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To Whom It May Concern : The Bureau of Land Management Anasazi Heritage Center in Southwestern Colorado is a federal archaeological museum focusing on the prehistoric culture known as the Anasazi. Part of the function of this museum is research and providing research materials for archaeologists studying Southwestern prehistory. We are in the process of expanding our comparative faunal collection, which will aid in the identification and interpretation of non-human bones from archaeological sites. One of the taxa that we are lacking is a macaw. This is the most exotic vertebrate genus found in archaeological sites in the area. The Anasazi and other prehistoric Southwestern peoples kept macaws for their bright plumage in such places as Chaco Canyon, New Mexico as early as AD 1100. Rock art from this time period shows birds that have been interpreted by the present day Hopi as parrots symbolizing the origin of the Hopi Parrot Clan. Macaws were considered important to the pueblo people and their feathers were important for ceremonial decorations. An entire skirt or robe of scarlet macaw feathers was found in a cave in southeastern Utah. Dead macaws were not disposed of haphazardly, but were buried, as were dogs and, rarely, other animals. Two species of macaws have been identified from the Southwest: the scarlet macaw (Ara macao) and the military macaw (Ara militaris), with the scarlet being the most common. Since these birds have only existed in this area as imported captives or pets, we have not been able to find one for the collection. As a rescue and rehabilitation facility, you probably primarily fall heir to birds in distress and undoubtedly some of these birds don't survive. If you would consider the value of the research potential of the birds after they die to be a small compensation, we would very much appreciate any donation of specimens you could make to this museum. Although we are most interested in the scarlet and military macaws, any of the larger parrots would be helpful for our research collection. We will be happy to pay for any associated shipping costs. All donations are tax deductible at the evaluation of the donor. Paperwork for tax purposes will be sent out following the receipt of any donations. If you have any questions or comments, please contact our zooarchaeologist, John Beezley, at 970-882-4811, ext. 141. Sincerely, Deb L. Jensen |