Blue and Gold Macaw

(Ara ararauna)

Max arrived in 2012 from a private donor.

• Macaws are native to South America and thrive in forests, tall palms, and swamps.
• Their diet includes seeds, fruits, nuts, and berries, and they nibble on riverbank clay to counteract toxins.
• Blue and Gold Macaws are large, with males reaching 34 inches and capable of exerting 40 pounds of pressure with their beaks. They are more intelligent than some other parrot species and are known for their monogamous bonds.
• They face population threats from habitat loss due to human development and agriculture, as well as illegal international trade, though legal protections have reduced imports.