Research Reports

Alan Lee, February 2007. A few months ago I was explaining some of the finer details of why parrots and macaws visit the clay licks along the Tambopata with great regularity to a well travelled German tourist who perhaps felt an affinity for a form of wildlife with as strict a habit of time keeping as himself.

The importance of Peruvian researchers to parrot conservation Alan Lee The parrot family is one of the most enigmatic of all the bird families in the world. Yet it is surprising how little is known about them. When I first came to Peru in 2002 I had seen only the parrot that are found in South Africa, which are brown and boring and not used on marketing material in the same way as nearly every travel company and many other companies besides, use parrots or macaws as logos. In southern Africa there are only 4 species of parrot out of a total of 900 species of birds.

I was happy to read the most recent publication explaining variation in Brazil nut fruit production, which does not blame macaws and parrots for predation. Although a previous publication states that up to 10% of a crop can be lost due to predation by macaws on young fruit, the latest modelling states that production is more influenced by lianas and Phosphorus. Results suggest that fruit productivity at the individual tree level could be increased, possibly through experimental liana cutting and/or P amendments.

A summary of a publication by Donald J. Brightsmith, Director of the Tambopata Macaw Project: Title: Rainforest Expeditions and Earthwatch as funding partners for macaw (Ara spp.) Research in southeastern Peru Ecotourism has been touted as an effective way to conserve natural areas by providing employment for local people and generating income for conservation. However, ecotourism can also effectively support scientific research. In addition, working with paying volunteers can provide funding and manpower for research projects.