The US Fish and Wildlife Service is deciding if a macaw subspecies still counts as 'endangered'

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing an analysis that could change the protected status of a specific scarlet macaw population. This review will determine if the northern distinct population segment of the southern subspecies of scarlet macaw still qualifies for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The Endangered Species Act protects animals and plants by restricting activities that might harm them or their habitats. If this macaw population is no longer considered endangered, those protections could be removed. This means developers or other actors in the macaw's range might face fewer restrictions.