The Tambopata Macaw Project marks a milestone for science and conservation in Peru with the publication of the scientific paper “Temporal Dynamics of Parental Behavior and Nest Use in Ara chloropterus and Ara macao at an Artificial Nest Box in Peru.” This represents the first study conducted in the country and only the second worldwide to document, through continuous monitoring, the parental behavior of the Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloropterus) under natural conditions.
The study was conducted at the Tambopata Research Center ecolodge operated by Rainforest Expeditions, in partnership with the Natural History Museum of the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM). It involved researchers Letty Salinas and César Arana, specialists in the implementation of CITES for birds in Peru. Integrating behavioral ecology, non-invasive monitoring technology, and quantitative analysis, the research was developed by Jaemy Romero Herrada, Scientific Coordinator of the Tambopata Macaw Project, with the support of Bruno Díaz and Eduardo Nycander, founder of Rainforest Expeditions and designer of the artificial nest boxes.
The research was carried out within the framework of the projects “MACAW UNMSM,” funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and by the Vice Rectorate for Research and Graduate Studies of the National University of San Marcos, and “ECOTECH MACAW Integrating Ecology, Technology, Museomics, and Population Genetics in the Study of Macaws,” funded by PROCIENCIA CONCYTEC for the 2025 to 2028 period and implemented in partnership with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
This work represents one of the most comprehensive studies to date on the reproductive biology of large Amazonian macaws, encompassing 186 consecutive days of observation and covering the entire breeding cycle from nest occupation to chick fledging. The duration and depth of monitoring provide insight into dynamics that have been scarcely documented until now due to the inaccessibility of natural nests and the sensitivity of these species to human disturbance.
What Does the Research Reveal?
Using motion-activated video cameras, researchers analyzed more than 2,200 audiovisual records, identifying 17 distinct behaviors grouped into seven functional categories, including vigilance, parental care, pair cohesion, and nest defense.
Results show that the breeding pair of Ara chloropterus significantly modifies its behavior throughout the reproductive cycle. During the initial stages, exploratory behavior, pair interaction, and territorial defense predominate. As the breeding period progresses, time spent inside the nest and sentinel-type vigilance increase markedly, peaking during incubation and early chick rearing. In the final stages, movements associated with chick provisioning become more frequent.
A key finding is that behaviors such as allopreening remain constant throughout the reproductive process, suggesting that pair bond reinforcement is essential to sustaining a long and energetically demanding breeding cycle.
The study also documents interactions between two macaw species using the same artificial nest at the beginning of the season. While the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) actively inspected the nest early on, its presence declined as the Red-and-green Macaw breeding advanced, supporting ecological hypotheses regarding the advantage of resident individuals over competitors in contexts of limited resources.
Artificial Nests and Conservation
The research demonstrates that artificial nests designed to mimic natural cavities can facilitate the successful reproduction of the Red-and-green Macaw, offering an effective alternative in the face of declining natural nesting sites. These birds depend on cavities in emergent trees such as shihuahuacos (Dipteryx spp.), which can take more than 300 years to develop suitable nesting hollows. Selective logging has drastically reduced the availability of such trees. In this context, artificial nests emerge as a key conservation tool, provided their implementation is supported by long-term scientific monitoring.
Science, Technology, and Conservation in Tambopata
The Tambopata Macaw Project is part of the Wired Amazon program and employs tools such as MacawCam, enabling remote observation and recording of macaw reproductive behavior. This approach integrates scientific research, public outreach, and environmental education.
With this publication, the Tambopata Macaw Project strengthens Peru’s position as an international reference in applied research for Amazonian conservation, demonstrating how long term science, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships can generate tangible impacts for biodiversity protection.
About the Tambopata Macaw Project and Rainforest Expeditions
The Tambopata Macaw Project is a long-term research initiative developed by Rainforest Expeditions in the Tambopata National Reserve, focused on studying and monitoring the reproduction of Amazonian macaws through applied science and non-invasive technology. With 36 years of experience, Rainforest Expeditions integrates scientific research, conservation, and responsible tourism to generate knowledge, protect biodiversity, and actively contribute to the conservation of the Peruvian Amazon.