Re: Blue-and-gold Macaw or Blue -and-yellow Macaw.

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Posted by Bruce Cochrane on 21:20:39 02/25/05

In Reply to: Blue-and-gold Macaw or Blue -and-yellow Macaw. posted by Larry Manfredi

Great photo of the macaws! Is the fruit of the Chinese fan palm one of their preferred foods? And do they eat the whole fruit or just the outer covering? The Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinesis) interestingly has been tested and has potent activity against breast and colon cancer, so if the macaws are eating it, it must not be too toxic. The fan palm is listed as a potentially invasive species, so the two exotic species may be beneficial to each other. I have witnessed monk parakeets feeding on native buttonwood.

: While guiding birders on Tuesday February 22 we had the pleasure of seeing a small flock of three Blue-and-gold Macaws fly by us. About 30 mintues later we had two more fly by and then proceed to land in a cluster of Chinese Fan Palms to feed. We had great views from about 50 feet! The largest flock that I have seen in the past is 9 birds, these birds have breed before and more than likely still do. This was in the Kendall area I usually don't see them there.
:
: Larry Manfredi
: Homestead, FL.
: E-mail: birderlm@bellsouth.net
: http://www.southfloridabirding.com

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Re: Blue-and-gold Macaw or Blue -and-yellow Macaw. - Larry Manfredi 09:02:22 02/26/05 (0)

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Comments:	: Great photo of the macaws! Is the fruit of the Chinese fan palm one of their preferred foods? And do they eat the whole fruit or just the outer covering? The Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinesis) interestingly has been tested and has potent activity against breast and colon cancer, so if the macaws are eating it, it must not be too toxic. The fan palm is listed as a potentially invasive species, so the two exotic species may be beneficial to each other. I have witnessed monk parakeets feeding on native buttonwood. : : : : : : While guiding birders on Tuesday February 22 we had the pleasure of seeing a small flock of three Blue-and-gold Macaws fly by us. About 30 mintues later we had two more fly by and then proceed to land in a cluster of Chinese Fan Palms to feed. We had great views from about 50 feet! The largest flock that I have seen in the past is 9 birds, these birds have breed before and more than likely still do. This was in the Kendall area I usually don't see them there. : : : : Larry Manfredi : : Homestead, FL. : : E-mail: birderlm@bellsouth.net : : http://www.southfloridabirding.com :
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