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| About the MLF |  |
| About Macaws and the Macaw Landing Foundation | |
What Is The Macaw Landing Foundation?
The Macaw Landing Foundation (MLF) Inc. was incorporated in April of 1992
as a 501(c)-3) non-profit organization. We are registered with the IRS
and the Department of Justice., State of Oregon. The foundation is operated
solely by volunteers, which happily allows us to spend all the donated
money entirely on Macaws. (Projects Funded)
The foundation is dedicated to the preservation of Macaws. We, as a conservation
organization, promote and apply scientifically based information from
the field to the propagation of endangered Macaws, to wildlife management,
and to environmental education, while building public awareness and supporting
other organizations that work to preserve Macaws in the wild.
What
Is A Macaw?
There are 16 different species of parrots classified as Macaws, ranging
from the magnificent Hyacinthine which weighs approximately 1300 grams
(3 lbs.) to the petite Hahns which weighs about 165 grams (1/3 lb.). They
all have graceful tails that are usually as long as their bodies or longer.
The large Macaws are brightly colored while the mini-Macaws are not nearly
as striking. Most Macaws have bare skin surrounding their lower mandible
(beak) but not all species have this characteristic.
Where
Do Macaws Come From?
They live in the warm, Neotropical regions from Southern Mexico through
Central America and down into Central South America. Different species
will live in different locales within a country.
Why
Are Macaws Kept As Companions?
They are very social and intelligent and can form a close bond with their
owners and regard them as a mate. For this reason, unless you plan to
include a Macaw as part of your family and daily activities for the rest
of his or her life you should not consider having one as a companion.
We highly recommend that you think seriously about the obligation you
are undertaking when you decide to have one of these demanding, clever
birds as a companion.
Why
Are Macaws On The Endangered Species List?
There are several reasons for the decline of Macaws in the wild. The main
reason today is the destruction of the rain forest and other Macaw habitat.
Without proper nesting sites, these parrots cannot breed. Another reason,
of course, is the capture of Macaws for the pet trade. In the 1980s over
one million parrots were reported captured in South and Central America
to be sent to the United States, plus many many more for Europe and Asia.
Conservation
Funding conservation projects for Macaws in the wild is also a high priority
at the foundation. The primary projects to which we have contributed are:
(a) The World Parrot Trust, palms for the endangered Lear's Macaw; (b)
Wildlife Conservation Society macaw projects; (c) International Aviculture
Society, avian medical research; (d) UC Davis Psittacine Research Project;
(e) Selva Sur ecotourism conservation projects in Peru; (f) documentary
on rainforest conservation by the film-maker who produced 'Spirt of the
Rainforest'; (g) CEDIA Center for the development of the Amazonian Indian;
(h) Bio Brazil and (i) Bio Bolivia, for the protection of prime macaw
habitat.
ARA
The foundation publishes a on-line newsletter (ARA)
about Macaw conservation projects. The newsletter lists many different
ways individuals can get involved with helping save the rainforest and
macaws.
Yes,
I would like to support this important work. How can I help?
A tax-deductible donation payable to the Macaw Landing Foundation can
be mailed to:
Macaw
Landing Foundation
P.O. Box 17364
Portland, Oregon 97217
