AUSTIN, Texas, March 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blu Lu is a stunning specimen of feathered beauty. Although hatched in the US, genetically she is no different from her wild cousins that are struggling to survive in Bolivia. Her kind are called blue-throated macaws, or "blue beards" by the locals. Down to less than three hundred birds left in the wild, Blu Lu has an important role to play in their survival.
Originally Blu Lu was part of a genetically diverse flock of blue-throated macaws that are cared for at the Bird Endowment in Texas. (www.BirdEndowment.org) They are maintained in the event their wild cousins encounter disaster and disappear forever. Unfortunately Blu Lu's parents had a different plan and rejected her days after hatching. This meant months of hand-rearing by loving human parents and now a permanent home with professional animal trainer Barbara Heidenreich.
Because Blu Lu is more interested in human companionship her role in saving wild macaws is as an avian ambassador for her species. She makes public appearances, will gladly take a dollar and drop it in a donation bucket, and now has added a new skill to her many talents. Blu Lu has mastered the art of painting.
"We started with just touching the handle of the brush at first. Over time she learned to hold the brush, touch it to paper, and eventually add more strokes. All her training is based in positive reinforcement. This kind and gentle method of teaching creates eager participants. Blu Lu flies right over when she sees the painting supplies are out." says Heidenreich.
Painting is not just a hobby for Blu Lu. Her artwork will help raise funds to save blue-throated macaws in the wild. Original pieces will be raffled off via bird conservation fund raising organization Chirping Central Conservation Fund ( www.ChirpingCentral.com) Monies raised will be donated to the Bird Endowment.
The Bird Endowment is dedicated to saving blue-throated macaws. Their Nido Adoptivo ™ program funds the building and monitoring of artificial nest boxes for wild blue-throated macaws. Competition with other species for nest sites has contributed to the macaws' demise. Supplemental nesting has made a difference for these rare parrots.
For a chance to win an original piece of framed art painted by Blu Lu visit www.ChirpingCentral.com. For more information on blue-throated macaw conservation visit www.BirdEndowment.org. ; For information on how to train your companion parrot visit www.GoodBirdInc.com.
About Good Bird Inc:
Good Bird Inc provides behavior and training products for the companion parrot and small mammal communities. These products include Good Bird Magazine, books, videos and animal training workshops. Discover kind and gentle ways to train your exotic animal companions to be well-behaved, interactive and fun. Visit www.GoodBirdInc.com and www.BunnyTraining.com ; for more information.
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http://www.cisionwire.com/good-bird-inc/r/parrot-paints-to-save-lives,c9232396
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