Patterns of Seasonal Variation in Diet, Abundance, and Movement of the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) in southern Belize

This study was conducted in 2008 and 2009 to determine if Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao), in subtropical southern Belize, Central America, are seasonal and elevational migrants and if their movement is influenced by seasonally abundant food. Reports from southern Belize indicated strongly seasonal sightings of macaws (N ≈ 200) in two separate areas of considerable difference in elevation. I monitored plant phenology plots (2 m x 500 m) in low (N = 6) and high (N = 6) elevation areas for a year to compare fruit abundance with macaw sightings in point counts on the plots and nearby. My point count data and historical sightings indicate strongly seasonal patterns of macaw movement between the low eastern foothills of the Maya Mountains, notably at Red Bank Village, and the higher Chiquibul area to the west, over the Maya Mountains. Other researchers have recorded macaw flights over the Maya Mountains. In the Chiquibul, their high-elevation breeding grounds, my sightings of macaws occurred year-round, but dropped at the beginning of the breeding season in January. At that time, sightings of likely non-breeders rose in low-elevation areas, peaking in February and March with abundant Sloanea tuerckheimii, Pera arborea, and Xylopia frutescens. At that elevation, no macaws were sighted from April through November. At Red Bank, ripe X. frutescens was strongly correlated with Scarlet Macaws; the abundance of both dropped to zero by April. Fruit availability peaked in the Chiquibul in May, whereas macaw sightings peaked in June and dropped in July; low numbers of macaws were sighted in August, September, and October. I reviewed the natural history of Scarlet Macaws in Belize and determined that they have a generalist diet, numerous natural limiting factors, and limited populations and distribution due to habitat destruction and the pet trade. In response, I am advocating for anti-poaching efforts and new protected areas in Beliz

Factors influencing affiliative and stereotypical behaviour expression in eight couples of scarlet macaw (Ara macao) from a conservation breeding centre in Costa Rica

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária, área científica de ClínicaABSTRACT - The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is a threatened species that inhabits tropical/subtropical forests in the New World Tropics. It forms complex social groups, consisting of several monogamous couples that reproduce seasonally in existing tree cavities. Habitat loss, poaching for pet trade, and persecution as an agricultural pest are among some of the threats the species faces in Central America. Several in situ and ex situ conservation efforts have been employed, including captive breeding for subsequent reintroduction into the wild. Captive environmental conditions must allow the display of natural behaviours, as this promotes general welfare and reproductive efforts. This study aimed to identify factors that may positively or negatively influence the expression of both affiliative and stereotypical behaviours in captivity. The behaviour of eight couples from a breeding centre in Alajuela, Costa Rica, was measured using interval-sampling, all-occurrence recording within the intervals, and a space use function with the help of the ZooMonitor app. To test this influence, both activity-budgets and differences between couples and time of observation (presence of sufficient shade; day time; length of time the couple had been together; time since last meal) were evaluated. Comfort behaviours accounted for the majority of observations. All couples exhibited social affiliative behaviours, while social agonistic ones were rarely observed. Couples with less shade exhibited more social affiliative behaviours, and the macaws were more likely to engage in affiliative and stereotypical behaviours in the afternoon. The negative influence of the feeding schedule in the welfare of the population is presumed, as the more time passed since they were fed, significantly stereotypic behaviours were exhibited, and fewer affiliative ones. Some recommendations can be made to refine captive conditions of the animals under observation, like foraging enrichment practices tailored to the macaw population's needs, associated with food preparation away from enclosures and the development of species specific diets, contributing to improve their welfare. Therefore, the identification and correction of negative environmental factors may promote welfare and breeding success rates in breeding programmes, having important implications for the conservation of the species as a wholeRESUMO - Fatores que Influenciam a Expressão de Comportamentos Afiliativos e Estereotipados em Oito Casais de Araras-Escarlate (Ara macao) num Centro de Reprodução para Conservação na Costa Rica - A Arara-Escarlate (Ara macao) é uma espécie ameaçada que habita as florestas tropicais/subtropicais do Novo Mundo. Forma grupos sociais complexos, compostos por vários casais monogâmicos que se reproduzem sazonalmente em cavidades arbóreas. A perda de habitat, a caça furtiva para comercialização e a perseguição como praga agrícola estão entre as ameaças da espécie na América Central. Inúmeros projetos de conservação in situ e ex situ foram implementados, incluindo a criação em cativeiro para reintrodução na natureza. As condições ambientais em cativeiro devem permitir a exibição de comportamentos naturais, uma vez que estes promovem o bem-estar geral e a reprodução. Este estudo visou identificar fatores que podem influenciar positiva ou negativamente a expressão de comportamentos afiliativos e estereotipados em cativeiro. O comportamento de oito casais num centro de reprodução em Alajuela, Costa Rica, foi mensurado utilizando amostragem intervalada, registo de ocorrências importantes entre os intervalos, e a sua localização espacial, com a ajuda da aplicação ZooMonitor. Para testar esta influência, tanto os “activity-budgets”, como as diferenças entre casais e o momento da observação (presença de sombra suficiente; altura do dia; duração da união do casal; tempo passado desde a última refeição) foram avaliados. Os comportamentos de conforto representaram a maioria das observações. Todos os casais exibiram comportamentos afiliativos, enquanto que raramente foram observados os agonísticos. Casais com menos sombra exibiram mais comportamentos afiliativos, e as araras revelaram-se mais suscetíveis de exibir comportamentos afiliativos e estereotipados, à tarde. Pressupõem-se a influência negativa do plano alimentar no bem-estar da população, pois quanto mais tempo passou desde a sua alimentação estas exibiram significativamente mais comportamentos estereotipados, e menos comportamentos afiliativos. Algumas recomendações podem ser feitas para aprimorar o ambiente cativo dos animais observados, como práticas de enriquecimento ambiental alimentar adaptadas às necessidades da população, em associação com a preparação de alimentos fora do recinto e, o desenvolvimento de dietas específicas, contribuindo para a melhoria do seu bem-estar. Assim, a identificação e correção de fatores ambientais negativos pode promover o bem-estar e a taxa de sucesso reprodutivo em programas de reprodução, com implicações relevantes para a conservação da espécie como um todo.N/

