Blue And Gold Macaw (Ara ararauna) Endangered Species! Very low numbers are left in the wild. Blue And Gold Macaws are at risk of extinction within the next ten years. The Blue and Gold Macaw is not a species of bird which is native to the Australian country side. The Blue and Gold Macaw is very easily recognised by its stunning golden chest, large white cheek patch and its beautiful blue back and tail. One of seven species inhabiting the Amazon Basin, the Blue and Gold Macaw is definitely one of the worlds more stunning parrots. Unfortunately this species is suffering a great deal in the wilds of South America. Habitat destruction and collection for the illegal pet trade are the two major problems facing macaws with thousands of acres of territory being cleared and almost one million parrots being caught out of the wild annually, means that these truly stunning birds are definitely going to need as much help as possible from us if they are going to survive for future generations to see. Belonging to the parrot family, the Blue and Gold Macaw will quite often be seen in very large flocks, even mixing with a range of other species with no conflict at all. Each individual has a unique pattern of feathers on the bare patch of skin on its face. This can almost be used as a fingerprint to identify individual birds. Habitat Like all of the macaws this particular species can be found inhabiting a vast range of the forests in and around the central northern regions of South America. Diet Like all of the macaws, this particular species is very adept at utilising its rather large beak to break into even the toughest nut and delicately remove fruits and berries from the jungles of South America to survive. Bird Size Of the sixteen species of macaws found throughout this region, the Blue and Gold is definitely up there in regards to parrot size. Averaging between 900 and 1200 grams and with a body length of almost two feet, this particular species belongs to one of the most well recognised group of birds any where in the world.