Touting Sprouting
A WORD FROM THE INVENTOR OF THE SPROUTAMO
Red Fronted Macaws
Meet the Flock
Red Fronted Macaws
Our First Red Fronted Macaw
In the last twenty or so years we have raised only a dozen of the most exceptional macaws in our experience. Granted, we are a bit prejudiced, but when frequently asked to name our favorite bird, we both agree that is has to be the Red Fronted Macaw. Unfortunately because of it ‘s rarity in the aviculture world and in the wild, not many people have had the pleasure of interacting with one. When we found the two remarkable birds that started us on this adventure, we had never heard of a Red-Fronted, yet alone thought of breeding them.
Bird Marts were not quite the same twenty years ago and parrot owners not nearly as educated as they are now. In our naiveté , Bill and I walked into the Pomona Bird Mart on a Sunday. Like a child in a candy store, I was ooing and awing over every new parrot in sight when Bill called me over to look at a basket of what looked like partially feathered drab olive grey birds already developing a longer tail than most of the birds in our experience. The breeders operating the booth said that they had brought pictures of the parents, because no one would believe what the babies would look like in 2-3 years. Having heard that one should never buy a bird from a public bird show, we took a card and thought “sure, we’ll never think about it again.” Except. That we kept talking about the strange little parrots that we had seen. And the next day, we decided to go look at what was called “The Bird Walk” in Ontario_. Long gone now, the enterprise was the dream of a young couple who had moved to California to relocate their flock of breeding birds in big flight aviaries that the public could observe and enjoy.
We saw more of the remarkable olive grey babies and sure enough ended up buying a 6 month old boy that entertained us all the way home with his strange antics and clown-like behaviors. There is another chapter to this story called “When Fluffy Met Muffy” and that’s how this remarkable experience pictured here began.
Little was written about the Red-Fronted Macaws in the early 1980’s. No internet or google to research the topic. But, fortunately, we were new members of the AFA , American Federation of Aviculture and seemed to remember an article in a recent edition of Watchbird.
Years before the movie Jurassic Park was released, these two were affectionately called our Velociraptors. When we first saw the movie we were thankful that our Velociraptors were only about a poun
More Information about Red Fronted Macaws in Bolivia
The Red-fronted Macaws (Ara rubrogenys) – also known as Lafresnaye’s or Red-cheeked Macaws – are medium-sized, highly endangered macaws found in South America. Less than a thousand of them still exist in the wild (some estimates list as few as 150 surviving birds).
Within their natural range, their numbers have been decimated by …
- loss of habitat due to conversion of their habitat to agriculture and because of intense grazing;
- harvesting of important food trees for fuel and charcoal forces these parrots to forage on agricultural crops instead, leading to their persecution by farmers;
- ingestion of pesticides applied to crops
- illegal trapping for the pet market.
However, they have been doing quite well in captivity and are reproducing successfully. Even though one can’t consider them “common” – domestic-bred birds can usually be found.
In the wild, these parrots are generally social and always found in groups, except during the breeding season, when pairs separate from the flocks.
Outside the breeding season, they are usually seen in small flocks of 3 to 5 individuals; or even up to 30 when foraging or roosting. Roosting birds are often seen in playful interactions, such as pecking at each other, beak wrestling and fencing, alternating jerks of the body while on branches, and tossing objects to each other. These powerful fliers can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 km / hour).
Their life expectancy ranges from 25 – 50 years
Distribution / Habitat
Red-fronted Macaws occur naturally in the small semi-desert mountainous area of south-central Bolivia, South America, where they are found on the east Andean slope at elevations from 3,600 – 8,860 feet (1,100-2,700 meters).
Their range stretches from south Cochabamba valley and western parts of the department of Santa Cruz through northern Chuquisaca to north-east Potosí. The largest populations are found in the valleys of Ríos Grande, Mizque, Caine and Pilcomayo.
They inhabit subtropical, xerophytic thorny scrub with many cacti, scattered thorny trees and scrub, in a climate that semi arid with cold nights and hot days. This is the only macaw species living in such a climatic zone.
Due to capturing for the pet market and hunting by local farmers, who consider them crop pests, the population of Red-fronted Macaws has declined considerably over the years taking this species close to extinction in the wild.