Macaw Cam: Exploratory Camera Trap Techniques for Monitoring and Conservation of Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) Nests

In this study, we explored new, low-cost camera trap techniques to monitor Scarlet Macaws in one of their last two self-sustaining habitats in Costa Rica. Camera trap monitors have begun to produce new insights in avian research and we use them not only because Macaws are threatened, but their imagery can be used to enhance the public’s understanding of the connections between science and conservation efforts. We mounted camera units on two trees with nesting Macaws in Costa Rica’s Carara National Park and monitored one nest remotely for seven consecutive months

PREDATION ON SCARLET MACAW (ARA MACAO CYANOPTERA) CHICKS BY COLLARED FOREST FALCONS (MICRASTUR SEMITORQUATUS) IN THE MAYA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, GUATEMALA

Abstract ∙ Through efforts of the Wildlife Conservation Society, poaching in an important Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera) nesting area in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala had been reduced to zero by 2004. However, during long‐term monitoring of the nesting success of Scarlet Macaws in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, unexplained or unknown disappearance of chicks from nests was common despite the aforementioned reduction in poaching. To determine the cause of these disappearances, we installed five video camera surveillance systems in the nest cavities during the 2008 nesting season. Fatal attacks on chicks by Collared Forest Falcons (Micrastur semitorquatus) were recorded at three of these nests. This result highlights natural predation as a limiting factor for the recruitment of new individuals into the Scarlet Macaw population in the Maya Biosphere Reserve even when poaching is suppressed.Resumen ∙ Depredación de pichones de Guacamayas Rojas (Ara macao cyanoptera) por Halcones Selváticos de Collar (Micrastur semitorquatus) en la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya, Guatemala A través de los esfuerzos de la Wildlife Conservation Society, el robo de pichones de Guacamayas Rojas (Ara macao cyanoptera) en una importante zona de anidación de la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya en Guatemala ha sido reducido a cero desde el año 2004. Sin embargo, durante el monitoreo a largo plazo del éxito de anidación de las guacamayas rojas en la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya, la desaparición por razones desconocidas de pichones de los nidos fue común a pesar de la reducción de robos anteriormente mencionada. Para determinar la causa de estas desapariciones, instalamos cinco sistemas de vigilancia de cámaras de video en los nidos durante la temporada de anidación de 2008. En tres de estos cinco nidos se registraron ataques fatales contra pichones por parte del Halcón Selvático de Collar (Micrastur semitorquatus). Este resultado destaca la depredación natural como un factor limitante para el reclutamiento de nuevos individuos en la población de Guacamayas Rojas en la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya, incluso cuando se suprime el robo de pichones.

Five Seasons in Ecotopia: Rainforest Immersion and Conservation Action in Costa Rica

This book, Five Seasons in Ecotopia: Rainforest Immersion and Conservation Action in Costa Rica, is an effort to share our perspectives from five years of experience studying and teaching in Costa Rica through the intersections of geography, ecology, and political science. These reflect the dominant pedigrees of more than one-hundred students who annually spent five weeks in Huxley College of the Environment’s RICA program in Costa Rica. The RICA program was designed to foster global ecological citizenship through practices of democratic ecology that activate learner awareness and efficacy among undergraduate participants, Costa Rican students from local schools, and community members. In the 2011 field season, faculty and twenty-one students conducted observational studies of tree diversity, soil composition, avian bioacoustics, collaborative conservation management, and environmental education. Comparative observations were made at biological stations in Carara and Corcovado National Park in collaboration with Park staff. We hypothesized that significant contrasts will occur between the secondary forests of Carara and primary forests of Corcovado and their neighboring communities. Our results inform Costa Rican conservation and management strategies as well as contribute to the growing field of participatory ecological monitoring. Biodiversity conservation begins inside of Costa Rica’s protected areas but must be complemented by research, education and outreach in the communities outside of National Parks.https://cedar.wwu.edu/cedarbooks/1001/thumbnail.jp

