Rainforest Expeditions (est. 1989) operates three award winning Amazon lodges: Posada Amazonas, Refugio Amazonas, and Tambopata Research Center. Each Amazon lodge provides access to a unique set of ecotourism experiences in the jungle of southeastern Peru.
Our packages include activities comprised of aspects of nature and culture of the Amazon rainforest. We offer a variety of special interest activities, tours and expeditions like Soft Adventure, Birdwatching expeditions, Family and more...
Blue and yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)
Photo: Theo Allofs
Name: Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Local name: Ararauna, Guacamayo azul y amarillo
Scientific name: Ara Ararauna
Characteristics:
1 Size 81 to 87 cm.
2 Body blue and yellow.
3 White face with black lines.
4 Black beak.
Habitat and behavior: Found in humid lowland subtropical rain forests, open woodlands, river edges, and savannas. Usually flying in pairs or family groups.
Diet: Blue-and-yellow macaws use their powerful beak to break nutshells and aguaje palm fruits, as well as for climbing up and hanging from trees. They feed on a variety of fruits, seeds and flowers.
Reproduction habits: The Blue-and-yellow macaw generally mates for life. It nests in tree cavities mainly in aguaje palms (Mauritia sp). The female typically lays two or three eggs. It incubates the eggs for about 28 days, and the chicks (generally one chick) fledge from the nest about 90 days after hatching. Sexual maturity is reached after 2 – 4 years.
Curiosities: The female macaw incubates the eggs and cares for chicks while the male feeds her. Blue-and-yellow macaw populations suffer from habitat loss and black market pet trade. Recent studies in Tambopata are showing that these birds fly seasonally as far as Bolivia or Brazil. Tambopata is known for harboring a healthy population of macaws.
