Save a Magnificent Macaw from Regional Extinction

The season started out with seven potential nests based on activity from previous years. Three rangers and two biological technicians carefully monitored parrot behavior and narrowed in onto three potential nest sites. One tree's cavity in particular was used by a couple of birds. We immediately began continuous protection of the nest. After several weeks, the visitation by the parrots to the nest stopped. We sent a team out to investigate and found invasive bees that had occupied the tree cavity resulting in abandonment of the nest by the parrots. It was a disappointment, but the focus is shifting towards preparing for the coming season. Although several months away, we are removing the bees as well as fumigate the site to eliminate this particular issue. We are also working on renewing project permits with the government as well as supporting local reforestation to improve habitat for the birds. All these activities were possible thanks to your support. The Macaws need your help to survive. Thank you again for your continuous support!

Dear friend,

As we await news of Cyanoptera macaw nests in the Cosiguina peninsula, I would like to give you a quick update.

Thanks to your support, our team of two bird technicians and three community members have been  conducting monthly monitoring three sectors of the forested flanks of the Cosiguina volcano. There we have located seven potential macaw nests, based on previous nesting sites and also based on visits by macaws near to potential nest cavities. 

The first week January we will begin continuous monitoring of the nesting areas in hopes that several macaw pairs can be protected so that they can nest without the interference of poachers

I was recently in El Salvador where I learned from government rangers who work on the Conchagua volcano, a forested volcano just 30 km across the Gulf of Fonseca from Cosiguina. They shared that from time to time they observe macaws foraging in the forests on the Salvadoran volcano. We believe that the macaws that nest in Nicaragua travel between El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua during non-breeding season to forage for food in the forests near the gulf. The effors you support are helping a macaw population that helps disperse seeds and grow forests across three countries! 

Thank you for helping Central America's last population of cyanoptera macaw on the pacific coast. 

With gratitude,

Sarah