The relationship between the feather tuft of the uropygial gland and terrestrial/aquatic birds

The bird´s uropygial gland has a papilla in its caudal end and it can also show a feather tuft. These feathers may have a raquis or not. The purpose of our study was to compare the number, dimensions and types of the tuft´s feathers in aquatic and terrestrial birds, as well as to investigate whether the potential differences are related or determined by their dissimilar habitats. The uropygial glands were removed and the tuft´s feathers were extracted and then measured, prepared for magnifying glass observation and photo shoot. Aquatic birds were found to have not only a larger number of feathers in the tuft but also longer feathers than terrestrial birds. However, the length ratio between calamus/raquis was higher in terrestrial birds. Almost all the species under study presented the same type of feathers except for the three penguin species that showed a peculiar type. The differences found between the tuft´s feathers of the studied species are related with the environment. Aquatic birds have a longer length of the feather tuft because they may produce a greater amount of secretion than terrestrial birds.Fil: Chiale, Maria Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Montalti, Diego. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Parrot population trends in Nicaragua revealed by long-term monitoring

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HYACINTH MACAWS (ANODORHYNCHUS HYACINTHINUS, PSITTACIDAE) FEEDING ON TERMITES

Abstract ∙ Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) feed largely on palm seeds and fruits. Here, we report a pair of Hyacinth Macaws feeding on termites. We visited the nesting tree of a pair of Hyacinth Macaws at the southern border of the Brazilian Pantanal on a monthly basis during one year. Macaws were present during four of these visits, and we recorded them foraging on arboreal termites in their nesting tree during one of the visits. Using their beaks, both macaw individuals repeatedly broke away bark pieces from decaying branches, and handled them with beak and feet to ingest termites found on the inner side of the bark. Nesting in decaying trees likely increases opportunities for Hyacinth Macaws to find termites, and the feeding behavior of these macaws indicates that they are familiar with and able to consume termites. This is the first report of termite consumption by this species.Resumo ∙ Arara‐azul‐grande (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Psittacidae) comendo cupins Indivíduos de Arara‐azul‐grande (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) consomem principalmente sementes de palmeiras e frutos. Reportamos aqui um casal de Araras‐azuis‐grandes consumindo cupins. Visitamos uma árvore de nidificação na borda sul do Pantanal brasileiro mensalmente durante um ano. As araras estavam presentes em quatro visitas, e registramos consumo de cupins presentes na árvore de nidificação em uma visita. As araras repetidamente retiravam com o bico pedaços de casca de ramos podres, e manuseavam os pedaços com o bico e os pés para ingerir cupins presentes na parte interna da casca. Nidificar em árvores senescentes provavelmente aumenta a oportunidade dessas araras encontrarem cupins, e o comportamento alimentar delas indica familiaridade e habilidade em consumilos. Esse é o primeiro registro de consumo de cupins por esta espécie.

Assessing the potential for effective collaborative resource management of Costa Rica\u27s Central Pacific scarlet macaw population

Establishing protected areas is one of the primary methods of protecting wildlife and preserving biodiversity and habitat worldwide. However, in recent years it has been recognized that not all protected areas are successful, for reasons ranging from a lack of resources to properly manage them, to the fact that areas are often too small to sustain animal populations, with many animals ranging beyond the borders of the protected areas. These issues have been addressed in a number of ways, including encouraging community involvement in management efforts and the development of conservation corridors and buffer zones to increase habitat availability. Collaborations between community members, university researchers, government agencies charged with managing protected areas and other interested parties including local non-profits, are an intriguing option for trying to meet the needs of the largest number of people while protecting endangered resources. This project is a case study of collaborative resource management, specifically the management of a population of Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) and their habitat, in and around Carara National Park in the Central Pacific Conservation Area of Costa Rica. Because so much of the habitat for Scarlet Macaws is located outside of Carara National Park\u27s boundaries, park staff has been working to develop partnerships with local communities and a local non-profit to improve management efforts. This thesis looks at the intersection of biogeography and human geography using a two pronged approach to assess the potential for collaborative resource management of the Central Pacific Scarlet Macaw population. I use common-pool resource theory as a framework to explore the current status of the Central Pacific Scarlet Macaw population and the local community members that live in the area. I also use value-belief-norm theory as a framework to assess the beliefs of the pilot study project participants and the potential for support of, and active involvement in, future collaborative resource management efforts. Data gathered through background research, participant observation and responses to a questionnaire showed the Central Pacific Scarlet Macaw resource system, which includes the local community members along with the Scarlet Macaws and their habitat, shares many of the attributes associated with the emergence of cooperation. The pilot project participants expressed interest in future participation and acknowledged the importance of community involvement in conservation and management efforts of the Scarlet Macaw resource system and the environment in general. The success of such collaborative resource management strategies is contingent upon their impact on the residents of communities where outreach occurs and this research shows that outreach efforts have had an impact