Tambopata Macaw Project

The naturally low reproductive rate of wild macaws hampers population recovery efforts for endangered populations of these birds. Thus, a thorough understanding of nesting success in healthy populations of wild macaws and experiments with increasing reproductive output in the wild can help conservation biologists develop viable models for augmenting populations of endangered macaw species. The present study documents the low reproductive rates of Scarlet Macaw Am macao, Blue and Gold Macaw Ara ararauna and Greenwinged Macaw Ara chloroptem populations in southeastern Peru's pristine rainforests by presenting data from natural nests. Furthermore, this paper describes attempts to create additional nesting cavities for macaws and to increase macaw reproduction through handraising and release of second-hatched chicks from wild nests. The paper concludes with a description of the many conservation benefits of macaw research and ecotourism.