The Ara or Scarlet Macaws are the largest parrot in the world!
Courtesy of Kokopelli Tours
With about 32 inches from head to tail, the Ara or Scarlet Macaws are the largest parrot in the world.
Due to loss of habitat and the illegal pet trade, they were nearly extinguished. In Sierpe, we planted many tropical almond trees.
Almonds, fruits, seeds and berries are the Scarlet Macaw ́s favorite food. Thanks to the ample food offered, we have a constantly growing population, especially in Sierpe.
During the mating season, you will observe flocks with up to twenty individuals. They usually travel in pairs, staying together all their lives.
They talk a lot and can be quite noisy. Only their loud chatter reveals that they are feasting in the almond trees since some of the leaves are the same color as their bright red plumage. With relish, they can eat as many as twenty almonds during one meal, once in a while pronouncing a satisfied quack quack (that’s why kids here call them the quack-quacks).
Sometime they clean each other’s plumage, sometimes they seem to fight and screech at each other, but they always talk it out.
They choose to nest in the cavities of dead trees, laying one or two eggs. Both parents take care of the nest and the young birds. Once they are three months old they learn to fly, and still stay with their family for another year.
Guacamayas mature at an age of five years, and then they start a new family.
It is very hard to distinguish between male and female.
They have the same beautiful colorings and are similar in size. Although you can observe plenty of ara dancing on one tree, it is very rare to find macaws feathers, which used to be of importance in the Boruca tradition.
Don’t miss the amazing display of a lapa ballet which can be observed on one of our Mangrove Wildlife Tours now, during mating season.
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