In 2011, during a survey 130 pairs were counted, of which 67-86 were breeding and the rest – about 545 individuals – consisted of immature birds or non-breeding adults. Thus the total population at that time was about 805 individuals (A. Rojas, F. Hiraldo and J. L. Tella in litt. 2012).
Description
Red-fronted Macaws measure 21.5 – 25 inches (~ 55 – 63.5 cm) in length – including the tail; and have a wingspan of about 32 inches (81 cm).
They weigh between 15 – 19.4 oz (425 – 550 g).
The plumage is mostly green, except for the orange-red forehead and crown (hence this species’ common name), a red patch over the ears, red “shoulders”, medium-blue to teal-colored primaries (longest wing feathers) and reddish thighs. The olive-green tipped tail ranges from green to teal-blue, except for the underside of the tail, which is yellow.
There is a little bare patch of pale skin around the eyes. The large beak is greyish-black, the feet are grey, and the eyes orangey.
Males and females look alike.
Juveniles
Juveniles either the lack the orange-red patches on the forehead or crown or these patches are diminished. The wings are entirely green and the thighs are green with an orange tinge. Their eyes are brown and the tail is shorter.
Diet / Feeding
Their diet consist of seeds, nuts, fruits (such as the fruits of the Jatropha hieronymii), vegetables and various vegetation – including grasses and cacti, from which they also obtain a lot of the water they need in their dry habitat. They also often chew on sticks or tree bark.
In some areas, they also feed on cultivated crops, such as groundnuts and unripe maize, resulting in them being hunted and killed by local farmers.
Breeding / Nesting
Red-fronted Macaws form close, lifelong monogamous pair-bonds and even outside the breeding season affectionate behavior between them can be observed, such as mutual preening, nibbling each other’s face feathers or grasping their mate’s beak – even copulation.
They only nest once a year and that occurs mostly between October and April.
Most other macaw species nest in tree cavities, but since their natural habitat often lacks suitable trees, they usually nest in crevices of undisturbed, steep-sided cliffs of river-side canyons and rocky gorges, although one small population was observed breeding in palms.
A clutch may consist of 1 up to 3 eggs which are incubated for about 26 days to hatching.
Both parents tend to the nest and the chicks, and once the young have fledged, the young and their parents usually join large flocks and most activities, such as feeding and roosting, are performed communally until the next breeding season, when pairs are getting ready to nest again at which time they will separate from the flock.
Even though these parrots are not generally territorial, breeding pairs will defend the area immediately surrounding the nest.
Calls / Vocalizations / Sounds
Their calls, given in flight or at rest, are described as musical and high-pitched notes, shrills, ringing and growls and some squeaks, but lacking the harsh, screechy quality of other larger macaws. Pairs may sing in duets, beginning with one loud squawks and declining into soft coos and chuckles.
Brown Necked Parrots
Formerly known as Cape Parrots they are now called Brown-Necked Parrots to distinguish them from the much rarer, forest dwelling subspecies Poicephalus robustus. We have been breeding these delightful parrots also known as Poicephalus fusicolis for 20 years and hatched two males in April of 2023. They are now weaned and ready for new homes .
For more information call Judy at 818 404-0096.
Red Fronted Macaws
Meet the Flock
Red Fronted Macaws
Our First Red Fronted Macaw
In the last twenty or so years we have raised only a dozen of the most exceptional macaws in our experience. Granted, we are a bit prejudiced, but when frequently asked to name our favorite bird, we both agree that is has to be the Red Fronted Macaw. Unfortunately because of it ‘s rarity in the aviculture world and in the wild, not many people have had the pleasure of interacting with one. When we found the two remarkable birds that started us on this adventure, we had never heard of a Red-Fronted, yet alone thought of breeding them.
Bird Marts were not quite the same twenty years ago and parrot owners not nearly as educated as they are now. In our naiveté , Bill and I walked into the Pomona Bird Mart on a Sunday. Like a child in a candy store, I was ooing and awing over every new parrot in sight when Bill called me over to look at a basket of what looked like partially feathered drab olive grey birds already developing a longer tail than most of the birds in our experience. The breeders operating the booth said that they had brought pictures of the parents, because no one would believe what the babies would look like in 2-3 years.Having heard that one should never buy a bird from a public bird show, we took a card and thought “sure, we’ll never think about it again.” Except. That we kept talking about the strange little parrots that we had seen. And the next day, we decided to go look at what was called “The Bird Walk” in Ontario_. Long gone now, the enterprise was the dream of a young couple who had moved to California to relocate their flock of breeding birds in big flight aviaries that the public could observe and enjoy.
