The endangered Lear's Macaw.
Credit: American Bird Conservancy
Credit: American Bird Conservancy
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The Lear's Macaw is critically endangered. In 1987, the colorful bird was on the brink of becoming extinct. At that time, only 70 birds were left in the wild. However, scientists are now seeing a lot more of the bright blue parrot. That is because of conservation efforts to protect the bird's natural habitat. The parrots live on a nature reserve. Scientists recently counted more than 750 birds there.
Threats to the Macaw
Over the years, the biggest threat to the Lear's Macaw was illegal smuggling of eggs and young birds. The smugglers were selling the macaw to exotic pet collectors around the world for thousands of dollars per bird.
"It's a criminal activity which is aimed at trying to steal these parrots from the wild," says Michael Parr, Vice President of the American Bird Conservancy, a group that works to save wild birds in North and South America. "Fortunately, most of the illegal activity has been stopped. But we can't afford to lose any birds. Each one is critical to the population."
Another threat to the Lear's Macaw is the loss of licuri palm trees. Licuri palm nuts are the parrot's main food source. Farmers and their cattle have moved to the area where the palm trees grow. "The palms are being trampled by cattle," explains Parr. "The young trees are having a hard time growing."
A Brazilian conservation group is working to fix that problem. The program recently bought the land that the farmers owned. "[The conservation group] is going to move the cattle off of the area and start replacing more palms," says Parr.
A Brighter Future
Wildlife experts will continue to protect the Lear's Macaw and work to restore their habitat. "Parrots live for a long time. That has enabled the bird to keep reproducing," says Parr. "The small number of birds managed to survive. Now with protection, the chicks have flourished." He goes on to say that, "It's a survival story. They still face threats, but the situation has changed dramatically. Things are looking much brighter for the Lear's Macaw."
Think About It
Links
- For the American Bird Conservancy, go to www.abcbirds.org.
- Learn about birds at: nationalzoo.si.edu.
- Learn about other endangered animals at www.worldwildlife.org
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