fact a very new species in American aviculture. The very good news is that they are proving to be very productive for breeders here in the U.S. and as a result are finding there way into the pet market. This species is quite rare in it's natural habitat and apparently is critically endangered. It has been estimated that only 300 to 350 individuals are left in the wild. They are a protected within their range of distribution which is very small in comparison to other macaw species. They are thought to be endemic (only found) to a flatland area in Bolivia called the Beni savannah.

Major Problems

There are three major problems facing the Blue Throated Macaw that I can see based on their current situation. First problem is that they are an endemic species, meaning that they are only found up until now in a very small area. This is similar to an island species that is only found on a small island. The second problem is that they are not a forest dwelling parrot where their habitat and nesting areas would be protected by huge ravines or hillsides that are unusable to farmers or land developers. Because they are found in the flatlands, and nest in palm tree clusters, they are very susceptible to farming and land development that would threaten their food source and their nesting areas. The third problem is that they are competing with the larger more abundant Blue and Gold Macaw for valuable nest sites.

What is being done

From what I have found there are a few aviculturist working with the species to help generate more birds here in captivity. This is a noble task and should be commended, nonetheless, it will do nothing for the birds in their natural habitat in Bolivia. What it will do is help keep the species alive and available in american aviculture. True conservation of the species within Bolivia needs to be done in Bolivia. The latest information is that Armonia/ loro parque fundacion is spearheading the pure and true conservation of the species in Bolivia. These conservation efforts are being led by Mauricio Herrera. Notably, an organisation in Texas called Bird Endowment is breeding Blue Throated Macaws in a conservation effort, but more importantly is providing a way to help increase nest box availability in Bolivia by allowing people like me and you to become "beni factors." This means that for every 250.00 dollars donated an artificial nest will be constructed and placed in the range of the Blue Throats. Interestingly they are marking the nest box with the dona tor's initials and keeping track of what happens within each nest box each year. Sounds fun! but conservation is not without its challenges. Of the 40 some nest boxes that have been placed over the past two years only 4 or 5 have been used by the Blue Throats. Ironically the Blue and Gold Macaw has been detrimental to the success of the program by using 24 of the boxes provided. Unfortunately the more common Blue and Gold is in competition with the endangered Blue Throats for nesting sites. A perfect example of two like species occupying the same niche. If left unchecked the natural consequence of such a situation is that one species is either forced to extinction or adapts by finding a new niche that does not entirely overlap with the dominant species. Such an adaptation historically is rare. A huge abundance of nest boxes could help the situation but ultimately an alternative nesting arrangement needs to be found. This could be as simple as height at which the nest is placed by doing a study to find if there are differences in acceptable nesting heights by Blue and Golds and Blue throats, or it could prove to require more thought and research.

In closing

The Blue Throated Macaw is a fabulous species, definitely, worth the efforts being made to save it both in american aviculture as well as in its' native habitat. People are getting involved and things are being done which is very encouraging. A huge amount of time and resources will be needed in Bolivia for the Loro park foundation to be successful. If you want to help check it out

http://birdendowment.org/inbolivia/nidoadoptivo.shtml