We saw more of the remarkable olive grey babies and sure enough ended up buying a 6 month old boy that entertained us all the way home with his strange antics and clown-like behaviors. There is another chapter to this story called “When Fluffy Met Muffy” and that’s how this remarkable experience pictured here began.
Little was written about the Red-Fronted Macaws in the early 1980’s. No internet or google to research the topic. But, fortunately, we were new members of the AFA ,American Federation of Aviculture and seemed to remember an article in a recent edition of Watchbird.
Years before the movie Jurassic Park was released, these two were affectionately called our Velociraptors. When we first saw the movie we were thankful that our Velociraptors were only about a poun
More Information about Red Fronted Macaws in Bolivia
The Red-fronted Macaws (Ara rubrogenys) – also known as Lafresnaye’s or Red-cheeked Macaws – are medium-sized, highly endangered macaws found in South America. Less than a thousand of them still exist in the wild (some estimates list as few as 150 surviving birds).
Within their natural range, their numbers have been decimated by …
- loss of habitat due to conversion of their habitat to agriculture and because of intense grazing;
- harvesting of important food trees for fuel and charcoal forces these parrots to forage on agricultural crops instead, leading to their persecution by farmers;
- ingestion of pesticides applied to crops
- illegal trapping for the pet market.
However, they have been doing quite well in captivity and are reproducing successfully. Even though one can’t consider them “common” – domestic-bred birds can usually be found.
In the wild, these parrots are generally social and always found in groups, except during the breeding season, when pairs separate from the flocks.
Outside the breeding season, they are usually seen in small flocks of 3 to 5 individuals; or even up to 30 when foraging or roosting. Roosting birds are often seen in playful interactions, such as pecking at each other, beak wrestling and fencing, alternating jerks of the body while on branches, and tossing objects to each other. These powerful fliers can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 km / hour).
Their life expectancy ranges from 25 – 50 years
Distribution / Habitat
Red-fronted Macaws occur naturally in the small semi-desert mountainous area of south-central Bolivia, South America, where they are found on the east Andean slope at elevations from 3,600 – 8,860 feet (1,100-2,700 meters).
Their range stretches from south Cochabamba valley and western parts of the department of Santa Cruz through northern Chuquisaca to north-east Potosí. The largest populations are found in the valleys of Ríos Grande, Mizque, Caine and Pilcomayo.
They inhabit subtropical, xerophytic thorny scrub with many cacti, scattered thorny trees and scrub, in a climate that semi arid with cold nights and hot days. This is the only macaw species living in such a climatic zone.
Due to capturing for the pet market and hunting by local farmers, who consider them crop pests, the population of Red-fronted Macaws has declined considerably over the years taking this species close to extinction in the wild.
In 2011, during a survey 130 pairs were counted, of which 67-86 were breeding and the rest – about 545 individuals – consisted of immature birds or non-breeding adults. Thus the total population at that time was about 805 individuals (A. Rojas, F. Hiraldo and J. L. Tella in litt. 2012).
Description
Red-fronted Macaws measure 21.5 – 25 inches (~ 55 – 63.5 cm) in length – including the tail; and have a wingspan of about 32 inches (81 cm).
They weigh between 15 – 19.4 oz (425 – 550 g).
The plumage is mostly green, except for the orange-red forehead and crown (hence this species’ common name), a red patch over the ears, red “shoulders”, medium-blue to teal-colored primaries (longest wing feathers) and reddish thighs. The olive-green tipped tail ranges from green to teal-blue, except for the underside of the tail, which is yellow.
There is a little bare patch of pale skin around the eyes. The large beak is greyish-black, the feet are grey, and the eyes orangey.
Males and females look alike.
Juveniles
Juveniles either the lack the orange-red patches on the forehead or crown or these patches are diminished. The wings are entirely green and the thighs are green with an orange tinge. Their eyes are brown and the tail is shorter.
