Canadian Parrot Conference’s
2021 Pennies4Parrots Challenge

Photo: M. Stafford
Lear’s Macaw Corn Subsidy Project
100% of funds collected are donated to Parrots International’s Corn Subsidy Project for the Lear’s Macaw!
We are hoping the CPC Pennies4Parrots 2021 Challenge will continue the success of the last number of years. The Lears numbers are continuing to increase (a good sign the project is working) however this means the parrots are also expanding their territory in search of food sources which, unfortunately, means they are expanding their foraging areas, which results in more farmers’ corn crops being destroyed! Please visit the Canadian Parrot Conference’s Facebook page for updates on this year’s challenge. A special thanks to all the folks who spend countless hours in the field working closely with the farmers and for their updates which we post to our Facebook page.
To prevent the shooting of Lear’s Macaws in Brazil, each growing season since 2006, Parrots International and partners have reimbursed the indigent local farmers for their losses due to the attacks on their corn crops by this majestic macaw, in return for the macaws’ safety. Pennies4Parrots has been supporting this programme since 2013 with a total of $35,400 donated to date thanks to the “change” we have collected throughout each challenge year.
Read MoreThe most significant extinction pressure on the Lear’s Macaw is: “Death by Farmer”
The macaws have developed a taste for the corn grown by the poor subsistence farmers due to the decline in their native food source (Licuri Palm Nuts)….resulting in retaliation and persecution by the farmers. And it works….since the launch of the corn subsidy the Lear’s macaw has increased from only 400 individuals to more than 1400!
To give you an idea of the destruction these beautiful parrots can do – last year the Project covered 7,426 square kilometers, however the area covered by the rural properties victimized by Lear’s Macaw attacks was 4,962 square kilometers. This area benefited a total of 128 rural properties (total amount of estimated damages: 823 corn sacks), located in 21 rural villages. The current price of the sack of corn (60 kg) is US$ 16.20
Your donation helps us help the Lear’s Macaws. On their behalf we thank you so much.
The Licuri Palm nuts are still a sought out primary source of food for the Lear’s despite its disappearing from the landscape. It is also a favourite of the farmer’s cattle and goats. It is a fascinating story on how these nuts develop until they are ready for eating (see pictures below).
- Male and female flowers as they begin the flowering stage.
- Female flowers only at the flowering stage. The male flowers have already opened and dropped to the ground.
- Female flowers have opened and been pollinated.
- Female flowers have matured and are now developing into the nuts which will be ripe and ready to eat in a few weeks.
DONATIONS ARE WELCOME
Interac Transfer (via a Canadian Bank) to info@canadianparrotconference.ca
PayPal (worldwide) to info@canadianparrotconference.ca
The Lear’s Macaws and Pennies4Parrots thank you in advance for your support.
Your “change” DOES make a difference!
P4P 2020 Challenge Raises $3,140!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Military Macaw Project – Mexico.
