The Great Green Macaw: A Critically Endangered Species and Efforts to Save It
The Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) is a majestic and colorful bird native to Costa Rica. This bird is part of a well-known family of tropical birds: the Psittacidae which includes other well-known parrot species including the Scarlet Macaw, the Great Green’s red counterpart. If you have ever seen a macaw, parrot, or parakeet, you know how beautiful and charismatic they are. They are always a treat to see in the wild. Unfortunately, this particular parrot species is disappearing and needs our help.
Its distribution covers 6 Latin American countries: Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador, but in Costa Rica, this species has a limited presence, concentrated on the Caribbean slope. Less than 1,000 adult individuals remain in the wild across these 6 countries, making them critically endangered (IUCN). The cause of their decline is attributed to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trafficking. Macaw Recovery Network is working to address these threats, through habitat restoration and environmental education. Meanwhile, more birds are needed in the wild!
Macaws have a slow life history, meaning that it takes them longer to grow a population naturally. Great Green Macaws don’t reach sexual maturity until 4-6 years old, and it may take even longer for them to find a partner. Once they find a partner, they will only raise 1-3 chicks per year. When a population is healthy, this slow life history isn’t a problem at all. But when the population is threatened, their slow life history is a barrier to their recovery. This is why reintroductions are needed, to help them grow their numbers in the wild quicker and prevent their extinction.
What is a Wildlife Reintroduction?
Faced with the growing decline of species such as the Great Green Macaw, authorities and conservation organizations have developed strategies such as the reintroduction of wild fauna. This process consists of releasing individuals of a species that have been bred in captivity, in areas where they once lived naturally. The idea is to reestablish a viable population, thus contributing to the recovery of the species.
In Costa Rica, this process must strictly follow the guidelines established by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and the Wildlife Conservation Law of Costa Rica and its Regulations. This ensures that reintroduction is carried out in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.
This group of Great Green Macaws were bred in captivity at MRN’s breeding center in Punta Islita. Their parents are birds that have been rescued from the pet trade and are unable to be released into the wild due to a learned dependence on people or physical impairments that would have negatively impacted their chances of survival. MRN works hard to provide the most enriching environments possible with high quality diets so they can have the best life possible in captivity. While it’s sad they will never know what it’s like to be truly wild, they get to contribute to the survival of their species by forming partner bonds and raising chicks, just like they would in the wild.
Chicks are fully dependent on their parents for about 4 to 6 months. When they begin eating independently and are exploring on their own, they are weaned from their parents and moved into a large flight aviary with other young birds getting ready for life in the wild. Here, they receive flight, foraging, and predator aversion training to ensure they can be independent from human care. When they are ready, they get a final check from the vet to ensure they are healthy, and then they are transported to their release site in Chachagua.
Why reintroduce Great Green Macaws in Chachagua?
There are a lot of things to consider when finding a place to reintroduce a species, and Chachagua hit all of our criteria for the Great Green Macaw. First and foremost, Chachagua is included in the species’ natural range, meaning that they lived in the area prior to their population decline. As you can see from the map, there are a lot of places in their natural range, so why was Chachagua chosen above all the others? It’s not enough to be part of the natural range if the conditions in that area are no longer suitable. For example, an area might be part of their natural range but no longer contains any forest for them to live or the area is too densely populated by people. Fortunately for the Great Green Macaw, places like Chachagua still exist and are ready to welcome them home. Here are the criteria we used to choose Chachagua as the forever home for this group of Great Green Macaws:
Historical distribution range: Chachagua is part of the Great Green Macaw’s natural range, meaning that they lived in the area prior to their population decline.
Organized and committed community: In Chachagua, the community is already aware and committed to environmental conservation, which increases the chances of success.
Suitable environmental conditions: The temperature, precipitation and other natural factors of the area are perfect for the species. This is a habitat that they were born to thrive in.
Local biodiversity: There are more than 3,000 plant species in the region, including trees that are key to the feeding and shelter of the Great Green Macaw.
Forest connectivity: Chachagua has a large forest cover that facilitates the movement of birds and their connection with other forest areas, which is vital for their long-term survival. Not only is there habitat in close proximity to where they will be released, but plenty of area for their population to grow into overtime.
What should I do if I encounter a Great Green Macaw?
Nature is best protected when we are able to coexist with it. We want you to enjoy the presence of your new winged neighbors, but keep them safe too. Here are some tips for coexisting with Great Green Macaws:
Respect their space: If you see a Great Green Macaw in the wild, keep your distance. These Macaws are large enough that you can easily see them playing in the treetops a good distance away. While it’s tempting to get closer to them, it’s better for them to have plenty of room to explore their habitat without fear of people getting too close.
Don’t feed them: Although it may seem like a good idea, feeding any wildlife not only disrupts their natural behavior, but can also put their health at risk. Don’t worry, these birds have been well trained to find food on their own! And MRN staff are closely monitoring them in the field just in case.
Avoid loud noises: Fireworks and other loud noises can scare and stress birds. Please do not shout at the birds and always be mindful of wildlife when making noise outdoors.
Report illegal activities: If you witness any illegal capture or sale of macaws, report it to local authorities or the Macaw Recovery Network.
Protect their habitat: Protecting existing habitat has never been more important. Please do your part to keep ecosystems healthy by not littering, polluting, or disrupting the habitat. If you own land with ancient trees or fruiting plants, please refrain from cutting these down as they may be used as food or nesting sources.
A Collective Effort for Conservation
The work to save the Great Green Macaw is a collective effort that requires the collaboration of governments, local communities, conservation organizations, and citizens like you. If we all do our part, we can ensure that these beautiful birds continue to fly the skies of Costa Rica and other countries in the region, preserving not only their beauty, but also their vital role in the ecosystem.
Remember, conservation is not just a task for a few, but a commitment for everyone. Let’s help the Great Green Macaw continue to be a symbol of our country’s biodiversity!
Want to learn more? Click here to learn more about the Great Green Macaw and the other species that MRN works to protect!