My life certainly took an unexpected turn this year. After graduating with an honors degree in wildlife ecology and then dedicating a year of my life to teaching in an underserved area, I have spent the last 8 months living in rural Costa Rica. Why, you may ask? It was all about macaw conservation! I was fortunate to obtain an internship at the Macaw Recovery Network, a conservation organization based in Costa Rica that is committed to conserving endangered Scarlet and Great Green Macaws. Both of these parrots are native to Costa Rica and have faced the threats of habitat destruction and poaching.
My internship was at the breeding center in Islita, a quaint little town nestled between the beautiful forests and beaches of Guanacaste Province. The breeding center Iay in a secluded spot surrounded by forest, and we were often visited by coatis, monkeys, tamanduas, iguanas (or garrobos, as they are referred to in Costa Rica), and even the occasional Margay, an elusive wild feline. With over 100 birds on site, the songs of macaws combined with the symphony of cicadas and Magpie Jays to fill my days with a cacophony of sounds. I arrived in the beginning of January, well into the dry season-I saw no rain for many months. However, in true “pure vida” spirit, respite came in the form of cool coconut water, gathered by our hands from the shores close by. It was as such that I began this adventure that would span nearly a year.
My quest upon entering this internship was to delve deeper into the mysteries of parrot behavior, anatomy, breeding, and care. This was a journey which I undertook daily, from providing the birds with tailored diets, maintaining aviaries, crafting enrichment, and learning to care for young chicks as they grew. Monthly visits by the veterinarian proved to be enlightening to say the least, as I learned about everything from the basics of parrot care to more specialized instances, like cyst removals, gavage feeding, sample collection, and administering medication and anesthesia. The most fascinating and fulfilling part of my internship, however, was getting to know each bird. Macaws are incredibly intelligent, and each one has their own unique personality, a fact that became even more apparent as the temperament and needs of the birds changed throughout the various stages of the breeding season. It felt magical, opening the nest to see the first egg that had been laid, and even more so to find the first chick that had hatched! (Click here to see this season’s chicks up close)
When I wasn’t tending to the birds, I filled my time with a plethora of other things. I searched for snakes (and found PLENTY!), learned to surf, and practiced my Spanish- a LOT! I lived with and came to know a curious group of people, all from different countries and backgrounds, and we often spent time drinking coffee together at the locally-owned pulperia. We even spent one night watching sea turtles nesting on the beach!
Overall, my internship at the MRN was tough, yet incredibly fulfilling. I achieved my aim of understanding parrot behavior and care and witnessed numerous chicks mature until they were ready to fly. However, my experience at the MRN offered more than just parrot knowledge – I contributed to genuine conservation efforts and had a tangible impact. My experiences here will stay with me for a lifetime.
Kira Cates
Graduated Breeding Center Intern
Do you want to volunteer and take care of chicks like these, while immersing yourself in Costa Rican culture? Click here to learn more about our volunteer opportunities or email us at volunteer@macawrecoverynetwork.org!
