The ARARA AZUL Project is a project that studies the biology and ecological relationships of the Hyacinth Macaw, manages and promotes the conservation of the blue macaw in its natural environment. The Project studies the reproductive biology of red macaws, toucans, hawks, owls, guinea fowl and other species that cohabit with the blue macaw in the Pantanal.
The main objectives of the ARARA AZUL Project are to maintain viable medium-long-term populations of Hyacinth macaws (anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) in the wild in their natural environment and promote the conservation of biodiversity and the Pantanal as a whole. Specific objectives may vary from year to year, but include studies of basic biology, reproduction, behavior, habitat requirements, management and environmental education for the conservation of the species in the wild, among others.
Started in 1990 by biologist Neiva Guedes, the project monitors about 3,000 individual Blue Macaws in the Pantanal region, where there are 346 natural nests and 198 artificial nests. The project has more than tripled the number of Hyacinth macaws monitored in the area!
Mark Hagen visited ARARA AZUL Project in Brazil in November 2019 to see some of these nest boxes and the Hyacinths they support.
Rosemary Low (aviculturist, ornithologist, conservationist, writer and expert on parrots), Steve Brookes of Wild Parrots Up Close, Mark Hagen (Founder and Director of HARI) visit the Arara Azul Project.Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (Hyacinth Macaw) is listed as vulnerable by IUCN and in CITES Appendix I. Blue macaws are economically important to humans in that interest in the bird sparks the tourism industry in Brazil. They are also part of the international live-bird trade. Capture and export of wild birds (although illegal in Brazil) has caused a sharp decline in the population.The Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is the largest parrot by length in the world (100 cm (3.3 ft) long from the tip of its tail to the top of its head and weighs 1.2–1.7 kg (2.6–3.7 lb)).Hyacinth macaws are largely dependent and feed almost exclusively on the nuts of palm trees, such as this African oil palm, but will occasionally feed on small seeds, palm sprouts and snails.Blue macaws feed on eight species of palm nuts, which are rich in nutrients and fat. Those with Hyacinth’s in aviaries must remember that these wild macaws fly around all day and exert their energy, aviary birds should not be overfed nuts.Most of the feeding occurs on the ground, though Hyacinth Macaws use their ability to climb to pick palm nuts from clusters within the trees.Predators include owls and the toco toucan, which likes to steal eggs and chicks with that long, colorful bill of theirs.Pictured here: Dr. Neiva Guedes (President of the Arara Azul Institute), Rosemary Low, Cynthia Mazzi (Field Biologist), Mark Hagen. Dr. Guedes gave a 2-hour presentation on the Arara Azul project to the groupArtificial nests are made, installed and monitored in areas where there is a low availability of natural cavities.Preparing to install artificial nest box sponsored by Steve Brookes of Wild Parrots Up CloseInstallation of artificial nest box.Installation of artificial nest box sponsored by Steve Brookes of Wild Parrots Up CloseSteve Brookes thanking the nest box installer.Around the city of Campo Grande there are a large number of urban dwelling Macaws and Parrots. The Arara Azul Project monitors these nest sites in the city.A Blue and Gold Macaw pair watches over their nest while biologists carefully inspect their nest and chicks.A biologist briefly removes a chick out of its nest in order to record its body size and weight.Getting the chicks ready for their examination.Accurate records and measurements are kept for each of the chicks monitored.Examination of the urban chicks.Two healthy and strong Blue and Gold Macaw parrotsThe Arara Azul Project’s truck.The nests are built on native and exotic palm trees and are located within the backyards of homes or commercial real estate, sidewalks and public walks on avenues and parks. Most registered nests (54%) are in or near a green area.Registered nests are accompanied weekly by photographic records from egg laying to juvenile flight.In one day several nests can be monitored up to 17-20 times. If a nest is at risk of predators or loss of eggs or young, it can be monitored more than once a day or daily.Macaws are successfully breeding in the urban area of Campo Grande.Continued monitoring may determine the factors that influence the reproduction of this species in the city.On average 92.3% of nests with reproductive pairs are successful with egg laying, of which 83.3% are successful with hatching and 81.6% are successful with juvenile flight.Healthy chicks prepare to be returned to their nestReturning the chicks to their nestsArara Azul team with Steve Brookes and Mark Hagen, both of whom sponsored a nest box.The Arara Azul team with Neil & Patricia Rudikoff of The Oasis Sanctuary who also sponsored a nest box.
HARI Adopts Nest Box #2088
HARI made a donation of 10,000 REALS (about $2,500 USD) to adopt one of the next boxes and so that another one could be set up. Ninety Boxes so far by Arara Azul have been installed.
The project is a success with at least half the boxes occupied by Blue (Azul) Macaws. The others by a wide range of species that thus also benefit.
It’s with thanks to all our HARI Tropican Customers for making this donation on our behalf possible.
Hyacinth Macaw Protected Under the Endangered Species Act
Because of a shortage in nesting sites from deforestation and illegal poaching for the pet trade across Central and South America, hyacinth macaws are at risk – only a small population of 6,500 hyacinth macaws remain in the wild. Since 1990 the wild population has shown signs of a recovery and may be stabilizing probably in response to conservation projects, Ecotourism and local support from Ranchers.
Have you ever noticed the sub title of Parrot Life Magazine? While the official magazine of HARI remains popular with the companion bird “spoke” of the avian community, we wanted to expand a little bit on the true meaning of the words : Companionship – Health – Behavior – Aviculture – Conservation.
We take pride in setting the standard for parrot care in captivity and supporting conservation projects in the wild. That’s why we work closely with top conservation programs to help protect parrot species and their natural habitats for for generations to come.
