MIAMI: Poaching and habitat loss have landed the military macaw and the great green macaw, two birds typically found in Central and South America, on the United States’ endangered species list, officials said on Thursday.

“Both macaws are at risk of extinction throughout their ranges,” said the US Fish and Wildlife Service, adding that “existing regulatory mechanisms designed to protect these macaws are not adequate.”

The ruling makes it illegal to kill, harass or injure the birds; import or export them from the United States; or carry them across state and national borders.