Area of Study: Blue Head Macaw

My project is focused on the blue headed macaw, an endangered amazon bird. This species occurs in Peru, especially in the Madre de Díos region and in small parts of Brazil and Bolivia. It eats mainly fruits and flowers and use specific trees for nesting, such as the shihuahuacos and palm trees. The species gather alongside parrot and parakeets every morning to consume clay at the clay lick, an important source of sodium. My guide was Noe Huaraca, a researcher that works on the Inkaterra Asociacíon NGO. This organization has lands next to the Madre de Díos river and focus on ecoturism, research and conservation within its lands. They’ve already registered 548 bird species in the last 10 years. The main method used is the point counting, where Noe stays around 10 minutes in each point registering every bird he sees ou hear. The blue headed macaws are facing some treats in the region, especially after the opening of the Transoceanica highway. This huge road brings easier access for illegal goldmining, animal trafficking and deforestation. If it’s not controlled, this scenario can create unconnected forest fragments that can lead to a great loss of animals and, consequently of the forest.