Scarlet Macaw

A little-noted 2011 success story: A "bumper crop" of scarlet macaws in Guatemala.

Photo By: WCS Guatemala Program

Guatemala marked a little-noticed success story in 2011: A "bumper crop of magnificent scarlet macaw fledglings," as the Wildlife Conservation Society put it. At least 29 macaws fledged from just 24 nests in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, some with the help of biologists at the Bronx Zoo (owned by the Wildlife Conservation Society). That represents a nearly 10% increase in the bird's population in Guatemala.

"The success in increasing the nesting success of scarlet macaws through intensive chick management and fostering is a great step forward for macaw conservation," said WCS Conservationist Rony Garcia. "We believe the lessons learned can not only help save the scarlet macaw in Guatemala, but be extended to help other threatened species of parrots and cavity nesters across the globe."

One of the world's largest parrot species, the scarlet macaw is at risk from both the loss of forest habitats and from poaching for the pet trade.

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