Scarlet macaws in Central America are still threatened, even if they're not endangered

The US Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that the northern population of scarlet macaws remains a threatened species. This means the birds will continue to receive protections under US law, even if their overall numbers are not critically low.

The Endangered Species Act has two categories: 'endangered' for species at risk of extinction, and 'threatened' for those likely to become endangered soon. This ruling means the northern scarlet macaw population, found in Central America, will keep its 'threatened' status. This status triggers specific conservation efforts and restrictions on activities that could harm the birds or their habitat.