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Reintroduction of the Scarlet Macaw in the Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Mary Lynn Perry We have exciting news! Five breeding pairs of scarlet macaws were released back into the wild recently at Barcelo's Zoo Criadero in Los Delfines, Tambor. It has been established by scientific studies of the area that there is ample food & habitat for the re-introduction of this species in our area. In natural primal forest, these breeding pairs would seek out large dead trees in the forests, and hollow out holes in the trunks for their nests, 30 meters up or higher. Since humanity tends to cut trees down indiscriminately, the southern Nicoya peninsula has been drastically deforested since the early 1900's. ''Cobano'' is named after the huge primary forest full of mahogany (''caoba'') that blanketed the region over 40 years ago!!! Even nowadays, when a tree is killed by lightning or disease, humanity's first impulse is to cut it down, especially if it is a tropical hardwood species used for fine lumber. The community needs to be aware of the lack of suitable nesting trees for the scarlet macaw and other large bird species, in order to prevent further destruction of these important habitat trees. Please don't eliminate dead trees on your property, unless they endanger dwellings (dead-fall) or construction sites. For trees that block views, you can just prune off the lower branches to create view underneath the canopy higher up. Cutting ANY trees with a diameter of more than 9 inches, (28 centimers, ) requires a permit from MINAE. So please think twice before cutting down trees, live or dead. 
Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary is currently researching the best design for nesting boxes for the scarlet macaw and other bird species. Curu park is already using one design that seems to be working well.
If you'd like more information about putting up artificial nesting habitats for the macaws on your property, call us and discuss your ideas with us. The scarlet macaw usually nests in the dryer months, but can be found nesting any time of year. Rainsong can also help with the identifications of tree species existing on your property. Also, we are researching an extensive list of the trees suitable for food & habitat for the macaw. Following is a preliminary list of native trees that provide favorite fruits for the scarlet macaw. Plant as many as you can on your property to nurture this new group of hope for extinct and/or disappearing bird species in our area. Palma Real and other palm nuts Almendro Montana (mountain almond) Almendro Playa (beach almond) Zapotes Papaturi Manzana Agua (water apple) Balsa Jabillo Gallinazo Aguacatilla (wild avocado) Papaya Corn Sunflower Bananas/Plantain Limestone Blocks for their mineral needs GET CLOSE TO NATURE AND ENJOY !!!!!! Mary Lynn Perry at Rainsong |
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