BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAWS BUILD NEST IN EXOTIC PALM TREE

A pair of blue-and-yellow macaws is in the early stage of their reproductive cycle, during which they select a tree to build their nest.

The species (Ara ararauna) fled from droughts and forest fires and, in recent years, found refuge in cities across Mato Grosso do Sul, especially in the capital, Campo Grande, where they have become a symbol of the city.

In the process known as nidification, the birds remove all material from inside the palm trunk to create a cavity that will serve as a nest for their eggs.

They generally prefer dead palm trees, as they are softer and easier to excavate. The macaws chose an imperial palm, an exotic species widely used in the city’s landscaping.

According to Larissa Tinoco, biologist, PhD and researcher at the Arara Azul institute, most macaws begin reproducing in July. They typically lay three eggs and incubate them for around 26 days.

After that period, the chicks are entirely dependent on the parents for food and remain in the nest for about 90 days. On average, two chicks survive per clutch.

“Even after they fledge, they still rely on their parents for feeding and stay with them for about a year until they learn to fend for themselves”, the researcher explains.

Although they have found refuge from environmental threats, macaws continue to face urban challenges, such as the risk of being hit by vehicles or colliding with buildings. However, the main threat remains accidents involving power lines.