Cart Is Empty
In issue 314 -
Beakiating parrots use their beaks to swing from branch to branch. By GrrlScientist
In issue 314 -
The Great Green Macaw – conservation and aviculture. By Rosemary Low
In issue 314 -
What kind of enclosures for our birds? Complete Psittacine by Eb Cravens
In issue 314 -
Mixed fortunes for native psittacines in southern Haiti. By David Waugh, Correspondent, Loro Parque Fundación
Subscribe To Parrots Magazine - Don't miss a thing

Red-fronted Macaw colony thrives in Andalucia

Parrots magazine 149

Jan Tomlinson talks to Pauline James

The striking and exuberant Red-fronted Macaw (Ara rubrogenys) is the smallest, and one of the lesser known large macaws in captivity, and almost looks like a combination of the mostly green, but beautifully marked Military or Buffon’s Macaw and a Red-masked Conure. The wing-colouring and voice is more conure-like, but the facial feathering and black beak is definitely that of a macaw!

But, these delightful birds with their giant-sized helpings of personality and extraordinary charisma are in danger of being lost forever, unless their fortunes can be rapidly turned around in the wild, and a viable population built-up in captivity. On the plus side, many of the major parrot collections worldwide now keep the Red-fronted Macaw, and over the last few years, have been reporting good breeding results.

But, in central Bolivia, the natural habitat of the Red-fronted Macaw is the most restricted range of all the macaws left in the wild, and since 1983 this species has been listed on CITES Appendix I, as ‘Endangered.’ But the good news is that an important nesting site and 124 acres of crucial Red-fronted Macaw habitat was purchased in 2008 by Asociación Armonía, and is now being vigorously protected, as they work tirelessly to save this species - now down to 800-1,000 individuals - from extinction.

So, due to their short supply, and their dire situation in the wild, the Red-front tends to be mainly in the hands of experienced and specialist breeders who are striving to create sustainable, genetically-diverse captive flocks. And Jan, originally from the UK, but now living in Andalucia, Spain, is one such breeder, and has kept Red-fronted Macaws for many years. Her oldest pairing is now 24 years old and have been breeding for 18 years, although they are down to just one clutch per year now.

Read more in the magazine…

Buy a copy now!

BACK

Promotions

Newsletter

Subscribe Now

Subscribe to parrots magazine

Subscribe today to the best most widely read magazine for parrot lovers.

 
 

Our Address

Parrots magazine is published by
Imax Visual Ltd, West Building,
Elm Grove Lane, Steyning BN44 3SA

Telephone +44 (0)1273 464777
© Parrots magazine 2023