 About half a year ago I bought a Spotting scope to look at wildlife for a long time. Especially when I like to spot birds, this device comes in handy. Here I spotted a couple of Scarlet Macaws inside the rainforest. They were resting during the day and since it was also a warm day, they decided to hide under the shades of the trees.  This Spotting Scope also had an adapter to make it possible to take pictures with this scope. It looks like these Macaws were right nearby but in reality they were in one of the highest/tallest trees in the Amazon rainforest. It was such a treat for me to look at these marvelous animals without getting a stiff neck and shaky hands by holding my binocular for so long. You may also like my first article of my digiscope life:  These Red-fan Parrots skillfully avoid the thorns of this Awarra Palm tree. Can you do that too? I certainly can't.
 Chestnut-fronted Macaws are known as mini macaws. They are frequently heard and often seen flying as a group in Kabalebo and they are also great in being one with nature.
 The Painted Parakeet (Pyrrhura picta) is the smallest of the Parrot family (22 cm). A common bird but due to its size and secretive behavior, also one of the most difficult to photograph.
 The Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) is a medium sized parrot, one that is frequently heard than seen. But once 'discovered' you will certainly enjoy its presence too.
 In the month May, 2015, I volunteered for nearly 3 weeks for the Tambopata Macaw project at the Tambopata Research Centre, Peru. The main reason was/is understanding the macaws and parrots of the Amazon. It was a remarkable journey!
 Undisturbed rain forests, food in abundance and plenty of space for nesting…... when people think of the Amazon, they most likely think of Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. Luckily for us in Suriname, Kabalebo is also a 'member' of the Amazon. This gives us the rare opportunity to also observe and enjoy for e.g. Large Macaws and Parrots. These birds are undeniably automatically connected with the Amazon. Here is an update on the Parrots of Kabalebo:
A couple of months ago I wrote about the Large Macaw family. They are easy to recognize as they are colorful and noisy large birds. Today I like to write about a smaller family: Parrots. Just like the Large Macaws, parrots are also social birds, living and foraging in large noisy groups. But unlike the Large Macaws they aren't easy to spot. Thanks to their 'camouflaged' uniform it took me years to identify some of the parrots. Since they have mastered being 'one' with the leaves, I was 'forced' to train both my eye sight and hearing. As I am still in training, I shall write about some of the parrots I was able to identify, photograph and recognize:
Red - fan Parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus) - here it is showing why it is called the Red-fan Parrot.
Red - fan Parrots eating berries together.
Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) eating fruit from the Inga tree.
Caica Parrot (Pionopsitta caica) - this one 'moved' so I was able to 'spot' it.
Mealy Amazon (Amazona farinosa) having lunch
Identifying these parrots was time consuming for me. Especially when they were playing games with me by hiding between the leaves or by flying away quickly. But it is also a great challenge to discipline myself to keep on going. A challenge I am willing to accept.
I'll keep you posted! In Kabalebo I've spotted over more then 300 bird species. Large macaws were amongst the very first that I could easily identify and recognize. Large Macaws are the giants of the parrot family. Here in Kabalebo you can spot the following macaws: - Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara Ararauna): they thank their name by the colors they carry (blue on the back and yellow up front) - Scarlet Macaw (Ara Macao): easy to identify by the colors on their wings, which is red/yellow/blue - Red-and-Green Macaw (Ara Chloropterus): they almost look the same like the Scarlet but a closer look at their wings shows differently (red/green/blue) and they have red lines in their faces, the Scarlets' face is clean white. I've always seen them traveling in pairs or in groups. Social animals taking care of each other. They are easy to spot as they are very noisy and colorful big birds. Large Macaws are often spotted in Inga trees, Podosiri palms, Maripa palms and the Kumbu palms. They often eat quietly only betraying their presence/position by dropping half eaten berries and nuts. No Clay licks! During the past years, I haven't spotted any clay licks in Kabalebo. It is said that the macaws and parrots need this extra mineral for their diet, this is to help digest the unripe fruit/nuts. It is possible that they don't need this extra mineral in Kabalebo, but I'm still searching ....... Endangered ..... Large Macaws are also on the endangered species list, first of all because of deforestation. Second, because they are being hunted down for their beautiful colorful feathers. Third: captivity. Hatchlings are being taken out from their nest, the younger they are, the easier to keep them in captivity. To reach the nest easily, trees are being cut down, which of course destroys their breeding cycle (it is known that Large Macaws re-use the same nests every year) ..... but .... Luckily those who live in Kabalebo don't have to suffer of any of the above mentioned. So I am fortunate (again) to see them in the wild ........ enjoying and living their life like they suppose to do. Large Macaws are one of the most recognizable wild birds in the jungle: noisy, social and colorful. Without their presence the jungle is not the same. Here are some colorful pictures of the Large Macaws. I certainly enjoy their presence every time they pass by. It is unimaginable not to enjoy their presence. Hope you agree with me too. Enjoy!! 
Blue-and-Yellow Macaws just before landing. Notice the bright beautiful colors their feathers display.
A group of Scarlet Macaws getting very social. On a sunny day it is impossible NOT to see them.
Red-and-Green Macaws eating Maripa nuts. With their powerful beaks they can crack the outer layer easily. Notice how they use their claws to hold their food while eating.
Scarlet Macaws in front of their nest hole. The Large Macaws re-use the same nests every year.
Blue-and-Yellow Macaw eating Podosiri berries.
Red-and-Green Macaws passing by. Over the past years I have taken many pictures of these magnificent birds, but still can't get enough from them.
Scarlet Macaws eating Podosiri berries. When they have found their food source they stay until the last berry is eaten, giving you the opportunity to see them for quite a while.
Another picture of Scarlet Macaws. Beautiful color display.
This was a nice surprise for me: while they were eating Maripa nuts, one of the Red-and-Green Macaws dropped its food. It flew down, picked it up and walked a little bit with its Maripa nut still in its beak. Beautiful!
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