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

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Larry Manfredi on 09:02:22 02/26/05

In Reply to: Re: Blue-and-gold Macaw or Blue -and-yellow Macaw. posted by Bruce Cochrane

This is the first time that I have seen Blue-and- Gold Macaws eat Chinese Fan Palm fruit. I am not sure if they were eating the whole fruit or just the outer covering. I have seen an Orange-winged and a Hispaniola Parrot eating this fruit as well as Blue Jays.

A favorite fruit of Blue-and-Gold Macaw is Tropical Almond, they love this stuff.

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
:

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:
Subject:
Comments:	: This is the first time that I have seen Blue-and- Gold Macaws eat Chinese Fan Palm fruit. I am not sure if they were eating the whole fruit or just the outer covering. I have seen an Orange-winged and a Hispaniola Parrot eating this fruit as well as Blue Jays. : : A favorite fruit of Blue-and-Gold Macaw is Tropical Almond, they love this stuff. : : 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 : : :
Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]