Large Macaws - Part of the Kabalebo family!

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!