A first description of the nest behavior of the red and green macaw (Ara chloropterus) (a case study)

We made video and audio recordings of two adult and two immature red and green macaws in a cliff nest in the Brazilian Cerrado on 6 days when the chicks were estimated to be 25 to 83 days old. Recordings were made for 2 h on the first day and across the 12 h of daylight on the remaining 5 days. We observed both parents feeding and preening chicks, adults and chicks vocalizing, and the onset of grasping behaviors involving foot and beak by chicks a few weeks before fledging. One or both adults were in the nest for about half of daylight hours. Chicks vocalized far more often than adults. Chicks' motor development appeared to be similar to that described for red and green macaws in captivity, although opportunities for movement differed, and age at fledging was similar to Ara glaucogularis. These rare direct observations of nest behavior in wild macaws can inform efforts to conserve or reintroduce these birds.

Automated summary

We made video and audio recordings of red and green macaws in a nest in Brazil, documenting their behaviors such as feeding, preening, and vocalizing. These direct observations provide valuable insights for the conservation and reintroduction of these birds.