Examine individual changes

'{{Redirect-distinguish|Great military macaw|Military macaw}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}} {{Taxobox | name = Great green macaw | image = Ara ambigua.JPG | image_width = 250px | status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref>{{IUCN|id=22685553 |title=''Ara ambiguus'' |assessors=[[BirdLife International]] |version=2013.2 |year=2013 |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref> | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | ordo = [[Psittaciformes]] | superfamilia = [[true parrots|Psittacoidea]] | familia = [[Psittacidae]] | subfamilia = [[Neotropical parrot|Psittacinae]] | tribus = [[Arini (tribe)|Arini]] | genus = ''[[Ara (genus)|Ara]]'' | species = '''''A. ambiguus''''' | binomial = ''Ara ambiguus'' | binomial_authority = ([[Johann Matthäus Bechstein|Bechstein]], 1811) | subdivision_ranks = subspecies | subdivision = ''Ara ambiguus ambiguus''<br>''Ara ambiguus guayaquilensis'' | range_map = Ara ambigua distribution cropped.jpg | range_map_width = 150px | range_map_caption = ''A. ambigua'' distribution range }} The '''great green macaw''' (''Ara ambiguus''), also known as '''Buffon's macaw''' or the '''great military macaw''', is a [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]n [[parrot]] found in [[Nicaragua]], [[Honduras]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Panama]], [[Colombia]] and [[Ecuador]]. This species live in the canopy of wet tropical forests and is highly dependent on the [[Dipteryx|almendro tree (''Dipteryx panamensis'')]]. Two [[allopatric]] [[subspecies]] are recognized; the [[nominate subspecies]] (''Ara ambiguus ambiguus'') occurs from [[Honduras]] to West [[Colombia]], while ''Ara ambiguus guayaquilensis'' is isolated on the Pacific side of the continent in [[Ecuador]], and possibly South-Western [[Colombia]].<ref name=forshaw>{{cite book | first= Joseph M.| last= Forshaw|author2=Cooper, William T.|year= 1981|origyear=1973, 1978|edition=corrected second| title= Parrots of the World|publisher=David & Charles, Newton Abbot, London|isbn=0-7153-7698-5}}</ref> ==Taxonomy== The Great green macaw belong to the [[genus]] "''Ara''", which includes other large parrots, such as the [[scarlet macaw]], the [[military macaw]], and the [[blue-and-yellow macaw]].<ref name=":5" /> The [[Binomial nomenclature|binomial name]] has recently been changed from ''Ara ambigua'' to ''Ara ambiguus. '' ''There are two geographically isolated subspecies; ''Ara ambiguus ambiguus,which has the largest distribution range ([[Central America|Central]] and the North of [[South America]]) and ''Ara ambiguus guayaquilensis,'' which occurs mostly in Ecuador.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url = http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt|title = Ara ambiguus|date = 2006|accessdate = |website = ITIS|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) - BirdLife species factsheet|url = http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=1550|website = BirdLife International|accessdate = 2015-10-13|date = 2015}}</ref> [[File:Ara ambiguus -captive-8a.jpg|thumb|left|Great green macaw in a cage.|374x374px]] ==Description== Great green macaws are the largest parrots in their natural range, the second heaviest macaw species (although are relatively shorter tailed than other large macaws such as the [[red-and-green macaw]] and are thus somewhat shorter), and the third heaviest parrot species in the world. This species averages 85–90&nbsp;cm (33–36&nbsp;in) in length and 1.3&nbsp;kg (2.9&nbsp;lb) in weight.<ref name = "CRC">''CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses, 2nd Edition'' by John B. Dunning Jr. (Editor). CRC Press (2008), ISBN 978-1-4200-6444-5.</ref> They are mainly green and have a reddish forehead and pale blue lower back, rump and upper tail feathers. Tail is brownish red tipped with very pale blue. The bare facial skin is patterned with lines of small dark feathers, which are reddish in older and female parrots.<ref name = birdlife-1550>{{cite web| publisher =BirdLife International (2008) |url = http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1550&m=0 |title = Species factsheet: ''Ara ambiguus'' | accessdate = 24 July 2008}}</ref> The great green macaw appears superficially similar to, and may easily be confused with the [[military macaw]] where their ranges overlap. == Distribution and habitat == The great green macaw lives in tropical forests in the Atlantic wet lowlands of [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]] from [[Honduras]] to Western [[Ecuador]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|url = |title = CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION OF THE GREAT GREEN MACAW’S LANDSCAPE IN COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUA (1994-2012)|last = Chassot|first = Olivier|date = 2012|journal = PARKS|doi = |pmid = |access-date = |last2 = Monge Arias|first2 = Guisselle|issue = |volume = 18.1}}</ref> It is usually observed below 600 m, but can be seen as high as 1500 m above sea level at some times of the year. In [[Costa Rica]], the range of the great green macaw is restricted to 1120&nbsp;km² of very wet forests along the border with [[Nicaragua]] where there are populations in the Bosawas and San Juan reserves, which represents only 10% of its historical range.