P arrots are more plentiful in aviaries than in the wild. Poaching is the big problem. On the other hand, what I don't see as a problem is native people eating any parrot they can kill within 5 miles of their village (the hunting range of native people on foot)? One solution of keeping more parrots in the wild has been the creation of eco-tourism. Rich people visit countries

with wild animal preserves; and the people observe the animals in their natural habitat. Also, many parrots produce 3 offspring each spring; the parents usually can only feed 2 of the chicks so the third one dies; but in eco-tourism, the third chick is often fed by hand and often fed by tourists; so, the parrot population is increased and the native people are helped by

the tourist industry. This web site was designed as a project of one of Randy’s (my husband) computer classes. Parrots routinely shed and replace their feathers. Randy collects shed tail feathers of his 3 pet macaw parrots (born in the U.S.A.) and sells them on e-bay; these long, beautiful tail feathers are used in art projects, costuming, and wall décor. Will we be good stewards of the Earth?