Earthwatch Macaws of the Peruvian Amazon

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EarthwatchMacaws of the Peruvian Amazon

• February 11 22, 2005
• Tambopata Research Center

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Research Goals

• Study macaw behavior at the nest
• Observe macaws at the clay lick
• Observe and measure chicks
• Take bird census
• Determine effect of ecotourism

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Research Activities Nest Observation

• Volunteers watch the nest for six hours a day
• Document the number of macaws in the nest and the
  frequency of visits to the nest
• Helps to determine time away from nest during
  incubation and brooding, frequency of feeding,
  and effect of rain

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Research Activities Clay Lick Observation

• Count number of birds on the clay lick
• Determine peak times and locations of clay lick
  use

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Research Activities Nest Observations

• Research assistants climb trees to get chicks
  from nest
• Measure chicks and take crop samples to determine
  diet

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The Volunteer Team

• Gary, Josh, Alison, Jannett, Pat, Lee, Liz, Cathy
  and Don (the research associate)

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Initial Findings

• Survival of chicks depends more on sibling
  competition than overall food supply
• Second chicks can be saved by supplemental
  feeding but third chicks cannot be saved
• Rain significantly reduces visits per hour and
  impacts feeding rate
• Tourists do not seem to impact number of birds on
  the clay lick
• Clay lick usage may relate to toxicity of the
  foods the macaws eat

Dr. Donald Brightsmith
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The Chicos

• About 10 years ago several macaw chicks were hand
  raised called the chicos
• Today these same birds frequent the lodge and
  have no fear of humans
• This chico loves crackers

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The Guides

• Experienced and knowledgeable guides led us on
  tours of the rain forest when we were not doing
  research

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Other Animals

• While we spent most of our time watching macaws,
  we did get to see some other interesting animals

Howler monkeys
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More Animals
Capybera
Peccary
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Strange and Scary Insects
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Farewell from the Amazon Rain Forest