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|url = |title = Great Green Macaw: flagship species of Costa Rica|last = Chassot|first = Olivier|date = 2002|journal = PsittaScene|doi = |pmid = |access-date = |last2 = Monge Arias|first2 = Guisselle|volume = 53}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|url = |title = BIOLOGÍA DE LA CONSERVACIÓN DE ARA AMBIGUUS EN COSTA RICA, 1994-2006|last = Chassot|first = Olivier|date = 2007|journal = Mesoamericana|doi = |pmid = |access-date = |last2 = Monge Arias|first2 = Guisselle|volume = 11(2)|last3 = Powell|first3 = George}}</ref> Even though it is now rare near the [[Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve|rìo platano]] in [[Honduras]], it still occurs there.<ref name=":0" /> In [[Panama]], it can be observed on the Caribbean slope, near Cana and Alturas de Nique, and the adjacent [[Colombia]].<ref name=":0" /> Before 1994 very few things were known about the [[natural history]] of the great green macaws and their abundance was in a sharp decline. In order to improve our knowledge on the ecology and natural history of this bird, a large radio telemetry was conducted by a team of researchers between 1994 and 2006. The main objectives of this study were to determine the home range of ''A. ambiguus,'' characterize the habitats that it frequents and learn more about its natural history in general (feeding habits, ecological associations, abundance, and reproduction and nesting habits).<ref name=":2" /> The results of this study were published in 2007. It was found that, in [[Costa Rica]] and adjacent [[Panama]], the habitats where great green macaws occur were dominated by the mountain almendro (''[[Dipteryx|Dipteryx panamensis]]'' [[Dipteryx|(or ''D. oleifera''))]]''[[Pentaclethra macroloba|,]]'' oilbean trees (''[[Pentaclethra macroloba|Pentaclethra macroloba)]]'' and raffia palms ''[[Raffia palm|(Raphia spp.)]]''.<ref name=":3" /> This is not surprising considering that great green macaws depend on ''D. panamensis'' for both feeding and nesting.<ref name=":1" /> Another study published in 2007 revealed that the abundance of food within a habitat is not related to the abundance of macaw; however the researchers found that there was a link between the abundance of food and the amount of time great green macaws spend at one place.<ref>{{Cite journal|url = |title = Great Green Macaws and the annual cycle of their foodplants in Ecuador|last = Berg|first = Karl|date = 2007|journal = Journal of field ornithology|doi = |pmid = |access-date = |last2 = Socola|first2 = Jacqueline|last3 = Angel|first3 = Rafael}}</ref> == Behaviour == === Diet === The Buffon's macaw is known to feed 37 species of trees, including the mountain almendro ([[Dipteryx|Dypterix panamensis]]), [[Sacoglottis|Sacoglottis trichogyna]], [[Vochysia|Vochysia ferruginea]] and coco ([[Lecythis ampla]]), which compose most of its diet.<ref name=":3" /> Even though great green macaw consume the fruits of a great variety of trees, ''[[Dipteryx|D. panamensis]]'' is its major source of food. In facts, they rely so much on this tree that the seasonal movements of ''A. ambiguus'' follow the asynchronous ripening of [[Dipteryx|D. panamensis]] fruits.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title = The birds of Costa Rica|last = Garrigues|first = Richard|publisher = Christopher Helm Publishers|year = 2007|isbn = |location = |pages = }}</ref> In [[Ecuador]], two Buffon's macaw were observed eating [[Orchidaceae|orchids]], which composed 71% of their diet.<ref name=":0" /> === Reproduction === The great green macaw's breeding season starts in December and ends in April, but the time and duration vary depending on the location.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url = http://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-great-green-macaw.html|title = Great Green Macaw|date = |accessdate = 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> Before building a nest, a pair establishes a large territory that does not overlap with that of other couples, and then, they find a tree cavity in which they can build a nest.<ref>{{Cite journal|url = |title = Suitability of the South Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica for Reintroduction of the Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus|last = Fraixedas|first = Sara|date = 2014|journal = Natural resources|doi = |pmid = |access-date = |last2 = Fernández-Llamazares|first2 = Álvaro|volume = 5|page = |last3 = Rico|first3 = Anna|last4 = Bach|first4 = Albert|last5 = Borrós|first5 = Marta|last6 = Barriocanal|first6 = Carles|last7 = Boada|first7 = Martí}}</ref> [[Dipteryx|Dipteryx panamensis]] is the nesting substrate 90% of the time.