Projects

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.

The 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