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Macaw chick channel goes LIVE at TRC!

One of our nest camera systems is located in “Molinero”, an artificial nest located just 10 meters away from the dining room here at Tambopata Research Center. In the field, we usually use a small 7” monitor to check what is going on in our nests with video cameras, but in this case, we have plugged in the camera to the BIG television inside the lodge! Now whenever the electricity is on, we have live video from the nest streaming in to the lodge allowing us to watch the progression of the chicks as we enjoy our breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since the camera has infrared lighting, we can even see what is going on in the middle of the night. It provides a whole new perspective on nest observations!

Big television in main dining room area showing our "Macaw chick channel"

In “Molinero” nest, the two Scarlet Macaws managed to hatch one of their 3 eggs 5 days ago. We were watching all the interactions among parents and chick LIVE as we enjoyed our meals . The female is very attentive with its chick. She preens it and feeds both day and night. Male is also a good parent, he flies back and forth bringing food for its family.

Today, the second chick hatched in the early morning! Last night we saw the first cracks as the egg pipped. An extraordinary experience. This second chick hatched 5 days after its sibling, which means it has just a 20 % chance of survival if both chicks stay in the nest. For that reason, we remove first chick and brought it to the house. We will put it back in about three weeks as soon as its younger sibling has opened its eyes.

Both

First "Family picture" on "Molinero" nest. Second chick hatched 5 days after First one, so it chances of survival were very low (just 20%).

chicks are in very good condition. Both are fat little guys that weight way above average. Such good parents they have!

For us, it is such a pleasure to be able to work here on this project to help develop the techniques that can help both of these siblings survive. Thank you very much for your support of this project!


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About This Project

Wild Scarlet Macaw populations are declining due to the illegal trade and habitat loss. Although Scarlet Macaws lay 2-4 eggs, macaw parents will only feed the 1st and 2nd chick, while the others starve to death. We will develop techniques to increase survival of these chicks by moving them into new nests with no chicks, or only 1 chick. Our research suggests that the new parents will adopt and care for their new chicks, allowing them to reach maturity and fledge from the nest.

Blast off!

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