Peru
Scarlet Macawat clay lick (Ara macao)
The Scarlet Macaws come to a lick which has been constructed, close to the lodge. They are part of the conservation programme, where the second egg (sometimes a third) from Macaw nests is removed by the rangers. The chicks from the second or third eggs usually die, as the birds only raise one chick. The eggs are incubated and the Macaws are raised in captivity, before being released back into the forest. The birds become used to the clay lick as they are raised, returning as adult wild birds when they are released. As the hide is quite close to the lick, visitors get great views of the birds.
The Scarlet Macaws come to a lick which has been constructed, close to the lodge. They are part of the conservation programme, where the second egg (sometimes a third) from Macaw nests is removed by the rangers. The chicks from the second or third eggs usually die, as the birds only raise one chick. The eggs are incubated and the Macaws are raised in captivity, before being released back into the forest. The birds become used to the clay lick as they are raised, returning as adult wild birds when they are released. As the hide is quite close to the lick, visitors get great views of the birds.