Learn more about the project supported by Parrots International with Carlos Bonilla at: http://www.macawforever.org/
This year was even more of a challenge due to the Covid-19 Pandemic!! That being said we still did well and as the Lear’s macaws were not in such a precarious situation this year we have donated the proceeds raised to another very worthwhile Parrots International supported cause. We send a big shout out to our two participants this year, namely:
- Emerald Feather – Ontario, Canada
- Parrot Resource Centre – British Columbia, Canada
P4P 2019 Challenge Raises $5,000!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Lears Macaw Corn Subsidy Project – Brazil
The CPC Pennies4Parrots 2019 Challenge was, once again, another great success for the Lear’s and local farmers both! We wish to thank those clubs and individuals who participated in this year’s challenge, in particular:
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Emerald Feather – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Ren’s Pet Depot – Canada
P4P 2018 Challenge Raises $5,000!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Lears Macaw Corn Subsidy Project – Brazil
The CPC Pennies4Parrots 2018 Challenge was, once again, another great success for the Lear’s and local farmers both! We wish to thank those clubs and individuals who participated in this year’s challenge, in particular:
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Emerald Feather – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Ren’s Pet Depot – Canada
- Chatham Kent Parrot Club, Blenheim, Ontario, Canada
P4P 2017 Challenge Raises $5,000!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Lears Macaw Corn Subsidy Project – Brazil
The CPC Pennies4Parrots 2017 Challenge was, once again, another great success for the Lear’s and local farmers both! We wish to thank those clubs and individuals who participated in this year’s challenge, in particular:
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Emerald Feather – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Ren’s Pet Depot – Canada
P4P 2016 Challenge Raises $5,000!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Lears Macaw Corn Subsidy Project – Brazil
The CPC Pennies4Parrots 2016 Challenge was, once again, another great success for the Lear’s and local farmers both! We wish to thank those clubs and individuals who participated in this year’s challenge, namely:
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Emerald Feather – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Ren’s Pet Depot – Canada
P4P 2015 Challenge Raises $5,000!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Lears Macaw Corn Subsidy Project – Brazil
The CPC Pennies4Parrots 2015 Challenge was a another great success for the Lear’s and local farmers both! We wish to thank those clubs and individuals who participated in this year’s challenge, namely:
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Hamilton Parrot Club – Dundas, Ontario, Canada
- Emerald Feather – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Ren’s Pet Depot – Canada
P4P 2014 Challenge Raises $3,900!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Lears Macaw Corn Subsidy Project – Brazil
The CPC Pennies4Parrots 2014 Challenge was a another great success for the Lears and local farmers both! We wish to thank those clubs and individuals who participated in this year’s challenge, namely:
- Golden Triangle Parrot Club – Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Hamilton Parrot Club – Dundas, Ontario, Canada
- Emerald Feather – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Ren’s Pet Depot – Canada
P4P 2013 Challenge Raises $3,000!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Lears Macaw Corn Subsidy Project – Brazil
The CPC Pennies4Parrots 2013 Challenge was a great success! We wish to thank those clubs and individuals who participated in this year’s challenge, namely:
- Golden Triangle Parrot Club – Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Hamilton Parrot Club – Dundas, Ontario, Canada
- Emerald Feather – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
This year Emerald Feather has kindly offered to send a “winner’s package” to each of this year’s participants as a special thank you for their participation in this year’s event. Thanks to Emerald Feather for their ongoing support and CONGRATULATIONS to everyone!!
P4P 2012 Challenge Raises $3,500!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Abaco Island Parrots, Abaco Island, Bahamas.
Learn more about the project under the management of Caroline Stahala please visit the Abaco Parrot Project on Abaco Island in the Bahamas. Caroline is to be commended for her tireless work and dedication to these parrots over the years and we know these funds will be put to good use Please join us on facebook (Canadian Parrot Conference) to learn more about the project and watch video updates on the parrots.
This year’s participants were:
- Parrot Resource Centre – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Golden Triangle Parrot Club – Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Hamilton Parrot Club – Dundas, Ontario, Canada
- Emerald Feather has kindly offered to put together a gift basket of parrot goodies for the top fundraiser.
This year’s top fundraiser was the Golden Triangle Parrot Club. Since they won this honour in the past, they have asked that the winner’s package go to the Hamilton Parrot Club who were the 2nd place fundraisers. CONGRATULATIONS!!
P4P 2011 Challenge Raises $3,100!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Military Macaw Project – Mexico.
Learn more about the project on Parrots Internationals PI Press website with Carlos Bonilla at: http://www.pipress.org/author/carlos/
This year’s participants were:
- Golden Triangle Parrot Club – Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Arizona Seed Crackers Society – Arizona, USA
- Hamilton Parrot Club – Dundas, Ontario, Canada
- Emerald Feather – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- York Region Parrot Club – Oakridges, Ontario, Canada
- Chatham-Kent Parrot Club – Blenheim, Ontario, Canada
P4P 2010 Challenge Raises $2,100!!!
For Parrot International’s supported project – The Slender-billed Conure Project – Chile.
P4P 2009 Challenge Raises $800!!!
For World Parrot Trust’s (Canada) supported project – The Thick-billed Parrot Project – Mexico.