Rainforest Expeditions presents Macaw Cam, the first live stream from artificial nests of wild macaws inside the Tambopata National Reserve, in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, offering a unique real-time window into the reproductive lives of these iconic Amazonian birds. Through this live broadcast, audiences around the world can observe macaw pairs interacting inside the nest, incubating eggs, and raising their chicks during one of the most dynamic periods in the tropical rainforest: the rainy season.
The rainy season also marks the macaw breeding season, when the forest is rich in fruit and birds begin their reproductive cycle. Macaw Cam broadcasts from two artificial nests, allowing viewers to observe different stages of the life cycle:
- One nest with a macaw pair in the reproductive phase, where viewers can follow pre-laying behavior and incubation.
- A second nest with an active chick, where viewers can witness parental care, feeding, and interactions between the parents and the chick.
To ensure a continuous experience, Rainforest Expeditions prioritizes the live feed from the nest with the chick. However, due to the extreme and remote conditions at the location, including heavy rains and limited connectivity, the signal may occasionally be interrupted. In such cases, the transmission will switch to the second nest, ensuring that audiences always have access to the intimate lives of these macaws.
Beyond live images, Macaw Cam offers an immersive soundscape of the Amazon rainforest: birdsong, tropical rain, and the serenity of pristine wilderness. This live stream can accompany people’s daily lives around the world, bringing the calm and natural rhythm of the Amazon into homes, offices, and educational spaces.
“We are talking about a live broadcast from one of the most remote places in the Peruvian Amazon. After multiple tests, we have managed to connect people from around the world with the rainforest from the comfort of their homes. We still face challenges, such as weather conditions that can occasionally disrupt the signal, but the innovation is significant, and our passion to share these extraordinary birds with the world is even greater,” said Eduardo Nycander, founder of Rainforest Expeditions.
The innovation is significant, and our passion to share these extraordinary birds with the world is even greater. - Eduardo Nycander
The artificial nests are part of decades of research by the Tambopata Macaw Project, led by Eduardo Nycander, founder of Rainforest Expeditions, together with Letty Salinas and César Arana, researchers affiliated with the Natural History Museum of the National University of San Marcos and CITES bird experts in Peru, with macaws as one of their main study groups. The project is developed in alliance with ProCiencia, CONCYTEC, SERNANP, and AIDER. This long-term scientific effort aims to improve macaw reproductive success in response to the loss of large old-growth trees traditionally used for nesting.
These nests have been made possible thanks to the generosity of Rainforest Expeditions guests who support the project; in particular, both nests featured in Macaw Cam were donated by Mario Corvetto, as part of his commitment to Amazon conservation.
Macaw Cam is part of Wired Amazon, Rainforest Expeditions’ science-based experience program that integrates research, technology, and guest engagement, allowing travelers and a global audience to connect with real scientific work in the Peruvian Amazon. This live stream brings the rainforest to a worldwide audience while strengthening environmental education and awareness about the importance of Amazonian biodiversity.
The live stream is available at:
https://www.wiredamazon.com/macaw-cam/