Diet / Feeding
Their diet consist of seeds, nuts, fruits (such as the fruits of the Jatropha hieronymii), vegetables and various vegetation – including grasses and cacti, from which they also obtain a lot of the water they need in their dry habitat. They also often chew on sticks or tree bark.
In some areas, they also feed on cultivated crops, such as groundnuts and unripe maize, resulting in them being hunted and killed by local farmers.
Breeding / Nesting
Red-fronted Macaws form close, lifelong monogamous pair-bonds and even outside the breeding season affectionate behavior between them can be observed, such as mutual preening, nibbling each other’s face feathers or grasping their mate’s beak – even copulation.
They only nest once a year and that occurs mostly between October and April.
Most other macaw species nest in tree cavities, but since their natural habitat often lacks suitable trees, they usually nest in crevices of undisturbed, steep-sided cliffs of river-side canyons and rocky gorges, although one small population was observed breeding in palms.
A clutch may consist of 1 up to 3 eggs which are incubated for about 26 days to hatching.
Both parents tend to the nest and the chicks, and once the young have fledged, the young and their parents usually join large flocks and most activities, such as feeding and roosting, are performed communally until the next breeding season, when pairs are getting ready to nest again at which time they will separate from the flock.
Even though these parrots are not generally territorial, breeding pairs will defend the area immediately surrounding the nest.
Calls / Vocalizations / Sounds
Their calls, given in flight or at rest, are described as musical and high-pitched notes, shrills, ringing and growls and some squeaks, but lacking the harsh, screechy quality of other larger macaws. Pairs may sing in duets, beginning with one loud squawks and declining into soft coos and chuckles.
Hahns Macaw
Meet the Flock
Hahns Macaw
The smallest of the Macaw’s, Hahn’s is an endearing character with much to recommend it. In size and breeding biology, this Macaw is more closely aligned with the Conures.
Intelligent and charming, Hahn’s macaws are naturally popular pets. Potential owners need to be aware, however, that while they may be small, they pack all the personality of a larger parrot into that tiny bundle of feathers. This can lead to many fun-filled hours as you enjoy their spirited antics.
Green Wing Macaws
Meet the Flock
Green Wing Macaws
We are no longer breeding these gentle giants of the Macaw family, but enjoy reliving our history with these beautiful creatures in the gallery to follow. Occasionally, a Green Wing Macaw will be in need of a new home. Please subscribe to our email list to remain updated.
Macaws
Meet the Flock
Macaws
We have several species of Macaws, some of which are extremely endangered and not encouraged as pets. At various times in our booth we will show Blue Throated, Red Fronted, Green Wing, Blue and Gold and Scarlet Macaws. These are some of the large Macaws, all of which are either highly endangered or declining in numbers in the wild. We also will be showing
Lovebirds
Meet the Flock
Lovebirds
We raise a variety of well-socialized lovebirds. Shown here are two of our lavender babies. Please check with us for availabilty.
Jardines
Meet the Flock
Jardines
The Jardine’s Parrot is one of the larger parrots of the genus Poicephalus. Like other African species they are characterized by a rather prominent beak and squarish tail. The adults reach an average length of about 11 inches.). With a combination of their medium size and healthy energy levels, it is necessary for them to have a lot of free space to move around, and of course, a roomy and large cage. The males and females are completely identical and differentiated only by DNA testing.
Loved for their intelligence and funny, affectionate personality, Jardine’s make a great family companion. They are cuddly without being clingy, totally laid back and capable of happily spending time on their own occupied with their toys.
As is almost common with all the parrots from the African continent, the Jardine’s Parrot is also a fairly good talker. They are not generally noisy parrots, but they do have a loud natural call that is rarely heard.
We have been breeding these delightful parrots for almost twenty years. Because of their popularity in aviculture we do have a waiting list, but please contact us if you’re interested in one of our babies.
Loved for their intelligence and funny, affectionate personality, Jardine’s make a great family companion. They are cuddly without being clingy, totally laid back and capable of happily spending time on their own occupied with their toys.
As is almost common with all the parrots from the African continent, the Jardine’s Parrot is also a fairly good talker. They are not generally noisy parrots, but they do have a loud natural call that is rarely heard.
We have been breeding these delightful parrots for almost twenty years. Because of their popularity in aviculture we do have a waiting list, but please contact us if you’re interested in one of our babies.