Did you know that macaws are mate for life?

The Amazonian rain forest is a bird lover's paradise, home to over a thousand different species, including the blue-and-yellow macaw. Macaws are highly intelligent, mate for life and can live up to 60 years.  Their loud calls echo through the forest canopy. Macaws vocalize to communicate within the flock, mark territory, and identify one another. Macaws typically mate for life. They not only breed with, but also share food with their mates and enjoy mutual grooming. In breeding season, mothers incubate eggs while fathers hunt and bring food back to the nest.

There are 17 species of macaws, and several are endangered. Hyacinth, red-fronted, and blue-throated macaws are seriously endangered. The glaucus macaw and Spix's macaw may already be extinct in the wild. The beautiful color and pattern of their feathers make them a popular species in the illegal pet trade, which has devastated populations of wild exotic birds.