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Journal Entry #28 - Posted on Monday March 2nd, 2009 at 5:48 am by Anne Watcher
Viewed by many people as the most beautiful bird in the world, the Scarlet Macaw is a large colourful parrot that habitats the lowland subtropical rain forests and river edges of the American tropics. But due to deforestation mainly for banana plantations and capture for the pet industry, it's numbers in the wild have been decreasing dramatically.
Here in Costa Rica the Scarlet Macaw previously occupied about 80% of the country but by 1993 that was down to 20% of their historic range in Costa Rica. Now they are isolated only to two regions, the Carara National Park and the Peninsula de Osa.
Thus our trip to Carara. I had already crossed off a lot from my list of things to see and do this trip: 3 of the 4 monkeys, a sloth, toucan, and swan in the Pacific and Caribbean. I had seen a Crimson-fronted Parakeet but wanted to see a Macaw. Hoping to do so we headed out on the trail along the river. Bruce and Nadine had seen two flying overhead on their previous trip but we were all treated to a real display of a pair this time. A typical sighting is that of a single bird or a pair flying high above the forest canopy so we were happy when this male and female just hung around allowing for lots of photos.
Here in Costa Rica the Scarlet Macaw previously occupied about 80% of the country but by 1993 that was down to 20% of their historic range in Costa Rica. Now they are isolated only to two regions, the Carara National Park and the Peninsula de Osa.
Thus our trip to Carara. I had already crossed off a lot from my list of things to see and do this trip: 3 of the 4 monkeys, a sloth, toucan, and swan in the Pacific and Caribbean. I had seen a Crimson-fronted Parakeet but wanted to see a Macaw. Hoping to do so we headed out on the trail along the river. Bruce and Nadine had seen two flying overhead on their previous trip but we were all treated to a real display of a pair this time. A typical sighting is that of a single bird or a pair flying high above the forest canopy so we were happy when this male and female just hung around allowing for lots of photos.
They are easy to hear as they make loud, low-pitched, throaty squawks, squeaks and screams that can carry for miles. To me their voice does not match their absolute beauty. When they fly the sight is breath-taking as their red, yellow and blue feathers gleam against the bright sky.
Scarlet Macaws eat mostly fruits and seeds, including large, hard seeds. They also feed on nectar and buds. The Scarlet Macaw female lays two or three white eggs in a tree cavity and incubates the eggs for about 28 days. The babies spend the first year with their parents then leave for good but the parents stay together as Macaws mate for life.
Edited on Wednesday March 11th, 2009 at 11:05 am
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