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Copyright National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA 2001
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The military macaw is listed as vulnerable by the 2000 IUCN
Redlist and is protected from trade under Appendix I of CITES.
It originally inhabited three regions of Mexico: The Pacific slope,
the Huasteca region and the mid-south of the country. It is not
found in Central America, but in South America, it is present
in parts of Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia and northern Argentina.
It is considered a rare species in its distribution range. In
the last 50 years the range of distribution for this species has
decreased drastically, populations and habitats have been fragmented
and these birds have also been subject to exploitation for the
pet trade.
Continued field research is needed to determine true population
numbers and re-assess current threats. Further knowledge of wild
military macaw biology is also needed. An educational program
for locals about the plight of this bird needs to be developed
before it is too late for this threatened species.
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