<ref name=":3" /> The female lays 2-3 eggs and incubates them for about a month period.<ref name=":6" /> This species has high reproductive success (60% of young survive), which is not surprising given its relatively small [[Clutch (eggs)|clutch size]]. === Vocalisation === A loud "''aak, raak''" that can be heard at great distances.<ref name=":4" /> See external links for an example ==Conservation== === Status === This species of parrot is still endangered all over its range even though the numbers seems encouraging. In 1994, the population of [[Costa Rica]] was estimated at 210 individuals with only 35 to 40 breeding pairs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Following conservation efforts, the population of macaws in [[Costa Rica]] was estimated at 1530 individuals.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In [[Colombia]], they seemed to do relatively well in 2005 as the population was estimated at a total of less than 2500 individuals (or 1700 adults).<ref name=":0" /> The total population of [[Ecuador]] was estimated between 60 to 90 individuals in 2002, and reports from 2012 indicates that there are probably only 30 to 40 individuals left.<ref name=":0" /> The global population is now estimated at 7000 individuals, including adults and juveniles.<ref name=":1" /> === Threats === The main threat for the survival of the great green macaw is habitat loss, which is mainly due to the unsustainable harvest of [[Dipteryx|Dipteryx panamensis]] and other trees that produce high quality wood.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The forests are also converted into agricultural field destined to the production of monocultures like that of [[Elaeis guineensis|African palm]], [[pineapple]]s and [[banana]]s.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> As a results, 90% of suitable habitats have been lost in [[Costa Rica]].<ref name=":2" /> Other threats include hunting pressure for the feathers and illegal pet sale.<ref name=":2" /> === Conservation plan === In 1998 a research team started to work with local and national stakeholders on a conservation plan, known as the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor, that would protect the habitat of the great green macaw.<ref name=":1" /> This plan includes the creation of the [[Maquenque National Park|Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge]], which covers 54 000 hectares of breeding ground for the [[macaw]].<ref name=":1" /> The conservation plan efficiently reduced the rate of deforestation and was rated as a success in 2012.<ref name=":1" /> The San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor is extremely important to the great green macaw and hundreds of other species because it restores the connectivity between different regions of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.<ref name=":1" /> Essentially, the park connects the Central Volcanic Mountain range and the [[La Selva Biological Station]] (125,691 hectares), the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge (102,165 hectares), [[Tortuguero National Park]] (29,068 hectares), the Indio-Maíz Biological Reserve (306,980 hectares), [[Punta Gorda, Nicaragua|Punta Gorda]] (54,900 hectares) and [[Cerro Silva Natural Reserve|Cerro Silva]] (339,400 hectares), thereby unifying these six protected areas and allowing the animals to move between the regions.<ref name=":1" /> == In the culture == A festival building local pride for the great green macaw and promoting its conservation is held simultaneously in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua during May. During the festival local farmers and nest caretakers receive prizes for helping the conservation of the .<ref name=":2" /> See external link. == See also == * [[The Ara Project|The Ara Project - Macaw reintroduction]] ==References==<!-- http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-news/2009/08/03/twelve-species-petitioned-endangered-species-act.aspx --> {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Ara ambiguus}} *[http://www.thearaproject.org Ara ambiguus] conservation and reintroduction in Costa Rica *[http://www.xeno-canto.org/sounds/uploaded/DABODLPUPA/Great_Green_Macaw2_2-13-10_CR_olmstead.mp3 Ara ambiguus call] *[http://www.costaricanbirdroute.com/news/BiNationalMacawFestival.htm Great green macaw festival] {{Macaws}} [[Category:Ara]] [[Category:Birds of Costa Rica|Macaw, Great green]] [[Category:Birds of Nicaragua|Macaw, Great green]] [[Category:Birds of Panama|Macaw, Great green]] [[Category:Macaws]] [[Category:Birds of Colombia]] [[Category:Birds of Ecuador|Macaw, Great green]]'