Group 6 Copy 250
0

An Unexpected Chick Switch in Tambopata

Latest update from the field.

The first chick that we brought from the nest and have been hand feeding in the research station looks good and healthy. It is gaining weight as expected.

However, the second chick, the one that stayed in the nest with its macaw parents, is gaining weight less than expected and it is facing a recurring bot-fly infestation. So far we have removed 8 bot-flies from different parts of its body. Two of them from the nose area and one from near the left eye Both parents are feeding the chick frequently and the chick does not look lethargic or dehydrated… yet.

Due to these problems, we have decided to switch chicks. We brought second chick to research station and put first chick back in its nest. The switch will allow the second chick to recover from the botflies under the watchful eyes of the project veterinarians

Second chick of "Mandy Lu" nest learning how to be hand fed in the research center

We have high hopes that we can help this chick to recover and get it back in to the nest with its sibling once it is larger and stronger.

Fortunately, the first chick was immediately accepted by its parents when we put it back. Female started preen it and feed it after just two minutes!! We will continued monitoring the nest with our video system but we are sure the chick will do great now that it is back with its parents.

Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of this macaw family!


0 comment

Join the conversation!Sign In

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!

Browse Other Projects on Experiment

Related Projects

Wormfree World - Finding New Cures

Hookworms affect the lives of more than 400,000,000 men, women and children around the world. The most effective...

Viral Causes of Lung Cancer

We have special access to blood specimens collected from more than 9,000 cancer free people. These individuals...

Cannibalism in Giant Tyrannosaurs

This is the key question we hope to answer with this study. This project is to fund research into a skull...

Backer Badge Funded

Add a comment