Facts and Features of South and Central America Macaw

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Family: Psittacidae

Genre: Arini

Scientific Name: Arini

Type: Bird

Diet: Omnivorous

Size (H): 77cm ​​- 101cm (30in - 39in)

Spread: 87cm - 141cm (34in - 56in)

Weight: 0.8 kg - 2 kg (2 lbs - 4.4 lbs)

Maximum speed: 24 kmh (15 mph)

Life Span: 50-60 years

Lifestyle:Flock

Condition: In Danger

Color: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green,White

Skin Type:Feathers

Favorite food: Fruit

Habitat: tropical jungle and rainforest

Normal chick size: 2

Prey also: fruits, nuts,Seeds, insects

Attackers: humans, monkeys,large birds

Distinguishing features:Coloured feathers

The macaw is a colorful parrot found in South and Central America.There are 17 species of macaws are found in the rainforests of South America.Many different species of macaws are considered today as the endangered animals.

The macaw is an omnivore and feeds on nuts,fruits along insects,eggs and small mammals and reptiles.The macaw is known to sleep through the night means that the macaw is a diurnal animal and in morning flies long distance for  finding  food.

This is one of the largest parrot species around the world,with the average adult macaw grows to over a meter in height.The macaw is well known for its wide variety of brightly colored feathers are often found in colors including blue,red,yellow and green.

Macaws have become very popular as pets and there is a thriving black market of some of the rarest breeds of macaw which contributes to their endangered status.Populations decline was also due to reason that the natural  habitat is being destroyed by deforestation,that is happening throughout Central and South America at an rapid rate.

The macaw has a large and powerful beak which helps to break the shells of nuts and seeds more easily. Like other species,macaws have four toes on each foot,with two toes in front and two toes facing backwards.This adaptation of the foot helps the macaw to grip the prey and tree branches more easily and allows it to perch on the trees without sliding.

Macaws are known to be very sociable birds and intelligent and often seen together in large groups of up to 30.Macaws communicate with each other using voice calls as squawking and screaming.Some species of macaws are even known to copy human sounds .

The macaw is one of animals around world are known to have the same breeding partner till death.Macaw couples do not breed together,but share their food and help to groom each other.When the female has laid her eggs (usually 2, but generally more) sits on her eggs to incubate them while the male  hunts and collect food for both.The chicks are born after a month.

Macaws are known by in humans areas where they live and have been known to be hunted by local tribes for their brightly colored feathers.It is also highly respected and even appears in a Brazilian bank notes.

Facts and Features of Kakapo

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Nestoridae
Genre: Strigops
Scientific Name: Strigops habroptilus
Type: Bird
Diet: Omnivore
Size: 50-60cm (19.7-24in)
Weight: 2-4kg (4,5-9 pounds)
Life: 50-65 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Preservation Status: Endangered
Color: Green, Brown
Skin Type: Feathers
Favourite food: Rimu fruit
Habitat: Areas of natural vegetation and the dense jungle
Average Litter Size: 2
Main Prey: Rimu fruit, flowers, roots, seeds
Predators: Humans, Cats, Stouts,rats
Distinguishing features: large body size and can not fly

The kakapo is one of the largest species of parrot in the world with the average adult kakapo grows to about 60 cm tall. The kakapo is the heaviest parrot species and due to this weight the kakapo is one of the few species of birds that can not fly.

The kakapo is found in  the forests of New Zealand and not found anywhere else in the world .It is believed that once thrived in  New Zealand habitat due to the fact that there were no mammals that hunt the kakapo , and this is thought to be another reason why the kakapo has evolved into a bird relying on ground.

Like many other species of animals found in the islands of New Zealand , the kakapo was of great importance to members of the local tribes and the kakapo appears in many tales and local folklore .The local people kill  the kakapo for their meat and feathers use to make clothes .

Due to the fact that the insecured kakapo was hunted by native and introduced predators such as cats , rats stout by European settlers , the kakapo population has been almost wiped out under 150 believed to have been  in early part of 2009 .The kakapo is now regarded as one of the critically endangered animal species on the earth.

The kakapo has short wings for its size and because it can not fly, the wings are used to help balance and for support when hopping around trees. The kakapo also uses its wings to help break its fall when the kakapo jumps to ground from the lower branches of the trees.

As with all other species of parrot, the kakapo has large scaly feet with two toes forward and two toes facing backwards. This helps the kakapo  to capture  tree branches when the kakapo is perching on them and together with the long, sharp claws of kakapo , kakapo assists in climbing trees .

The kakapo has a primarily herbivorous diet , eating seeds , nuts, fruits , berries and flowers. However, the kakapo is classified as an omnivore as the kakapo is known to eat insects and small reptiles from time to time . The kakapo is particularly fond of the fruit of the rimu tree and kakapo are known to feed exclusively on rimu fruit when they are in abundance.

The kakapo has large brown eyes and it is because of their big eyes that the kakapo is known as the owl parrot often. The shape of the head and beak of the Kakapo also redirects to the reason why the kakapo parrot is known as the owl.

During the mating season , male kakapo are often looking for a female partner and attract one using loud screams and elaborate signs . The Kakapo only breed in years when there is an abundant supply of food, so the kakapo breeding process can be slow. Kakapo breed later in life than most birds , the kakapo male reaches sexual maturity around 5 years and the kakapo woman may be almost 10 years before they can reproduce.

Kakapo tend to live very long lives with the average individual kakapo reach around 60. However, it is not uncommon for kakapo become much older and many individuals kakapo goes almost 100 years old .